Seaford’s Inclusion Week comprised of videos from our Head Girl and Head Boy along with Senior Prefects, to create awareness about marginalised groups in society, they chose the themes and filmed the videos.  This week was followed by Personal Development lessons with Head of Politics, Alison Thomas, about the International Women’s Day message #ChooseToChallenge.

This is Alison's Personal Development lesson presentation:

 

Headmaster, John Green said: “This week we have had a special focus in our Personal Development lessons regarding the importance of ‘Inclusion’ in society. This is, of course, an incredibly important topic that needs, to be discussed and fully reviewed by our students and the entire Seaford community. I must say my staff has been just so impressed by how our students have embraced some excellent and proactive discussions during lessons involving how we can be more inclusive to various marginalised groups in society.   As a community we #ChooseToChallenge discrimination based on gender, race and faith, disability, those suffering from mental health issues and discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community.  I would like to thank Mrs Lara Stitt and Miss Alison Thomas for all their tremendous work they did in compiling some fascinating and thought-provoking resources.” 

Lara Stitt, Director of Girls’ Provision said: “Thank you to our Head Girl and Head Boy along with Senior Prefects, for choosing the themes and filming the videos we posted for our Inclusion Week. In the Personal Development presentation, Alison Thomas used her Historical and Political knowledge to show just how far society has changed, whilst highlighting how vital and beneficial diversity is in schools, workplaces and in all aspects of society.  Alison’s presentation has really opened a wealth of discussion among all our students, which shows the importance and necessity of our Personal Development sessions. They are a fantastic platform to educate our students and listen to their voice. As Director of Girls, I am delighted that our students are passionate about discussing the issues for these marginalised groups. Each individual group introduced in this presentation (Gender, Race, Religion, Disability, Mental Health, LGBTQ+) deserves a whole lesson to begin unpicking the issues raised. Learning about it is one thing; implementing it is another. Putting our positive words into action is the way we can measure its impact and we can all #ChooseToChallenge.”

There have been some really positive suggestions and discussions leading on from this Personal Development session.

Samuel Hirst’s Year 12 tutor group said they would #ChooseToChallenge:

• I will choose to look at facts, not stereotypes
• I will challenge racial stereotypes
• I will raise awareness of harassment
• I will challenge jokes that go too far

He said: “The presentation raised discussion about some career choices for men and women. There was some debate about whether men and women should have the same entry requirements for certain jobs (e.g. fire fighters and military). While there was disagreement at times, it was a polite discussion and everyone agreed on the idea of equality of opportunity regarding jobs.” Year 9 Tutor, Femi Adeniran, said: "I thought the lesson was brilliant! I really enjoyed the presentation and learnt a lot myself.” Salma El Amin’s Year 11 tutor group came up with these statements that they then discussed:

• Believe the victim don’t blame them
• Helping women/girls in uncomfortable situations

Year 9 Tutor, Kevin Finniear, said: “There was a lot of discussion around positive discrimination and representation around gender and race. We are going to continue discussing the topics in our PD sessions.”

Alison Thomas concluded her presentation by reading Pastor Martin Niemöller’s powerful poem and said: “Niemöller’s poem is about the catastrophic results of not choosing to challenge and reminds us about why it is up to those who do not feel marginalised to speak up to protect those who do. It reminds us why it is so amazing to be inclusive and why we are stronger, more successful and happier if as a community we include everybody."

 

Links to the videos in the Personal Development presentation:

Pastor Martin Niemöller’s poem: https://youtu.be/4sEXWjTyAbA

Equality Act 2010: https://youtu.be/VXLtKlmtrvM

Feminism: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bbc+ideas+feminism