Diversity and inclusion across the curriculum
At William Ford, we recognise and are proud that our children come from a range of diverse backgrounds. It is our aim that our curriculum provides a mirror into their own culture along with a window into the cultures of others as well as celebrating British values and culture.
When selecting where to sponsor and support children, we chose Colombia recognising that there are no South American children within our school, providing us with the opportunity to learn more about this country. We ensure there are meaningful links to Colombia across our curriculum including literacy, geography and PSHE. Our Colombia Day also further extends and enriches this work, also covering disadvantage in poorer parts of the world.
Below are further examples of diversity across the curriculum.
Literacy
All the books listed below are available for pupils to read in the applicable class. Teachers also use these as the class text at the end of the school day as part of reading for enjoyment.
Our school library is also decorated to display and celebrate the diversity of book characters and to further promote pupils to read and enjoy books where the main characters do not reflect their own backgrounds.
As part of our curriculum, texts such as James and the Giant Peach first introduce children to the idea of orphans who do not live with their biological parents. Texts such as 'Journey to Jo'burg' furthers this understanding as the main characters do not live with their mother. This text also ensures we have cultural diversity within our curriculum and ensures our black African children can see themselves reflected within the curriculum.
Older year groups use the text 'Hidden figures' to celebrate the role of black women who helped win the space race. This also enriches our science curriculum. They also explore 'Boy at the back of the classroom' to gain an understanding of life in Syria and the challenges faced by refugees who have been relocated. Pupils also produce leaflets based on Colombia, linked to our chosen charity. Our oldest pupils study 'When the mountains roared' to develop their understanding of children living in a country different to that of their birth and to ensure our Indian children see themselves reflected within the curriculum. Black authors are also studied, including Benjamin Zephaniah. promoting such careers to our male and/or black African pupils whilst ensuring all pupils can enjoy poetry from a range of backgrounds. The London Eye mystery includes a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder as the main protagonist, furthering pupils' understanding.
Maths
When selecting and creating problems for children to tackle, the school ensures that the names and types of families used reflect the diversity of families across the school.
We also ensure we have famous mathematicians from a variety of diverse backgrounds displayed across the school.
Science
Displayed prominently in our science laboratory are a range of different scientists from various diverse backgrounds, ensuring that all pupils can see themselves reflected within the careers of science. The work of these scientists also directs and enriches our curriculum. Linked to literacy, pupils also learn about the important role played by black women in America's space race.
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Computing
Evidence within our computing suite highlights how pupils are encouraged to select characters from a range of diverse backgrounds when making sprites for their programming work.
RE
The teaching of RE ensures that all religions are taught along with a range of world views. Pupils are encouraged to avoid stereotypes and recognise that your nationality does not necessarily determine your religion and that all religions can be found in various different countries.
History
Our history curriculum not only focusses on the richness of British history, including the role played by women within our own local history, but also covers other cultures and communities such as ancient Islamic civilisations, enuring our Muslim pupils see themselves reflected within the curriculum. Our history displays seen around the school also cover ethnic diversity, for example within the Victorians. Our historical sources used within the classroom also reflects this diversity. Year Five also enjoy Baghdad day where the culture and history of present day Iraq and the Middle East is celebrated. This links to their literacy book 'The boy at the back of the classroom.'
Geography
Our geography curriculum exposes pupils to a range of different countries across the world, including countries represented within our community and those that are not. Pupils become fully immersed within their India topic through Year Four's annual 'Indian Day' where pupils particularly from India are able to help with the celebration of this day.
Art
Across the curriculum, our pupils study a range of artists and techniques from across Europe and the world including the famous Ghanian sculptor El Anatsui and Nigerian sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp.
Music
Pupils enjoy and experience a range of different musical styles and genres including traditional African songs, Indian music (including the festival of Holi), samba and carnival. The school has also supported and attended various events that celebrate diversity in all its forms.
PE
The pupils are given the opportunity to learn Paralympic sports such as goalball which enables pupils to experience football without sight and boccia which gives pupils the experience of bowls with limited or no lower body function. Our work with the Royal Ballet School ensures stereotypes about dance are broken as ballet is seen for all rather than just white, middle class European girls. The school is proud of many of our pupils, including black African boys, who have furthered their talents in this area and regularly attend the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden, London. The school has attended local Panathlon events (as part of our 11 experiences) where our SEND children have won two trophies.