Development Office, King Edward VI High School For Girls,
Edgbaston Park Road,
Birmingham B15 2UB
T 0121 415 2245
F 0121 415 2260
E oldeds@kehsmail.co.uk
During the last week of the Spring Term, for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, there has been a variety of events to raise awareness and understanding about neurodiversity.
On Monday, we opened the doors of the Warnock Room to the whole school community – we have never seen the room so busy! It was great to see pupils visiting the space, enjoying the sensory experience of the pod, and picking up a fidget toy and a badge to wear to celebrate neurodiversity. On Tuesday, Dr Ollis shared his insights into the practical aspects of neurodiversity – how our brains are different and the variety of effects on individuals. Wednesday was known this week as ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ in Warnock Room, with activities available for pupils to participate in. Older pupils really enjoyed undertaking some of these activities between study periods - promoting self-care and relaxation. During Wednesday’s lunchtime, Dr Jon Elphick and Dr Emma Langdon gave a really interesting talk about neurodiversity in the workplace. This joint KEHS and KES event also offered pupils, as well as members of staff, more of an understanding of engineering, as both Jon and Emma have a background in this field. They answered questions regarding careers, benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace, and described their individual experiences within the field. The final session of the week was an excellent workshop from pupils Rachel Hopkins and Lulu Frisson, representing the Student EDI Committee, discussing the language of neurodiversity with pupils and members of staff, to equip them to feel confident having conversations about neurodiversity.
In addition to the sessions, pupils were encouraged to ask questions about neurodiversity where the answers were compiled in a video to watch in tutor time. There were so many questions asked that, unfortunately, we could not answer them all, but we are planning ways to answer them in the future.
Thank you to all members of staff and pupils who delivered sessions, supported the week by participating in a session or by wearing a badge.
The aim of the week was to embrace diversity, but this is not something that happens for just one week at KEHS, we promote inclusion every day. Neurodiversity Celebration Week has raised awareness, and encouraged pupils, and members of staff, to become more informed and confident to promote neurodiversity even more in the future. - Kate Hewson