NEWS
School enhances mandatory PSHE curriculum to teach students how to combat toxic masculinity
In the wake of ‘toxic’ male role models, such as Andrew Tate, ACS International School Egham has amended the mandatory PSHE curriculum so that it has relevance for its student cohorts.
To deliver the dedicated workshops, the school has partnered with gender equality organisation, Action Breaks Silence, where students, aged 13 - 14, have been given the tools to tackle topics such as toxic masculinity and promote female empowerment.
Lauren Kelley, ACS International School’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, said: “When our students shared their concerns about a rise in misogynistic beliefs, we knew we needed to open the conversation between staff and students in order to better understand student experiences and take action. “By amending the compulsory PSHE syllabus, we are
taking an active step towards a more equitable environment, as well as ensuring our community members recognise that understanding and challenging societal norms can lead to positive change.” To ensure that content, sessions and support is tailored to students’ needs, staff at ACS Egham monitor a number of platforms, such as The Wellbeing Hub – Teen Tips, and distribute student surveys. Students also have access to the Hub to give them professional advice and practical tools on issues relevant to young people today.
ACS Egham is one of only two schools in the UK to offer all four IB programmes.
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https://www.actionbreakssilence.org/
Coventry school pupils and parishioners joined by top performers for annual celebration of Irish culture
Irish musicians and performers joined a Coventry primary school to help pupils mark St Patrick’s Day, with scores of visitors coming together to celebrate.
Irish music group Coventry Comhaltas and Irish dance academy Celtica joined a host of young performers as well as parents and staff at St
Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, for a day of traditional music, dance and poetry in celebration of Irish culture.
More than 100 people from across the local community and St Patrick’s parish attended the event, which featured renditions of songs from the likes of The Dubliners and readings of iconic poetry from W.B. Yeats, as well as Irish dancing.
Visitors were also able to win a range of prizes at a St Patrick’s Day raffle, including an Irish food hamper and Guinness cake.
McHugh Irish Dance also attended in the afternoon, featuring pupils from St Patrick’s as part of the line-up.
Mark McLoughlin, Principal at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, said the event showed a sense of unity between the school and the community, with a range of cultures and backgrounds participating. He said: “We followed up our morning mass on St Patrick’s Day with a fantastic celebration of Irish culture, bringing people across the community together for some magnificent performances, including from our own pupils.
“It was a privilege to have Coventry Comhaltas and Celtica join us one of the biggest days in the Irish cultural calendar. We had the chance to witness some high-quality performances, and it was great to see parents and parishioners enjoying themselves.
“It was also pleasing to see so many people from non-Irish backgrounds getting involved, emphasising the togetherness and sense of community surrounding our school.”
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https://www.st-patricks.coventry.sch.uk/ Students building up to UK first at Middlesbrough College
A group of students at Middlesbrough College could become the UK’s first all-female bricklaying gang as they build up their careers in the construction sector. The College’s Level One Bricklaying Diploma course currently has six female students on its books looking to make their way in what is still a male-dominated profession.
If all six make it through to becoming fully qualified bricklayers, they could end up being the first all-female bricklaying gang in the country – an estimated 99% of the UK’s on-site construction workers are male. The group includes 17-year-old Lily Collins from Brotton, 18-year-old Georgia Biswas from Hemlington and 18-year-old Jessica Costello from Redcar.
The students and their fellow course members were recently put through their paces and given encouragement in their career paths by Michael Johnson, regional apprenticeship manager for Persimmon Homes North East, Teesside and Durham.
Michael noted that women are still underrepresented in the construction industry, particularly in bricklaying, however there is genuine progress being made across the industry with female representation steadily rising.
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www.education-today.co.uk
He added: “Here at Persimmon we have just launched our Women’s Network, which aims to foster a positive space for our colleagues to share ideas and offer support across the whole business. “We are proud our number of female apprentices and trainees is three times above the industry average, but we can’t stop there. Last year we launched our Target 50 initiative to hire a further 50 female apprentices or trainees in construction facing roles, as we prioritise the diversification and training of our workforce.”
Mike Emery, head of construction at Middlesbrough College, said: “It is terrific that Lily,
Georgia, Jessica and our other female bricklaying students are approaching the course with such enthusiasm and have already shown considerable ability.
“At the College, we are firm believers that there are no ‘male’ or ‘female’ professions, and that opportunity should be open to all. “We wish them and everyone on the course well and we’ll ensure they are supported throughout their studies and beyond.”
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https://www.mbro.ac.uk/ April 2023
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