Dear colleagues,
Thank you to everyone who joined EduKIT – One Year On: Symbols, Struggles and the Call to Educators. Your honesty, questions and reflections created a space of genuine dialogue—one that reminded us how deeply these issues matter in our work with children and communities.

A special thank you to the Association of Education Advisers (AoEA) for launching this series of sessions designed to create intentional, professional spaces for dialogue where we can lean into conversations that are sometimes uncomfortable, but always necessary.

Our first session brought together colleagues from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England—each contribution underpinned by a shared purpose: to make the world a better, safer place for all our children, free from discrimination and division.

Together, we explored:
• How symbols and public events can both unite and divide, and the implications this has for our schools and young people
• Practical ways we can support pupils as they navigate complex questions of identity, belonging and community tension
• The importance of courage, humility and solidarity in leadership, and what these values look like in everyday practice

The richness of the discussion was powerful. Highlights included:
• Scotland's embrace of the Safe, Connected and Ready to Learn mantra—a relational approach woven into every school. Thank you to Colin McLean for showing how to make these conversations easier and more human.
• Wales' inspiring work as a Nation of Sanctuary, shared by Nicky Hagendyk
• Mary Lowery's reflection on how flags in Ireland are not new, but continue to carry complex meaning
• Minnie Moore from Hampshire reminding us of the importance of disrupting the spread of misinformation
• Hannah Wilson's useful resources and insights

Many of you also shared thoughtful examples of how you are supporting staff and pupils to engage with difference safely and meaningfully. Others reflected on the tensions that arise in doing this work and how, as leaders, we hold space for both discomfort and hope. Here are some links to resources that were shared:

• The TED Talk by Chimanda that I referenced https://www.thebelongingeffect.co.uk/the-diverseed-ted-talk-playlist-for-schools/
• Blog post by Hannah Wilson https://www.thebelongingeffect.co.uk/flags-when-patriotism-becomes-politics/
• Blog that I posted previously about Expectations https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leaked-expectations-silent-language-belonging-gill-fcct-npqel-orn5e/?trackingId=uxKJJ%2FA5DptHbm3L8j7kYg%3D%3D
• Hope Not Hate https://hopenothate.org.uk/weekend-of-hope-local/
• Permission to Speak – Bay Samara https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/321260/permission-to-speak-by-bay-samara/9780241486399
• Useful EYFS scheme called Think Equal for starting DEIB conversations with 3 year olds https://thinkequal.org/

Looking ahead:
I'll be sharing a short blog in the coming months to capture some of the key reflections, themes and next steps that emerged from our conversation. We're also excited to continue this journey at the University of Birmingham with Colin Diamond CBE, exploring further what it means for educators to take responsibility.

In the meantime, I'd love to keep this dialogue going. Please do share any further thoughts or reflections—your perspectives continue to shape how we grow as a community of compassionate educators.
With gratitude,
Narinder