Racial Justice, Equality, and Diversity (RJED) at St Elizabeth Catholic Primary School

At St Elizabeth, we believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Our Racial Justice, Equality, and Diversity (RJED) approach is about ensuring that our school reflects the rich cultural diversity of our community while empowering all children to embrace their heritage and respect others’. Through RJED, we aim to build an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of their background, can thrive and reach their full potential.

As the great Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” We believe that by teaching our children about the richness of different cultures, histories, and experiences, we can inspire them to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Why RJED Matters

Our RJED approach is about:

• Representation: Ensuring that our staff, resources, and curriculum reflect the diversity of our pupils so that every child feels a sense of belonging.
• Decolonising the Curriculum: Infusing our lessons with a broader perspective that includes the contributions and stories of Black and ethnic minority individuals across history, science, the arts, and literature.
• Empowering Communities: Drawing on the knowledge and experiences of parents, grandparents, and our wider community to enrich learning and celebrate cultural heritage.

How We Promote RJED in Our School

We are dedicated to embedding diversity throughout our curriculum and school life by:

• Highlighting inspirational Black and ethnic minority role models during lessons and assemblies, ensuring children see themselves reflected in the achievements of others.
• Celebrating key events like Black History Month (October), Languages Day (September), and International Day (June) to deepen children’s understanding of different cultures and traditions.
• Using our SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development) and Citizenship lessons and topics in Religious Education to teach respect, empathy, and the value of equality.
• Encouraging classroom discussions that explore themes of fairness, justice, and inclusion in age-appropriate ways.

Working Together as a Community

Our school family extends beyond our pupils and staff—we invite parents and grandparents to share their stories, traditions, and talents with us. Together, we build a school culture that celebrates diversity and values the experiences of everyone.

By promoting RJED, we aim to inspire our children to grow into compassionate, respectful, and open-minded citizens, prepared to make the world a fairer place for all.

“Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.” —Ola Joseph (author)