Head's Newsletter -7 July 2023

DIVERSITY WEEK

DIVERSITY WEEK 26 - 30 JUNE 2023: June was a colourful month at Tiffin with flags and rainbows decorating the school, staff sporting rainbow lanyards and students wearing Ally badges in celebration of Pride Month and as a show of support for our school LGBT+ community. The highlight of the month was the last week of June when Tiffin joined over two million other pupils and school staff to participate in Diversity Week, organised by LGBT+ Charity Just Like Us, with interactive tutor time sessions, an exciting and highly competitive Student vs Staff Volleyball tournament, and a special presentation from two LGBT+ Young Ambassadors from Just Like Us who shared their personal stories with students.

Growing up remains unacceptably tough for LGBT+ young people: LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to feel lonely and worry daily about mental health than their peers. This has a potentially life - long

impact on young people ’ s attainment and wellbeing. Alongside our anti - bullying and safeguarding policies, taking part in School Diversity Week is an important way of actively supporting LGBT+ young people in our school, and of demonstrating our commitment to an inclusive school environment where every young person can be themselves and thrive. It is also a chance to explain to all our pupils the importance of diversity in the world we are preparing them for.

In conjunction with our celebrations, we organised a Rainbow Accessories Day and a Rainbow ice lolly sale to raise money for our Diversity Week chosen charity: Free2B Alliance who is a London based community organisation supporting LGBTQ+ young people and their parents. Free2B provide 1:1 and group services in schools and in the community, with all provisions co - developed with their members. They challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and provide LGBTQ+ awareness training to schools and organisations to promote inclusivity. They seek to provide safe spaces and champion empowerment, acceptance and a place where you are Free2B! Although the final tally isn't yet complete, your generosity helped us raise an

estimated £800 for them—thank you!