Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our DEI Vision

ISL is a diverse, safe, equitable, and welcoming community for all students, staff and families. Each individual is committed to ensuring everyone has a strong sense of belonging and feels respected. We are proactive in inclusion work as it upholds ISL’s Values. In addition to the actions being undertaken by the DEI Team, an inclusive approach underpins our systems, policies, practices, pedagogy, and culture.

Our DEI Mission

At ISL, we are proactively co-creating a culture that enables every individual to thrive by reducing implicit bias, speaking up, and being allies to eliminate racism and discrimination of all kinds in our community. Our inclusion work includes auditing and improving our systems, structures, pedagogy, and culture. By embracing our diversity as a strength, we create a vibrant learning community and culture of belonging.

Our DEI Roadmap

DEI Curriculum at ISL

At ISL, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) includes an ongoing review of the curriculum across all divisions—from Early Years to the Diploma Programme. To support this work, we used our bespoke Intercultural Competencies framework, grounded in the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skill categories of the International Baccalaureate (IB). These competencies help students develop the skills, values, and dispositions needed to thrive in a diverse, interconnected world.

The Intercultural Competencies framework was used to audit the curriculum through a DEI lens. Each competency acts as a lens to evaluate how well our curriculum supports students in becoming respectful, informed, and inclusive global citizens. This approach enables us to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth in how we represent diverse perspectives, promote equity, and foster intercultural understanding in every subject area.

Why Each Competency Area Matters for DEI

Communication Skills

The ability to communicate across cultures is essential in a diverse school environment. We reviewed how students are taught to interpret meaning and express themselves with intercultural awareness. This competency ensures that students can listen, speak, and write in ways that are respectful and responsive to different cultural contexts—fundamental for avoiding misunderstandings and fostering inclusive dialogue.

Social Skills

Social competencies support students in forming positive relationships across differences. We looked for opportunities where students practice empathy, make equitable decisions, and advocate for themselves and others. These skills help develop upstanders and allies—individuals who support the rights and needs of those around them, which is a cornerstone of DEI education.

Self-Management Skills

Self-awareness is a critical starting point for DEI. We examined how the curriculum encourages students to reflect on their own values and the impact of their actions. Being mindful of one's role in upholding equity and considering the ethical and cultural implications of decisions helps students grow into responsible, inclusive individuals.

Research Skills

DEI-informed research means not only seeking information but doing so critically and responsibly. This includes evaluating sources for bias, analyzing diverse knowledge systems, and understanding how media influences prejudice. By teaching students to consider a wide range of perspectives, we help them develop a nuanced understanding of the world.

Thinking Skills

Critical and creative thinking enables students to challenge assumptions and explore alternative viewpoints. We evaluated how well the curriculum supports students in identifying bias, connecting ideas across disciplines, and approaching inquiries from multiple cultural contexts. These skills are vital for dismantling stereotypes and cultivating inclusive thinking habits.

Next Steps in Our DEI Journey

This curriculum audit will serve as a key reference point in our ongoing efforts to embed DEI meaningfully into teaching and learning. In the coming years, we will use the insights gained from this review—alongside data from the Global Equality Collective (GEC) DEI surveys—to inform professional learning, curriculum planning, and classroom practice. These actions align with our three-year DEI strategy and our vision to create a school environment where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

View our DEI Curriculum

Our DEI policy

ISL’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy was published in August 2022 after a year of consultation within and beyond the ISL community. Read the ISL’s DEI Policy.

