Labour leader Ed Miliband visited a Hove school at lunchtime today (Friday 5 July).
Mr Miliband came to learn about the anti-homophobic bullying work at Blatchington Mill School which earned it the title of Stonewall School Champion.
The school has recently appointed equality commissioners – students whose role it is to make the school environment a happy one.
They decide what needs to change and their first target is to stamp out homophobic bullying in six months.
The school also has other initiatives in place to make sure that any LGBT students feel accepted and engaged in school life.
Mr Miliband, pictured with head Janet Felkin (below), was meeting a large group of students and parents to discuss this issue and to congratulate the school for leading the way in its efforts to tackle this issue.
He told pupils that when he started secondary school 32 years ago he didn’t know anyone who was openly gay because there was so much prejudice.
He also said: “Whatever school you go to and whatever background you come from you can achieve whatever you want. Go where your talents take you.”
In response to a question about homophobic bullying, one of several questions from pupils, Mr Miliband said: “I hope that the Labour and Conservative manifestos are as good as each other on this issue at the next election – and the Liberal Democrat and even the UKIP manifestos.
“Changing the law is the easy part although it’s taken years. Changing the culture is much harder.”
He said that until relatively recently men risked being prosecuted for having a relationship with another man.
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), he said, was famously put in prison 40 or 50 years ago for having a homosexual relationship.
The school said: “While student attainment and progress are of course a key school priority, student wellbeing is vital so all students are happy and then able to learn.
“Blatchington Mill is determined to remove barriers to learning for all our students.
“Our ethos is one of celebrating diversity and challenging prejudice in any form.
“We are proud to be a Stonewall champion school and welcomed the recent opportunity to discuss our anti-bullying strategies with the Brighton and Hove City Council anti-bullying scrutiny panel.
“This visit coincides with three student commissioners from Blatchington Mill School travelling to London to attend the Stonewall conference in London, which will be attended by Michael Gove (the Education Secretary).
“These students are from Year 9 (13 to 14 years old) and will receive training on how to lead anti-bullying initiatives in school as well as how to address and challenge homophobic language and bullying.
“Blatchington Mill School was reported as outstanding by Ofsted for behaviour and safety, including its success in tackling LGBT issues, and has continued to expand and advance its proactive work in this area.”
