A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our commitment to ED&I is more than a strategic objective; it’s woven into the fabric of everything we do, guiding our mission to create an environment where every individual, whether student, staff, or community member, feels seen, heard, and valued. We are dedicated to making a meaningful difference where it matters most.

To keep this vital work at the forefront of our efforts, we are continuing our monthly ED&I update in Team Dixons. 

Last academic year, we took a significant step forward by conducting student focus groups across our trust. These sessions, which had a special focus on race, gave us a deeper understanding of our students' lived experiences. The insights we gathered helped us identify areas where we are succeeding and areas where we still have work to do. These focus groups were driven by findings from Edurio, and as we move forward, we will continue to seek feedback through future listening campaigns, broadening our scope to include other protected characteristics.

One of the key positive takeaways from these focus groups was the enthusiasm students shared about how our schools celebrate diversity. Students appreciated our culture days, which provide an opportunity for them to express their true selves and for their cultural and religious identities to be celebrated. Many also noted the importance of our schools recognising a wide range of cultural and religious festivals throughout the year, fostering a greater sense of belonging.

However, students also voiced areas for improvement, particularly around our approach to anti-racism. They expressed the need for more consistent and positive representation within the curriculum. They also highlighted the importance of a sensitive delivery of these topics and the need for an increased awareness of their lived experiences. Additionally, students called for clearer communication and consistency in how staff address incidents of racism, including microaggressions and comments that may be dismissed as ‘banter’ but cause harm.

Looking ahead, our next steps as a trust are clear. We will be launching an inclusive listening campaign, engaging not only with students but also with staff and families. Alongside this, we will be introducing trust-wide guidance for responding to prejudice-related incidents, ensuring that we handle these moments with the care and seriousness they deserve.

By continuing to listen actively to the voices of our communities, we will ensure that every individual feels their experiences are acknowledged, respected, and valued. Through this collaborative approach, we believe we can drive meaningful and positive change, together.