Lode Heath School has been awarded GOLD by UK Feminista for their work in challenging sexism and sexual harassment.
At the first UK Feminista awards ceremony in June the work of Lode Heath School students and staff was recognised when they were awarded the gold pledge badge, one of only two schools in the country.
Led by Mrs Rogers, the school have been engaging with the training, guidance, and resources of the UK Feminista organisation to further improve the work in school to refresh a new whole school approach to tackling sexism, including gender stereotyping, sexual harassment, and sexist language.
UK Feminista have been recognised by their work in this area by the Department for Education and Lode Heath School is proud to be one of the first schools in the country to really embrace their research and suggested strategies.
And the impact of this is recognised by the students.
Aman Afza, Head Student for 2024/25, said: “We have established that sexism isn’t tolerated and our school has taken a strong stance against it”.
And his classmate Maria Gavriluic explained that it had made a huge difference to the school’s culture. “It feels safe to be a girl.”
To achieve the gold award and create such a positive impact, the work undertaken has been multi-faceted.
Various evaluations and surveys were undertaken to understand the issues for students and staff on the ground and these were then used to inform a comprehensive action plan which involved training for staff and a bespoke educational programme for students through the school’s Character and Personal Development programme.
Where specific concerns have then been raised, the school has been able to put in place bespoke interventions for individuals to further educate students.
A small contingent of students and staff travelled to the first UK Feminsta Awards Ceremony hosted at Kings College London’s Science Gallery where they were presented with their award.
The ceremony was hosted by award-winning children’s author and activist Onjali Q Rauf.
She said:“We are not going to be able to tackle domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment and sexual abuse by adults if we do not start work with our children.”
Lode Heath School’s commitment towards challenging sexism and sexual harassment is only part of their wider Character and Personal Development programme for students where a wide range of matters such as staying safe online, managing healthy relationships, tackling racism and other forms of discrimination, and anti-bullying to name but a few.
They have adopted a weekly focus approach across the whole school determined by both statutory needs as well as the local and national context.
Individual lessons, resources and strategies are bespoke to each year group to ensure the content is age appropriate.
In recognition of their excellent provision for students in Character and Personal Development overall, they were also awarded the ACE School of Character quality mark last year.
Ms Suddon, Associate Headteacher, said: “I am very proud that Lode Heath has been awarded the Gold Pledge badge by UK Feminista in recognition of the work achieved by our students and staff, led by Mrs Rogers.
“It demonstrates our commitment to support our student’s personal development and prepare them for life, education, and work after secondary school.”
And this is only one part of the work Lode Heath are undertaking in this area.
They were recently awarded the Careers Mark for their brilliant work in supporting students in preparing for post-16 education and employment, and they are currently undergoing assessment for the Anti-bullying Quality Mark too.
It is clear that the school is on a mission to secure the very best for its students in all aspects of their work.
For more information, visit www.lodeheath.org.uk
