.png){kind=logo}
Diversity and Inclusion Team
At John Perryn, we are committed to ensuring that everyone in our school community feels welcome and valued. While we regularly celebrate the rich diversity of our community, we recognise that there is always more we can do to improve. Our latest initiative is the formation of the Diversity and Inclusion Team, composed of experienced John Perryn staff members. This team will collaborate on projects to support our families, particularly those seeking sanctuary in the UK. Their work will focus on raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals in the asylum system, addressing misconceptions and fostering social cohesion. We firmly believe that by supporting our families, we are empowering our children to thrive both at school and in their future endeavours. Our goal is to provide every child, regardless of their background, with the best possible start in life. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of the team’s roles.
Diversity and Inclusion Team
.JPG)
Ms. L Wright
Chair
.JPG)
Ms. N Kidan
Schools of Sanctuary Lead
.JPG)
Ms. A Lebiszczak
EAL Lead
Ms. K Oatway
Family Support Advisor
Mrs. L Grande-Diaz
EAL Teaching Assistant
Ms. L Wright
Chair
Ms. N Kidan
Schools of Sanctuary Lead
Ms. A Lebiszczak
EAL Lead
Ms. K Oatway
Family Support Advisor
Mrs. L Grande-Diaz
EAL Teaching Assistant
Diversity and Inclusion Team Bios
The School of Sanctuary Award
What is a School of Sanctuary?
A School of Sanctuary is a school that has received a Sanctuary Award from City of Sanctuary UK or a partner organisation in recognition of its good practice in fostering a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity for those seeking safety.
How will my school become a School of Sanctuary?
To become a School of Sanctuary, a school must take an intentional and reflective approach to reviewing and refining school practice in relevant areas and demonstrate that they have implemented three key principles:
- LEARN Schools help their students, staff and wider community learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the issues surrounding forced migration.
- EMBED Schools are committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits everybody, including anyone in their community seeking sanctuary and working with people seeking sanctuary to co-produce their sanctuary efforts and practice.
- SHARE Schools proudly share their values and activities with their local communities and work collaboratively to build our movement of welcome.
To support schools to achieve the three principles, there is a set of eight minimum criteria which have been structured to fit into the three overarching principles of ‘Learn, Embed, and Share’, which are used for all sanctuary awards. See here for further information about the minimum criteria.
The first step for any school wanting to work towards the award is to register their interest and affirm their commitment to the vision of welcome by signing the supporting organisation pledge. See here for a simplified summary of the next steps.
How long does it take to become a School of Sanctuary?
Every school is different and the journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary is unique — so there is no standard or expected length of time to complete the process.
Some schools may have a long history of supporting students from sanctuary seeking backgrounds, whilst some may have few – or no – students from sanctuary seeking backgrounds and have a lot to learn.
The expectation is that all schools to use the journey to become a School of Sanctuary as an intentional and reflective process, helping them to review and refine school practice and strengthen community connections and engagement. This is evident in a clear application, good engagement with the Local lead or City of Sanctuary UK contact, and in our responsiveness to constructive feedback, advice and suggestions.
In general, it is suggested that schools commit to spending at least a full academic year completing the process. As many Local Leads and City of Sanctuary UK implement application deadlines.
John Perryn Primary is hoping to achieve this award in 2025.
Halo Schools Code
John Perryn Primary is committed to working towards creating a world without hair discrimination and believe that no-one should have to change their natural hairstyle in order to thrive.
Race-based hair discrimination is illegal in the UK and hair is a protected characteristic, under the law. However, 58% of black students experience name-calling or uncomfortable questions about their hair at school. 1 in 4 black adults report that they had a negative experience when at school in relation to their hair texture. 46% of parents say that school policies penalise afro hair. World Afro Day and De Montfort University (2016) The Good Hair Study by the Perception Institute and the Hair Equality Report.
As a school, we have signed up to the Halo Code to protect the rights of black students and staff.
School Code
Our workplace champions the rights of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our black employees' racial, ethnic, cultural and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles, including but not limited to, Afros, blocs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.
At John Perryn, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues' identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality, kindness and respect, where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employees' ability to succeed.
For more information about The Halo Collective, visit their website here.
We are War Child
We were delighted to be asked to be involved in the creation of this incredibly powerful video in collaboration with War Child UK. In 2023, War Child marked 30 years of work supporting children in conflict and challenged themselves to make a film that told this story. Titled ‘We Are War Child’, the film is both a ‘story so far’ and a renewed appeal for action, raising awareness of the organisation’s international work and reaffirming its mission during a time when help is needed now more than ever.
The core inspiration for ‘We Are War Child’ comes from the idea of expression in art, which can be a powerful and calming tool for children – especially those in areas affected by war. Organised by Ross Stirling and working with filmmaker George Maguire, our children, who represent a diverse range of backgrounds from around the world feature throughout the film. Footage of the children’s mark-making was combined with footage from the organisation’s past three decades of work, highlighting the universal importance of creativity in all children’s development.
Combined with evocative wax crayon illustrations from artist Lucy Mahon, animated by James Phillips, the visual language of childhood was used to help tell this story, which was set to a powerful score by musician Ben Lovett showing the fragility of conflict. While the voiceover charts the course of War Child’s journey – touching on its unique relationship with music to raise funds and awareness – the footage intentionally puts children front and centre.
Equality Objectives
Grants for black-led community organisations
10 black-led organisations will receive £5,000 of funding thanks to a new programme to help address health inequalities in the borough.
The Ealing Roots & Wings grant programme aims to empower underrepresented voices, address health challenges and build stronger, more inclusive communities within the borough.
It has been backed by the NHS and developed in partnership with Ealing Council, Ealing and Hounslow Community and Voluntary Service (EHCVS), and Voices of Colour.
The programme is open to small, black-led charities, faith groups and grassroots organisations committed to improving health and wellbeing, including social connection, housing, education, mental health or financial wellbeing.
Applicants must have a turnover of less than £200,000 and at least 50% of their board or leadership identify as African or Caribbean. The deadline for applications is Monday 20 January 2025.
Why this matters
The Ealing Roots & Wings grant programme was started in response to a review from the Ealing Race Equality Commission (REC).
The review, carried out in 2022, highlighted that black communities in London, including Ealing, face significant health inequalities, such as higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes.
As a result of the review, Ealing REC called for better representation of black voices in health leadership and service delivery to help address these issues.
Councillor Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, said: “Together with our partners, we are excited to be launching the Ealing Roots & Wings Grant Programme. This has come as a direct result of the demands from the Ealing Race Equality Commission to empower black communities to have a greater voice in health decision-making and recognises the importance that our small community organisations have in supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
Gurpreet Rana, CEO of EHCVS, added: “At the heart of this programme is a commitment to breaking down systemic barriers that have held black communities back for too long. The Roots & Wings Grant isn’t just funding – it’s an investment in the organisations and leaders tirelessly working to create healthier, more equitable futures for Ealing’s black communities.”
Training for community leaders
As part of the programme, senior leaders from the winning 10 organisations will receive peer research training to better understand their community’s needs.
They will also attend group sessions to identify health barriers and work together on finding effective solutions, whilst meeting similar organisations and receiving training opportunities, tailored to their needs.
If your organisation fits the criteria, you can apply for the grant programme via the EHCVS website.
Applications close on Monday 20 January 2025.
For more information, please email development@ehcvs.org.uk