Neurodiversity Week

As part of a global initiative, our students have been mobilising awareness of neurodiversity, celebrating differences and challenging stereotypes.

Sixth Former Maddy and the Diversity Team kicked off the week with an assembly introducing the ideas behind neurodiversity and how we can be more accommodating to neurodivergent individuals. The aim of the worldwide initiative is to raise awareness of what it means to be neurodivergent, and to celebrate the talents and advantages of different ways of learning. In the atrium each morning, pupils and staff were greeted with a playlist of neurodivergent artists, including tracks by Florence and the Machine, Loyle Carner and Jefferson Airplane. Students also organised a range of activities, from form time presentations to lunchtime panel discussions on specific learning difficulties, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, to help challenge misconceptions.  Maddy, who led the week, commented:

“It was absolutely amazing – everyone was so open and enthusiastic to learn more about neurodiversity and the panel discussions were really eye-opening… I’m so happy that South Hampstead embraced the idea… it’s exceeded all expectations!”  

The activities from Neurodiversity Week form just part of our plans to embed a welcoming and inclusive culture, led by our Diversity Team.