Each year at The Golden Thread Alliance, our wider curriculum comes alive with a themed week, and this year, we are thrilled to dedicate it to “Diversity Week.” Our focus is on honouring the many cultures, countries, and communities that shape our schools and the world beyond them.
We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a lightning rod in today’s political discourse. With voices questioning the place of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in education, we remain firm in our belief that this work is vital. Within The Golden Thread Alliance, we hold an unwavering belief: yes, our core business is to empower children to read, write, and master numeracy, but it is equally our purpose to help shape the most compassionate, responsible, and respectful citizens of tomorrow. This inherently demands that we teach about the diversity of our world, firmly rooted in our core values.
Look no further than our classrooms. Across The Golden Thread Alliance, our classrooms are vibrant microcosms of global citizenship. We have children and colleagues who were born in, have lived in, or whose families hail from across the globe – from Ukraine, China, India, Mauritius, Poland, and Romania, to name just a few. In fact, over fifty languages are spoken across our schools. Their lives are rooted here in the UK, yet their heritage is steeped in cultures largely unknown to many of our children and families, making it an extraordinary educational opportunity.
This ethnic and cultural diversity of our pupil body is not just something to be proud of; it’s a living reflection of multicultural Britain and an endless source of inspiration for every teacher, leader, and pupil within our schools. It embodies our value of Equality, the inherent worth and contribution of every individual, that our differences enrich, rather than divide, us, and fosters the Kindness and Respect we champion.
But we also know that outside of school, not everyone experiences the same kindness. Even today, we receive reports of racist name-calling, exclusionary behaviour, and harassment in public spaces. These challenges remind us to stay focused on our commitment to Integrity and Responsibility to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Diversity Week is one of the many ways we fulfil that commitment. By dedicating the week to celebrating different countries and cultures, we aim to:
- Encourage all pupils to embrace the joys of being different, cultivating an understanding grounded in Respect.
- Ignite wonder through exploring the unknown, fostering the Ambition to learn and grow.
- Foster understanding of both the differences and the profound similarities between the ethnicities and cultures within our Golden Thread schools, upholding our commitment to Equality.
Our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not a political statement; it is fundamental to our mission and deeply interwoven with the fabric of The Golden Thread Alliance. It embodies our values of Respect, Equality, Courage, Integrity, Ambition, Kindness, and Responsibility. It ensures every child, in every school, is fully equipped for the complex challenges of tomorrow.
By learning more about the world that is only a footstep away, we hope to inspire and encourage our young people to be the most open, welcoming, and truly global citizens they can possibly be, while we continue to be proud of every step they take on that journey.
Garry Ratcliffe, CEO