Transformative Partnership with Leading Institutions Paves the Way for Gender Equality at King Edward VI School

King Edward VI School is proud to announce, since its participation in Gender Action since 2020, the school have now achieved champion level status. Gender Action is a pioneering partnership with esteemed institutions such as King’s College London, Institute of Physics, University Council of Modern Languages, and Institute of Education. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize schools and nursery environments by implementing an award program that recognises and addresses the impact of gender stereotyping on pupils, particularly in relation to subject and career choices. The underlying vision is to dispel the notion “that there are inherent gender differences limiting anyone’s interests, capabilities, or ambitions”.

During the 2021 academic year, the dedicated teaching staff at King Edward's, embarked on a comprehensive study focused on gender equality. The exploration delved into pedagogy and amplified pupil voices within the school community. This forward-thinking initiative demonstrated the school's commitment to practising gender equality in the classrooms while ensuring that the perspectives of students remained at the core of the educational experience.

The exemplary efforts of King Edward's teaching staff have not gone unnoticed. Gender Action, in collaboration with King's College London, recently accredited the school for its outstanding work, marking its achievement of the Champion Level award stage. The recognition from Gender Action reflects the school's dedication to fostering an environment that challenges gender stereotypes and promotes inclusivity.

In response to the accomplishment, a spokesperson from Gender Action conveyed their appreciation, stating, "Congratulations for all of the fantastic work that you have done so far. It is very inspiring to see the dedication you have put into this project, and we look forward to seeing this continue into the future."

Mr Parker, Head said “I am immensely proud of the dedicated teaching staff and their commitment to fostering a gender-inclusive educational environment. Our collaboration with leading institutions through Gender Action reflects our belief that there are no inherent gender differences limiting anyone's interests, capabilities, or ambitions. The recognition we've received is a testament to the hard work and forward-thinking approach of our teaching staff, who have embraced innovative strategies to promote gender equality in the classroom”

Ms Forsey, Assistant Head, Co-Curricular said “It is inspiring to work with so many dedicated and forward-thinking practitioners who made this study possible. My particular thanks to Mr Rob Simm (Head of Physics) who first bought gender action to the attention of the school particularly through his department's work over the past five years to improve the proportion of girls taking A-level Physics to well above the national average. Twenty colleagues, across six faculties, undertook to include focused gender equality strategies in their classroom practice and come with me on my journey to better promote gender equality in education through dedicated study and research. Ensuring equal pupil voice during Q&A sessions, balancing leading and supporting roles across the genders, designing their curriculum to ensure diversity in expert examples and role models and changing the role and purpose of seating plans.

All this and more were explored during the study, alongside dedicated pupil voice focus groups and the reinvigoration of a now thriving Feminist Society. I could not be more delighted that this work has been recognised by Gender Action. Knowing the immense pressure that negative social stereotyping can bring to young people, it is a great sense of personal pride that in our commitment to gender equality we can take one step further to making a positive difference for our pupils”.

Mandi, Year 13 said “As a School, we incorporate intersectionality much more than we used to which is great to see”.

King Edward's is excited about the positive impact this recognition will have on the school community and is committed to maintaining its momentum in promoting gender equality. As we move forward, the school remains steadfast in its pursuit of creating an educational environment where every student can thrive, unrestricted by gender stereotypes.