Our DEI Team of Coordinators

My professional DEI journey began 15 years ago after qualifying as a secondary school teacher. My local and international career has given me experience on the values of teaching intercultural understanding. From an enhanced learning environment to developing critical thinking skills, I believe it is essential for preparing our students for the interconnected global workforce. At ISL, my work has focussed on auditing and developing our curriculum with a DEI lens and empowering student voice through establishing a DEI student ambassador programme. Most recently, I have helped to develop our strategic plan for DEI and recognise that while we have a lot to celebrate now, we have more work ahead of us. More personally, my DEI journey began long ago. Growing up in a heteronormative society, I soon became aware of inequalities in our society. As an LGBTQIA+ educator, I am aware of the lack of representation in educational, mainstream media and other societal institutions. However, in my lifetime, significant progress has been made towards greater acceptance and equality. In July 2022, Switzerland legalised ‘mariage pour tous’ and a few months later I was able to happily marry my husband. This social change would not have been possible without allies in Swiss society. This is a firm reminder to me about how being an ally is a powerful tool for greater inclusion.

Daniel Grocott, Head of DEI & Secondary DEI Coordinator

DGROCOTT@ISL.CH

I am German, ethnically Korean and adopted. My journey towards championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a tale of two worlds that has profoundly shaped my understanding of the richness inherent in human diversity. While my formative years in a non-diverse primary school presented challenges, it was my experience in an international school that truly ignited my passion for fostering inclusivity. In my primary school, the landscape was marked by a uniformity that often left me yearning for a broader representation of the world. As a person of colour in this setting, I navigated through an environment where my experiences stood as a testament to the importance of recognizing the broader tapestry of human identity, one that transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. The turning point in my DEI journey occurred when I transitioned to an international school. Suddenly, I found myself immersed in a vibrant mosaic of cultures, languages, and perspectives. This shift was transformative, opening my eyes to the beauty that emerges when diverse voices come together. It was an experience that not only broadened my worldview but also deepened my commitment to fostering environments where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated. In this international setting, collaborative projects became a melting pot of ideas, and learning extended beyond textbooks to encompass a wealth of global perspectives. This has ignited a passion for working with students not only in my classroom but forming student groups to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for every individual. I am dedicated to creating environments where individuals feel safe to express their authentic selves, and where their voices are heard.

Ji Foof, Primary DEI Coordinator

JFOOF@ISL.CH

I was raised in a very traditional and Catholic culture in Portugal, where my education was rooted in a Catholic school environment. Driven by a passion for justice, I pursued and obtained a degree in law.
In 2016, my family relocated to Switzerland, and my two children joined ISL. One has since graduated. I have had many roles at ISL: parent, parent volunteer, ASA leader, PTA President, and, since 2022, I am a member of the ISL staff community, as Operations Coordinator.
My experiences have made me appreciate the incredible richness that comes from understanding and embracing diverse cultures, beliefs, and customs. As the DEI Administration Coordinator, I am committed to ensuring that everyone’s identity is respected, and that fairness and equity is upheld in our school and workplace.
I am especially excited to engage our administration and auxiliary staff in our continued DEI work. We are currently reviewing our policies and systems with a DEI lens and I believe that the involvement of our administration and auxiliary staff is crucial to creating a truly inclusive environment at ISL. Together, we can foster a sense of belonging and ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.
I am thrilled to contribute to a community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I look forward to making a positive impact.

Cristina Correia, Administration DEI Coordinator

CCORREIA@ISL.CH

Our Training

Inclusive Language

We are developing Inclusive Language guides for the school. The next step is for the Student Council to review and feedback on the draft Inclusive Language Guide. Members of staff can now include their pronouns on their email signatures.

Speak Up

Through a collaboration with Natalie Wilkins from Thriving Talent, the DEI Coordinators developed a 3-hour workshop for staff which was delivered as part of the professional development training for all staff at the start of the academic year 2023 and subsequently offered to the PTA. We trained a team of DEI Champions from across ISL to deliver the training to colleagues in small groups. This format enabled staff to explore subtle acts of exclusion; dignity and respect; and the 5-D model to speak up as colleagues and educators. All staff were encouraged to read and reflect on an excerpt from Aow, Angeline, et al. Becoming a Totally Inclusive School. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, Taylor & Francis, 2022.