Students from all eleven schools met virtually in early October to form the King Edward VI Foundation Student Diversity and Equality committee which will continue to meet regularly. This came as a result of the student letter written in response to the killing of George Floyd and subsequent meeting with senior colleagues in the summer term.
The meeting was chaired by Qamar Riaz, Headteacher of King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy. The committee decided its name (Student Diversity and Equality committee) and discussed aims, expanding these beyond addressing racism to include other characteristics where discrimination is often experienced, and their intersectionality. A subcommittee has since met to draft a statement of mission and values for our ethnically diverse Foundation, which the committee plans to share across the organisation for feedback.
A staff and governor committee will also be launched this term. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) will meet termly and take responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of the Foundation’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion agenda.
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Cleopatra Mangwende, Addressing Racism Committee & Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum[/caption]
Meanwhile, work goes on at individual schools. Camp Hill Girls for instance have begun work in subject areas to further enhance the curriculum offer as well as putting plans in place for unconscious bias training. Two Year 13 students, Anjali Shingadia and Cleopatra Mangwende represent Camp Hill Girls on the Student Diversity and Equality Committee as well as leading the 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' forum of the Student Council. Cleopatra comments; "The development of the Black Lives Matter movement has been undeniably insightful. It has provided us with indispensable education on the black experience; a requisite for much-needed social change. Through my membership of the committee, and liaising with SLT, I hope to implement new strategies within the school to raise awareness of issues surrounding systemic racial inequality, microaggressions and stereotypes."
Colleagues who have an interest in supporting diversity and inclusion are also invited to contribute informally by joining the Inclusion Basecamp group.
Cleopatra Mangwende, Addressing Racism Committee & Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum[/caption]
Meanwhile, work goes on at individual schools. Camp Hill Girls for instance have begun work in subject areas to further enhance the curriculum offer as well as putting plans in place for unconscious bias training. Two Year 13 students, Anjali Shingadia and Cleopatra Mangwende represent Camp Hill Girls on the Student Diversity and Equality Committee as well as leading the 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' forum of the Student Council. Cleopatra comments; "The development of the Black Lives Matter movement has been undeniably insightful. It has provided us with indispensable education on the black experience; a requisite for much-needed social change. Through my membership of the committee, and liaising with SLT, I hope to implement new strategies within the school to raise awareness of issues surrounding systemic racial inequality, microaggressions and stereotypes."
Colleagues who have an interest in supporting diversity and inclusion are also invited to contribute informally by joining the Inclusion Basecamp group. 
