Exploring equality

Representatives from Beyond Equality visited Wetherby Senior to run bespoke, age-appropriate workshops with our Years 10, 11 and 12. These workshops were tailored to meet the needs of each year group, with sessions on topics related to sex and relationships, and sessions looking at preventing violence against women.

Feedback from these workshops was overwhelmingly positive, with one Year 10 pupil commenting that: “Beyond Equality provided me with useful advice for the future.” Other members of Year 10 said: “It was really interesting to hear everyone’s opinion,” and: “It provided a safe environment to discuss issues that we, and others, may face.”

Strong pastoral care is at the heart of Wetherby Senior, with our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme providing a comfortable and familiar environment for discussion of sensitive and potentially difficult topics. Headmaster, Mr Silvester, explains: “The challenges of the modern world continue to increase for all young people so, at Wetherby Senior, we are focussed on helping our pupils develop the tools to overcome these challenges. Our objective is for boys to leave Wetherby Senior as self-aware young men who are compassionate and thoughtful, with a keen understanding of the communities in which they live and work.”

Wetherby Senior’s PSHE programme has been further supported by our School’s partnership with Beyond Equality, formerly The Good Lad Initiative. This charitable organisation challenges gender stereotypes and preconceptions amongst young people, working to engage all men in preventing gender-based violence and in creating communities that are safe for everyone.

As our young people progress through Wetherby Senior, our workshops with Beyond Equality will continue build on important themes and issues, incorporating our School’s values into the work done by the Beyond Equality team.