Since 2021, our school has had an Inclusion, Diversity and Equality ALliance (also known as the IDEAL Club). Here, students have a safe space to discuss their own experiences or how to support their friends who are LGBTQ+. The club meets every Friday 1:10 – 2:00 in the Library.
Staff members are present to facilitate the group (and have received training from BelongTo), but it is student led and student centred. Each year a student leader is elected by the club. Activities include: debates, fundraising, group discussions, films, awareness campaigns, keeping up the noticeboard, discussing inspirations, guest speakers and peer-to-peer advice.
Students also represent the club at Mercy SHINES and our school Open Evening.
The club also frequently has “tea and a chat” weeks, where students have a chance to talk about everything or nothing with likeminded students in a pressure-free environment.
The club is also involved in running our annual Stand Up Week, with information, crafts, films, music, quizes and whole school activities having been created in the past. This complements our annual flag photo, with our whole school community taking part.
Stand Up Week is a very important week in our school, it is here to raise awareness to issues like bullying, discrimination and harassment. But it also encourages inclusion and empathy towards all members of our school community.
Weeks like Stand Up Week and Culture Week are so necessary and important because they allow every single member of this school community to feel the support and respect they deserve.
Every person in this school deserves to feel the support of their school community, so thank you all for participating in Stand Up Week this year and every year.
