At Brays School, we are dedicated to providing our students – each on their unique learning journey – with the resources and support they need to thrive. This commitment extends to our incredible staff, who play a vital role in fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment. Recently, we partnered with the Global Equality Collective (GEC), a remarkable organisation that has had a significant impact on our school community.
Why GEC? A Shared Vision for Equality
We were drawn to GEC for several reasons. Their founder, Nic Ponsford, has a proven track record of connecting individuals and organisations for the benefit of young people and educators. This collaborative spirit resonated deeply with our own values. Furthermore, GEC’s platform, “the collective,” provides access to a wealth of expertise on various aspects of equality.
Benefits in Action: Diverse Resources and Digital Inclusion
Our membership with GEC has yielded tangible benefits for our school. When we were revamping our “Brays Classics” program, a core element of our curriculum that exposes students to high-quality and diverse literature, we turned to the GEC platform for research. This collaboration ensured that our “Super Six” book selections for each class were enriching and reflected a wide range of voices and experiences.
Another significant advantage of our GEC partnership is the connection it facilitated with Green Tech Co. In our school, many of our dedicated Teaching Assistants lack access to personal devices for work purposes. Previously, this meant relying on their phones for online training. Through the generous donation of refurbished laptops from Green Tech, our staff now has access to essential tools for professional development and training. This not only enhances their work experience but also allows them to pursue further qualifications at home, contributing to their career growth.
Technology as a Bridge, Not a Barrier
For many of our students, achieving their full potential requires access to technology that can overcome learning barriers. Tools like text-to-speech and dictation software allow students with hypermobility to interact with learning materials and express themselves more easily. Recognising this need, we contacted GEC about our lack of devices, and Nic connected us with Green Tech. Through this collaborative effort, Brays School received six refurbished laptops, providing our staff and students with valuable resources for online training, education, and career advancement.
A Journey of Continued Impact
Our partnership with GEC is a testament to the power of collaboration. It has allowed us to access a network of expertise, connect with like-minded organisations, and ultimately empower both students and staff to reach their full potential. We are excited to see what future opportunities this valuable partnership holds, and we are grateful to the GEC and Green Tech for their dedication to bridging the digital divide and fostering equality in education.
