Lawn Manor Academy has joined forces with Wiltshire Police as an exemplary example of how different backgrounds, cultures, religions and experience can build a future of inclusion at the official relaunch event of Wiltshire Ethnic Police Association (WEPA).
The school was invited to take part in the event to talk about how they embrace the diverse ethnic backgrounds of their pupils, with at least 38 languages spoken across the school, as well as also having a larger than average proportion of pupils coming from disadvantaged backgrounds too.
Assistant Headteacher, Marek Koza, spoke to the assembled group of WEPA representatives about how the school’s approach in celebrating everyone’s differences and helping others serves to build harmony across the school community. The school has also been recognised as a School of Sanctuary since July 2023, a UK-wide scheme that raises awareness of the experiences of people seeking safety, and plays a key role in building a culture of kindness and compassion.
20 of Lawn Manor Academy’s talented dancers also performed a dance that recently saw them awarded first place for South West schools in the Great Big Dance Off, and pupils performed songs including Year 9 pupil Maka singing Ocean Eyes, and Year 8 pupil Kristian singing Escape (The Pina Colada song).
Marek explained: “It was a real privilege to be invited to the Wiltshire Ethnic Police Association event and show them how we have become more collective and combined at Lawn Manor Academy by embracing cultures and our differences.
“We take every opportunity to celebrate our differences and successes through events like our Cultural Days and Refugee Week. Throughout every aspect of the school, we acknowledge that our unique backgrounds have helped us become the people we are today and that these experiences can help us achieve everything we want in the future.”
Celebrating the day, Claudia McKenzie and Elroy Rodrigues of WEPA added: “The relaunch of WEPA will go down in Wiltshire Police history as one of the most vibrant, inspirational, emotive, and special events we have ever had. This was thanks to our incredible guests, including the students and staff of Lawn Manor Academy. Here at Wiltshire Police, we have always known the importance of diversity and inclusion, this is why WEPA exists. But Assistant Headteacher Mr. Koza took that message to another level with his powerful and heartfelt talk on the power of diversity and the importance of celebrating who we are.
“The passion and pride that shone from Mr. Koza as he spoke about how the school embraces students’ differences was truly moving. The singing and dancing performances by the children were nothing short of outstanding. The interaction between teachers and students showed clearly that they felt safe, supported, and encouraged. They also supported each other through the singing performance, something we sometimes forget to do as adults. These are exactly the kind of schools and educators that makes our communities great.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information, visit www.lawnmanor.org
Article from Vox PR and Marketing
