In our academy, 'diversity' simply means that our school is full of amazing people who are all different in lots of wonderful ways! This includes how we look, where our families come from, what we believe, how we learn best, and what makes each of us special. Celebrating diversity means we appreciate and respect all these differences. It's about creating a friendly and fair place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and like they truly belong, no matter what makes them unique. We learn so much from each other when we embrace how wonderfully diverse we all are!

Intent

At LAPW, we are committed to fostering a learning community where every individual is valued, respected, and celebrated for their unique identity and experiences.

We aim to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation of diversity in all its forms.

We aim to recognise, understand, and value the diverse cultural backgrounds, traditions, languages, and perspectives within our academy and the wider world. We will acknowledge and respect the different countries and places our children and families come from and strive to create an inclusive environment where all identities and expressions are affirmed and respected. We will also foster an understanding of diverse orientations and promote a culture of acceptance and respect. We will recognise and cater to the diverse learning needs and abilities of all children, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities and also understanding and addressing the impact of socio-economic diversity and striving for equity in opportunities. We will also respect and understand the diverse religious and spiritual beliefs within our community.

Through inquiry-based learning, we will encourage children to explore different perspectives, challenge assumptions, and develop empathy towards others. We will create a safe and welcoming environment where all children feel valued, included, and empowered to be themselves. We will explicitly teach and model respectful communication and interactions, fostering empathy and understanding towards those who are different from us. We will actively address bias and stereotypes through critical thinking and open discussions, promoting a fair and equitable learning environment. We will encourage children to become active participants in promoting diversity and inclusion within our academy community and beyond. We will ensure that our curriculum, teaching materials, and learning environment reflect the diverse identities and experiences of our children and the wider world. We will work in partnership with families and the wider community to promote a shared understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Through these intentions, we strive to develop internationally-minded learners who are knowledgeable, open-minded, caring, and equipped to contribute positively to a diverse and interconnected world, embodying the IB learner profile attributes.

Implementation

We deeply value and celebrate the rich tapestry of human diversity within our academy community and the wider world. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) school, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every child, family, and staff member feels a sense of belonging, respect, and value. This commitment is integral to our philosophy and underpins all aspects of our teaching and learning.

We understand diversity in its broadest sense, encompassing but not limited to:

Culture and Ethnicity:

Recognising and appreciating the diverse cultural backgrounds, traditions, languages, and heritage of our community.

Nationality and Origin:

Acknowledging and respecting the different countries and places our children and families come from.

Socio-Economic Background:

Being mindful of and addressing potential disparities related to socio-economic status.

Gender Identity and Expression:

Creating a safe and affirming environment for all gender identities and expressions.

Sexual Orientation:

Ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for individuals of all sexual orientations.

Abilities and Learning Styles:

Recognising and catering to the diverse learning needs and abilities of all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs:

Respecting and understanding the various religious and spiritual beliefs within our community.

Family Structures:

Acknowledging and valuing the diverse forms that families can take.

Diversity is intentionally woven into our Programme of Inquiry (PoI). Through transdisciplinary themes and Units of Inquiry, children explore diverse perspectives, cultures, histories, and experiences. We ensure that learning resources reflect the diversity of the world and avoid perpetuating stereotypes. Our teaching practices are designed to be inclusive and responsive to the diverse learning needs and styles of all children. We employ adapted teaching, provide varied assessment opportunities, and create supportive learning environments that encourage participation and engagement from everyone. We value and support the multilingualism of our community. We encourage the use of home languages and provide opportunities for language development for all children. We cultivate an academy culture that celebrates diversity and actively challenges prejudice, discrimination, and bias. We promote respectful communication, empathy, and understanding through explicit teaching, role modelling, and academy-wide initiatives. We are committed to selecting and using resources and materials that are diverse, inclusive, and free from bias. We actively seek out representations that reflect the global community and the range of human experiences. We provide ongoing professional development opportunities for our staff to enhance their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to equip them with the skills to effectively support all learners. We actively engage with families and the wider community to learn from their diverse experiences and perspectives. We create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration to foster a shared understanding and commitment to diversity. We have clear procedures for addressing incidents of discrimination and bias. We take all such incidents seriously and work proactively to educate our community about the impact of prejudice.

We regularly reflect on our practices and review our policies to ensure that our commitment to diversity is being effectively implemented and that we are continuously striving for improvement.

Through the consistent implementation of this statement, we aim to:

Develop children who are open-minded, knowledgeable, and caring individuals who understand and appreciate the diversity of human experience.
Foster an academy community where all members feel safe, respected, valued, and empowered to be themselves.
Equip children with the intercultural understanding and respect necessary to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
Promote social justice and encourage children to take action to address issues of inequality and discrimination.

This Diversity Implementation Statement is a working document that will be reviewed and updated regularly in consultation with our academy community to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in fostering a truly inclusive and equitable learning environment at LAPW.

Impact

We believe that diversity in all its forms – including but not limited to race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, ability, socio-economic background, and family structure – is a powerful asset that enriches our learning community and empowers our children to become internationally-minded citizens. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion has a profound and positive impact on our children, staff, and the wider academy environment.

Exposure to diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of knowing deepens children’s understanding of the world around them. It fosters critical thinking skills as they learn to analyse and appreciate different viewpoints, moving beyond a singular narrative. Interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds cultivates empathy, compassion, and respect for individual differences. Children learn to value and celebrate the unique contributions of each member of our community, fostering a sense of belonging for all. The PYP's emphasis on intercultural understanding is significantly enhanced by a diverse student body. Children develop the skills and attitudes necessary to interact respectfully and effectively with people from different cultures, preparing them for a globalised world. Seeing themselves reflected in the diversity of the academy community and learning about the richness of others' identities helps children develop a stronger sense of self and a positive understanding of their own heritage and belonging. Working collaboratively with diverse peers encourages children to develop effective communication and teamwork skills, learning to navigate different communication styles and perspectives to achieve common goals. A diverse environment naturally sparks curiosity and encourages children to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and inquire into different ways of thinking and being, aligning perfectly with the PYP's inquiry-based approach.

Engaging with diverse learners and collaborating with colleagues from varied backgrounds broadens educators' perspectives and pedagogical approaches. It encourages reflection on their own biases and the development of culturally responsive teaching practices. A focus on diversity and inclusion prompts educators to actively create learning experiences that are accessible and relevant to all children, ensuring that every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Working within a diverse staff fosters a richer exchange of ideas, strategies, and best practices, leading to more innovative and effective teaching methodologies.

A visible commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a more welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the academy community – children, families, and staff. Recognising and valuing the diverse backgrounds of our families strengthens communication and collaboration, fostering a sense of partnership in the children’s learning journey. By embracing diversity within our academy, we are actively preparing our children to be responsible and engaged global citizens who can contribute positively to an increasingly interconnected world.

In conclusion, the integration of diversity and inclusion principles throughout our academy and curriculum is not just a policy, but a fundamental aspect of our educational philosophy. It fosters a vibrant, dynamic, and equitable learning environment where all children are empowered to reach their full potential, develop a deep understanding of the world, and become compassionate and engaged members of the global community. We are committed to continuously reflecting on and strengthening our practices to ensure that diversity remains a cornerstone of our academy’s success.