Behind the Scenes at Bancroft’s: Building a Community of Belonging
At Bancroft’s, a strong school community means one where people are seen, heard and respected. Diversity, equity and inclusion are not just topics for assemblies or events, but part of how the school works day to day. As the academic year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the DEI activity that has shaped this year, led by students and supported by staff.
This work is guided by DEI Coordinators Gurdip Chana and Gill Entwistle, alongside mentors Carl Greenidge, Rob Young and Jayson Ceeraz. Together, they help ensure that Bancroft’s is a place where all students feel they belong.
Heritage Day and a year of student-led moments
One of the most visible celebrations of the year was Heritage Day. Students took part in a catwalk in the Great Hall, wearing cultural dress and cheered on by their peers. For Gurdip Chana, who has been at Bancroft’s for seven years, the event reflects a broader shift in how inclusion is embedded across school life.
“Diversity is our strength, and Bancroft’s shines brightest when we celebrate it. There were tears in teachers’ eyes as we watched students take to the catwalk in the Great Hall for Heritage Day, proudly showcasing their cultural outfits while their friends cheered them on. The energy was electric – students championing each other, embracing identities, and sharing stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
Gurdip’s work this year has also included a focus on phonetic spelling, giving students and staff a way to express their names clearly and be addressed correctly. You can read more about this initiative here.
Gill Entwistle, who has been a DEI Coordinator for three years and part of the wider team for longer, says the energy students bring has been key.
“The best moments are when the students turn up, share their views, and are passionate about diversity and inclusion. Things work best when the ideas come from them – we’re here to support them and help them achieve their goals.”
Events like Pride Week, which returned this term, and Allies Week earlier in the year are part of that picture. As is the time and thought students give to speaking with senior leaders and governors as part of the DEI Steering Committee.
“This year we’ve had some wonderful student-led moments — from Allies Week, where students made ‘Allyship hands’ and rainbow cakes in the atrium, to Pride Week, which we’ve celebrated every year since 2021. We also meet regularly with senior leaders and governors through the DEI Steering Committee. Most recently, students from the BMA, Congress, and Jewish Society attended and spoke so eloquently and confidently — I was bursting with pride.”
Take a look at the highlights from this years Heritage Day
Supporting students every day
Carl Greenidge, who has been a DEI mentor for 14 years, is involved both in event planning and the ongoing work of making sure the school environment is inclusive in more day-to-day ways.
“We listen, we support, and we also meet regularly with coordinators and mentors to make sure we’re implementing strategies that make real change.”
“It’s positive that DEI is recognised across the school, and that we have a staff body at all levels pushing towards creating a comfortable environment for everyone. But it’s not easy — we’re all battling with the social and structural complexities of inclusion. The most important thing is to keep talking and not be complacent.”
Creating spaces where students feel they belong
Rob Young is an English teacher and DEI mentor who has focused on supporting the Jewish community at Bancroft’s.
“I run the Jewish Society where we meet for lunch and talk about issues of identity,” he explains.
“It’s really important for the Jewish students here to feel that sense of belonging. I’ve had parents tell me how much it means for their children to have this space.”
Involved in coordinating the Holocaust Memorial Day assembly, which see the school take part in the Yellow Candle Project, Rob adds that “we have also had a special Chanukah lunch in the last week of the winter term: the donuts tend to go down very well!”
Ongoing work and shared responsibility
The DEI work taking place across the school is a combination of individual efforts, staff collaboration and student-led action. As Carl puts it:
“The community is supportive, but it’s also on us to keep pushing. We all have a role to play in making this school a place where everyone can be themselves.”
Gurdip adds:
“Our community thrives when people feel valued. We’ve made great progress, but there’s always more to do. The aim is simple: we want every student and every member of staff to feel safe, supported, and proud of who they are.”
And Rob reflects on what this work brings back to the wider school:
“I feel so lucky to work somewhere where I’m learning all the time — about different countries, cultures, and religions. It’s enriching, and it keeps you open-minded.”
Thank you
We would like to thank Gurdip, Gill, Carl, Rob and Jayson along with all of the students who have played a part in DEI this year, for the time, care and energy they continue to give. Their work helps ensure that Bancroft’s remains a place where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.
