EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Kent College, Canterbury, we are committed to building a school community where every pupil feels valued, respected, and able to thrive as their whole self. Our ethos is rooted in our values – respect, openness, humility, kindness, resilience, ambition, curiosity and justice – which guide us in fostering an inclusive culture where difference is celebrated and belonging is strengthened.
Our EDI Strategy sets out clear goals across teaching and learning, pastoral care, staffing, and governance.
This year, our key EDI focus is on developing racial literacy — ensuring that both staff and students have the knowledge, confidence and language to talk about race and identity, and to understand how these shape experiences in school and society.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
We are reviewing and enriching schemes of work across subjects so that they reflect diverse voices and perspectives. This helps pupils to both see themselves represented in what they study and to encounter new ideas, cultures and histories that broaden their understanding of the world.
TRAINING AND AWARENESS
All staff and governors take part in ongoing professional development to embed inclusive practice, challenge stereotypes, and address unconscious bias. External experts such as Hemisphere Education support us in ensuring our training is current, impactful and rooted in real classroom practice.
COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIPS
We work closely with parents, alumni, and external organisations to widen perspectives and share best practice. Partnerships with organisations such as Hemisphere Education enrich our approach to teaching and staff training, while also helping us learn from expertise beyond the school gates.
We partner with the Chinese Learning Paradise School for our International Afternoon and Evening in the Spring term, offering sessions on culture, cooking, and calligraphy.
We welcome BeProjects to deliver talks on allyship, helping students understand inequality, develop empathy, and learn practical ways to be active allies in school and beyond.
One of the highlights of the year was a session led by Naomi Evans on microaggressions, which helped students and staff recognise subtle forms of bias, understand their impact, and consider ways to foster a more inclusive community.
STUDENT VOICE AND ADVOCACY
Our student-led societies — including the African-Caribbean Society, Asian Society, Pride Alliance, and International Society - are central to our EDI work. They create spaces for students to share experiences, celebrate heritage, educate the wider community, and lead campaigns that foster inclusion.
ACEN 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
Staff and students recently attended the African Caribbean Education Network (ACEN) 5-Year Anniversary Conference at Eton College.
Our students met Lord Simon Woolley, founder of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge.
The conference theme, “Anti-Racism in the Independent School Sector: Five Years On – Where Are We Now?”, brought together educators and students nationwide to reflect on progress and promote equity in education.
Keynote speakers included Lord Woolley and Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish) and Decolonising My Body, whose talks sparked powerful discussions.
The day was inspiring, with students sharing powerfu reflections on inclusion and representation in schools.
INCLUSION AND SEND
We are committed to ensuring pupils with special educational needs and neurodiverse profiles are fully supported. This includes tailored provision across the four key areas of SEND, specialist training for staff, and opportunities for every pupil to shine across academic, creative, and co-curricular life.
LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Our EDI Leads coordinate this work in close partnership with the EDI Committee, staff champions, governors and student leaders. Together, we are building a shared responsibility for EDI across the whole school community, with clear goals and accountability for progress.
EDI Lead - Clare Appleton
EVENTS
At Kent College we are proud of our diverse community, and our International Evening and Afternoon are highlights of the school calendar.
These events bring students, staff, and families together to:
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Celebrate cultures, languages, and traditions from around the world
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Share food, music, and performances
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Strengthen connections across our international school community
They provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another and to appreciate the richness of global heritage within our school.
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