Celebrating Neurodiversity at BGS

This week, our Headmistress’ Blog is taken over by Mr Gibson, SEND Teacher, who shares insights from Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026.

In recent years, awareness of neurodiversity has rightly grown in both education and wider society. As teachers, parents and students, we are increasingly recognising that there is no single “normal” way for a brain to work. Neurodivergence including ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other differences – is part of the natural variation of human thinking. With this awareness comes an important responsibility: to better understand, support and celebrate the young people in our care.

For neurodivergent students, school can sometimes present challenges. These may include differences in attention, organisation, sensory processing or social communication. However, it is just as important – if not more so – to recognise the many strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring. Creativity, problem-solving, resilience, empathy, attention to detail and original thinking are just a few of the qualities that can flourish when students are supported in the right environment.

This belief sat at the heart of BGS’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026, which we built around the theme: “Thriving, Not Surviving.” The message was simple but powerful: neurodivergent students should not just be getting through school – but that they are capable of excelling. Whether academically, creatively or in sport, our aim was to show students that success is not only possible but that it can be expected.

A highlight of the week was welcoming back several of our inspiring alumnae – Astra (DAHS, 2007), Suzanne Tanser (BHS, 1988), Beth Price Williams (DAHS, 2007) and Rhiannon Douglass (BGS, 2025) – who generously gave their time to speak with students. Through talks and Q&A sessions, they shared their personal journeys, including both the challenges they faced and the successes they have gone on to achieve. Students found these sessions invaluable. Hearing real stories from relatable role models helped to normalise neurodivergent experiences and provided tangible examples of what “thriving” can look like at and beyond school.

We were also delighted to extend the conversation to parents and carers through two dedicated events. Our online session, Study Skills for All, offered practical strategies to support learning at home, many of which are particularly beneficial for neurodivergent students. This was complemented by an in-person event, Thriving, Not Surviving in Education, which focused on understanding and supporting neurodivergent girls, a group whose needs have historically been overlooked. Both sessions aimed to equip families with tools, insights and confidence to support their children more effectively.

The week concluded with a whole school assembly on Monday, where Rhiannon Douglass shared her own experiences of being neurodivergent in school. Her honesty and openness resonated deeply with students. Alongside this, we explored what it means to be an ally: how students can support their neurodivergent peers through understanding, patience and respect. Small actions – listening, including others, and challenging misconceptions – can make a significant difference in creating a truly inclusive school environment.

While Neurodiversity Celebration Week provides a valuable opportunity to focus our attention, the messages we shared must not end here. Awareness is only the starting point. True inclusion requires ongoing commitment – from classrooms to homes, and from students to staff. It is about continually adapting our approaches, listening to student voices, and recognising that one size does not fit all.

Advocating for and celebrating neurodivergent minds is not a one-week initiative; it is an ongoing and essential part of building a school culture where every student can succeed. When we move beyond simply supporting students to helping them thrive, we unlock not only individual potential, but the richness and diversity of thought that benefits our entire community.

You can follow all things SEND at BGS on Instagram @BGSSEND.