The death of George Floyd, the loss of lives subsequently, and the unfolding events in America, the UK and around the world, are a salutary reminder of the ongoing evil of racism in our society. The Black Lives Matter Movement is helping all organisations and institutions to reflect upon the part they have to play in addressing systemic racism and lack of equality and diversity across the BAME community, and helping to create a more tolerant and inclusive world.
Racism is never acceptable. As a school community, we work hard to be an inclusive, welcoming ‘Family Achieving Excellence’. This means we treasure our diversity across all ethnic groups and religions and try, in all we do, to show a commitment to equality. We have a collective responsibility to show courtesy to each other, to behave respectfully when we disagree and to demonstrate a living commitment to a community in which ignorance and prejudice is never tolerated.
Yet we recognise that no school or institution is free of racist behaviour, whether unconscious or deliberate, and there are no grounds for complacency.
Schools have a key role in promoting understanding and in developing children, and young adults, into responsible citizens. As a Church of England school, we give our wholehearted support and commitment to The Church of England Vision for Education (2016) to “offer a safe and welcoming place for all God’s children”. Such a commitment extends to people from all faith traditions as well as to those who have none.
Our School Council has a responsibility to play a key role in giving all students, of whatever background, a voice. Please contribute your thoughts, experiences and reflections to this group, and so help to ensure that the experience of all students is consistent with our values. To do so, please contact Mr Stubbs at stubbs.j@kings.peterborough.sch.uk or a student representative, and help us to ensure our commitment to these principles continues to be firmly embedded in our school culture.
We will update this statement to reflect discussion currently taking place with students and staff.
Mr D Ayling
Headteacher
June 2020
