THE HALO CODE: IDENTITY, INCLUSION AND STUDENT VOICE
●
Eltham Hill School adopted The Halo Code in 2020, joining a national movement challenging discrimination against Afro-textured hair and the hairstyles most closely associated with Black racial, ethnic and cultural identity.
The campaign grew out of the experiences of Black students who had been judged, excluded or penalised because of their natural hair or protective styles. Cases across London and the UK have shown how school appearance policies can disproportionately affect Black and mixed-race students, including pupils being challenged over afros and locs.
At Eltham Hill, the principle behind the Code sits within something wider: students should be able to express their identity and cultural background without feeling that they need to change who they are in order to belong.
Our students wear their hair in a huge variety of textures, styles and colours, alongside hijabs, headscarves, wraps and other expressions of cultural, religious and personal identity. Our approach is built on equality and respect, with appearance having no bearing on a student’s ability to learn, contribute or succeed.
TAKING THE CONVERSATION FURTHER
As part of the Halo Collective’s next phase of work, Eltham Hill was invited to take part in its first listening session at the organisation’s Brixton offices.
Ms Williams-Campbell and Ms Costa attended with students from Years 11 and 12, giving them an opportunity to share how the Halo Code is experienced within our school and suggest ways it could remain visible and meaningful for future students.
Their feedback will contribute directly to the Halo Collective’s developing accountability framework, which aims to ensure that schools do more than simply sign the Code and continue actively supporting its principles.
For Ochucko, the atmosphere immediately stood out:
“Everyone there was so welcoming, it genuinely felt like a community.”
During the session, she suggested introducing student representatives who could help younger students and keep conversations around hair and identity active within school — an idea very close to the Halo Guardians model now being developed by the Collective.
Keziah also valued having the opportunity to contribute:
“I learnt a lot more about the true meaning of the code. The ladies there were lovely and I felt really safe sharing ideas with them.”
For Joscelin, meeting the young women behind the campaign was particularly inspiring:
“It felt empowering to know that at the same age I am now, they were able to start an organisation that is becoming international and holds such great meaning.”
IDENTITY, CONFIDENCE AND BELONGING
The conversations also explored the effect that discrimination around appearance can have on confidence and belonging.
Safia described the listening session as a space where students could speak openly:
“They made it such a safe and judgement-free environment, which allowed me to feel empowered by my hair.”
And Britney reflected on why the campaign remains necessary:
“We talked about past discrimination against Afro-textured hair and how it affects the confidence of Black people when growing up.”
The Halo Code began with a specific and important issue — discrimination against Black hair — but its underlying message connects strongly with Eltham Hill’s wider values.
We want students from every background to feel that their culture, faith and identity are recognised and respected, whether that is expressed through natural hair, braids, brightly coloured hair, a hijab, a headscarf or simply the way they choose to present themselves.
For us, inclusion is not about everyone looking the same. It is about ensuring that everyone has the same opportunity to feel they belong.
Find out more about The Halo Code and the Halo Collective.
