World Afro Day on 15 September marked a global day of celebration and liberation for Afro hair and identity, endorsed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, offers schools the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB).

As a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), Streatham & Clapham High School is deeply committed to EDIB. We endeavour to create an inclusive environment where the wellbeing of every young person takes precedence, ensuring that every girl, regardless of her background, can reach her full potential. As a testament to this commitment, we have embraced the Halo Code, which upholds the rights of our staff and pupils to embrace all Afro-hairstyles.

This term, we launched the Halo Code at our Prep and Senior schools during assembly as part of our commitment to diversity, inclusion and real change. Social justice will be even more of a golden thread that runs through our work in the coming months and years. The GDST is Undivided in its commitment to putting our pupils first, fearlessness, in our sense of family, where every individual is valued, respected, and included. GDST schools strive to be inclusive environments in which the wellbeing of every young person comes first, and where every girl – no matter her background – can learn without limits.

We recognise that Afro-textured hair is an integral part of the racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities of our Black staff and pupils. In alignment with this code, we welcome Afro-textured hair in all its diverse styles, including afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, straightened hair, weaves, wigs, as well as headscarves or wraps in the school colours: black, mauve, or white. Schools across the UK can join in supporting the code, contributing to the collective effort to eliminate discrimination against children with Afro-textured hair.