The Education Equality Index – compiled by leading lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall – ranked Waltham Forest as the highest achiever in the capital and third nationally.

The results of the Index, which is the first of its kind produced by Stonewall, were announced by the charity last Friday (1 July 2011).

“That our schools have been recognised as leaders in London speaks volumes about the dedication of Waltham Forest’s officers, teaching staff and pupils,” said Cllr Saima Mahmud, Waltham Forest’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

“We’ve taken risks perhaps other authorities would not have taken in the past, to address sometimes contentious issues head-on in the classroom. If the work we’ve done with Babcock, our education contractor, means just one pupil feels more comfortable discussing their sexuality or has a better understanding of same-sex relationships, it is reason enough to carry on.”

The Index measures both good practice and policy, and includes questions over three areas: the role of the local authority, working with local schools and working with the community.

Stonewall gave particular recognition to Waltham Forest’s youth involvement projects, which have supported young people to speak out against homophobia. One such project was a West End production involving pupils from six Waltham Forest secondary schools, focusing on the aftermath of a homophobic attack.

Sarah Thistle, who manages Babcock’s Change for Children team responsible for developing the borough’s anti-bullying programme,
said: “This recognition is a testament to many years of partnership work around equalities and diversity. This has included the development of anti-bullying monitoring systems, working with faith communities to develop a values framework for sex and relationship education, as well as our broader citizenship and cohesion work.

“The journey we have travelled with schools, partners, parents and young people has clearly signalled that homophobia is simply not acceptable and will be challenged.”

Notes to Editors:

1.    Invitations were extended to the 149 English local authorities
and the 32 Scottish local authorities to participate in Stonewall’s first Education Equality Index. 35 local authorities from across England and Scotland entered. Together they cover over 6,000 primary, secondary and special schools.

2.  Babcock 4S, part of Babcock International Group, is the largest integrated school improvement and support services provider in the country, awarded "Best Supplier to the Education Sector" at the 2010 Education Investor Awards, it works with over 500 education establishments and 50 local authorities including the London Borough of Waltham Forest, the London Borough of Greenwich and the Department for Education, providing a full range of support services that raise educational standards and reduce costs. 

Mike Dennehy, PR / Public Affairs Manager
Babcock International Group
Mike.Dennehy@babcock.co.uk
01372 834303