Woodside High School has become the first London secondary school to win the prestigious Stonewall School Champion Gold award. Woodside High is only the sixth school ever to win the award, which gives greater recognition to schools tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and celebrating diversity.
Sir Ian McKellen visited Woodside High to celebrate this achievement.
Research by Stonewall shows that secondary schools that take an active, positive approach to tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and bullying get the best results. The Stonewall School Champions programme schools support and is aimed at creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students.
“We are absolutely delighted that Woodside High School has won the Stonewall School Champion Gold award. It is a testament to the hard work of our whole school community and our shared commitment to tackling prejudice in all its forms.”
Gerry Robinson and Elma Mc Elligott, Co-Headteachers, Woodside High School
“Stonewall are thrilled to award Woodside High School with a Gold Award in recognition for their hard work since joining the School Champions Programme. They will become the first secondary school in London to receive the award, the highest we offer in this category. I have visited Woodside personally a number of times and the happy, productive young people are testament to the hard work the faculty have put in, ensuring that every student at Woodside High is accepted without exception.”
Dominic Arnall, Head of Projects and Programmes, Stonewall