Diversity & Inclusion Representatives

Alumnae representatives joined staff and Sixth Formers for our inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group meeting. Our two former pupils tell us about their background and why they were motivated to join the group.

Tanya Agarwal (class of 2014)

I am the Programme Coordinator for Assembly Festival, an organisation that hosts shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and tours with the best of the programme for the rest of the year. I am also an award-winning freelance theatre producer who has recently delved into producing short films.  I have a BA in History from Durham University and a MA in Creative Producing from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. I was a student at South Hampstead from 2003 to 2014.

I have a passion for amplifying diverse voices and giving a platform to marginalised stories in my work. It is because of this that I was interested in joining the diversity steering group. I am grateful for my time at South Hampstead and would like to ensure that it remains an inclusive and welcoming school that allows people to question the status quo and use their voice to action change. I would like to empower people to feel confident enough to address instances of racial inequality and microaggressions in everyday life. Exposure to different cultures, reading widely, and watching shows that question and challenge our assumptions are all just small ways that we can broaden understanding of the world and come to appreciate different cultures and customs.

Imisioluwa Johnson-Epega (class of 2011)

I am currently studying Law and working part-time in an events company. I have a BA in Political Science and African Studies from Birmingham University and a graduate diploma in Law from the University of London. I was a student at South Hampstead from 2004 until 2011. 

I have spent time working on increasing diversity in the legal profession and I am now keen to use this experience in my role on the diversity steering group at South Hampstead.  I believe there is no space more important than schools to ensure diversity is addressed, discrimination is recognised and people from all cultures feel included. I am proud to have studied at South Hampstead and pleased to be part of a group of people that not only talks about affecting change but will implement it and make improvements.  We can all think more critically and consciously when making decisions and consider how our actions will affect others around us.