welcoming everyone
At ACS, we celebrate our international and human diversity, and we strive to create inclusive environments in which we can all work and learn productively.
One of our core values is to “Welcome everyone,” because it’s the law, and because it’s the right thing to do. Our Council supports a strong community of belonging in which everyone can be seen and be heard. We build mutual trust through ongoing reflection, conversation, and dialogue.
All our groups, Staff Networks, events, and activities are open to anyone. ACS International Schools policies forbid discrimination based on any characteristic protected by UK statute (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief).
Our Council work to build awareness and support for a community in which everyone feels valued and connected. We are proud of the way ACS works together, and we share a commitment to fairness, equal opportunity, and continued growth.
There are infinite ways to exist and all of them deserve dignity.
A sense of community
We focus on human flourishing and belonging, with the goal of creating a sense of community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Our working groups and networks provide opportunities for voices to be heard and relationships to be built throughout our community. We work with partners across the world to understand the lived experiences of all students, families, and staff; build resilience; champion justice; and promote social sustainability.
Human Flourishing Council
Our council is open to all interested ACS staff and high school students. We aim to support each other and challenge the organisation to make positive changes which extend our commitment to Welcome Everyone. We meet monthly, sharing leadership, to
- Raise awareness and seek solutions to challenges faced by our people and organisation
- Provide information, inspiration, and recommendation on effective practice
- Create initiatives that promote well-being, health, and purpose; positive identities; academic attainment; healthy relationships; community wellbeing; and character-based capacities.
Our Human Flourishing Charter in action
Across our schools, we celebrate the many backgrounds within our community, educate against bias and discrimination, challenge injustice, and help everyone feel they belong.
Further school community initiatives include:
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Empowering our students to drive positive change by creating opportunities to share their experiences with members of staff, including a range of Student Voice groups and panel events.
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Creating opportunities for all community members to develop a sense of belonging by ensuring they feel seen, heard, and have opportunities to build trust.
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Implementing initiatives ensure that our community is an inclusive and safe space for all, including our "Welcoming Gender Diversity" guidance, Inclusive Language guidance, raising awareness of Identity Harm as a Safeguarding issue, and installing NameCoach name pronunciation software in order to celebrate the link between our names and our identities.
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Keeping the values of our Human Flourishing Charter front of mind, through a wide range of ongoing learning opportunities for staff, students and families.
PARTNERS AND ACTIVITIES
As we move forward with our strategy, we look for potential partners, training and event opportunities to further our development.
AIELOC Partnership
ACS Egham partners with AIELOC, tapping into their global network of experts. Founded in 2017, AIELOC collaborates with international educators and schools worldwide on integrating human flourishing and belonging. As ACS strives for a culture where every community member feels secure being themselves, we welcome AIELOC's guidance and support in this journey.
Events & Training
From Student-Led Campaigns to Expert Keynotes and Workshops, our ever-evolving calendar features a wide range of events, often with a focus on learning from the power of storytelling. Highlights include an 'Autism by Experience' webinar; Human Libraries; Men’s and Women’s Health workshops; ECIS training for students, staff and parents; as well as a wide range of celebrations for events such as International Women's Day, Black History Month, Neurodiversity Awareness, Pride Month, and beyond.
