a culture of mutual respect

Bristol is a vibrant, prosperous city which has vast economic inequality having some of the most affluent and deprived areas of the UK living geographically close together. Bristol has a unique history due to its role in colonial Britain and the Slave Trade. It also has a tradition of strong Civil Rights Activism and a high proportion of residents who join political pressure groups like Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter and others.

Bristol’s diverse and culturally rich community is a great strength and a challenge for schools. We at BFS aim to embrace this and provide an enriching education which values the views and cultures of our community.  We are on the start of an exciting journey with our students and their families to ensure that every protected characteristic of the Equalities Act 2010 is celebrated and included by aspects of school life.  

Developing a strategy for Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion is a whole school priority and we are working in this in the following areas:

• • Commissioning an independent organization, Representation Matters, to audit the attitudes and lived experiences of our students, staff and families. Representation Matters will then support the school to identify key priorities for staff training and curriculum change and ensure there is independent quality assurance in the process.
  • More staff professional development so we can reflect sensitively on how we work with young people and their families.
  • Diversifying and decolonizing the curriculum so it includes better representation of all groups within our school and recognizes the full breadth of our historical journey as a nation with a colonial past.
  • Being an Anti-Racist school and working towards a nationally recognized award that validates this across all school systems.
  • Signing up to the ‘Halo Code’ which recognises Afro-textured hair styles and ensures no member of the community is discriminated against on these grounds.
  • Student Leadership - a equalities and inclusion student action group who raise awareness through assemblies and celebrating diversity in all areas.
  • A Pride student group.
  • Restorative approaches and transparency when dealing with micro aggressions and prejudice.