Dear Families,
At All Saints School, we want every child to feel safe, valued and able to thrive. As part of our commitment to providing an education that prepares pupils to succeed and contribute positively in today’s society, we have introduced annual Hemisphere training for staff. This work helps us strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging and build understanding across different cultural and heritage backgrounds, including how to talk about race and inequality with confidence and respect.
What is Hemisphere?
Hemisphere is a UK-based, racial literacy, programme used by schools across the country. Every Church of England school in the Southwark Diocese has been offered this training for free over the next 3 years. It draws on neuroscience, storytelling and education research to help staff understand Britain’s diverse communities and cultures, and to talk about topics such as race and inequality confidently and respectfully. These conversations are always age-appropriate, balanced and rooted in respect — helping us all build empathy and understanding without judgment or blame.
How will it work?
Every member of staff will complete Hemisphere professional development each year. This ensures that our conversations are guided by informed, confident adults.
Why this matters
This work builds on our shared commitment to a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every child can learn, grow and belong.
Last term, all staff undertook training which explored how our brains and experiences shape the way we see others, and how we can respond thoughtfully and fairly to our pupils and each other in day-to-day school life. Staff responded very positively to the programme.
Hemisphere is part of our long-term commitment to pupil and staff wellbeing and success. We will keep revisiting the ideas in the training as part of everyday school life to ensure every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
To learn more about Hemisphere, visit: