Ealing is among 18 London boroughs including neighbours Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow who have signed up to The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s London’s Inclusion Charter.
The Charter is a partnership between schools, young people and local authorities to help tackle suspensions and absenteeism from school and youth violence across the capital.
It seeks to boost school pupils’ sense of belonging and reduce the chances of them getting involved in crime.
In Ealing, Ark Acton and Ealing Virtual School have been involved with research for the Charter and the Mayor is encouraging all schools in Ealing and across London to sign up to the principles of the Charter and the free support it offers.
In the study of 4,000 school children, parents and educators commissioned by the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) it revealed that two-thirds of primary school children and over half of secondary-aged young people felt that having school rules that were fair would help them feel safe, while 67 per cent of primary students felt not being listened to impact their sense of belonging.
From the views of those taking part in the research, the Charter sets up four guiding principles: embedding equity and diversity, students as active citizens, being adaptable and reflective and beyond academic achievement.
The Mayor said: “We are seeing suspensions and absenteeism rise both in London and the rest of the country. The equivalent of more than 1,400 children are losing out on education each day in London alone. We also know there is a correlation between school exclusions and violence.”
He added: “It’s why we are launching London’s Inclusion Charter – the first of its type city-wide. My VRU has led the way, working in partnership with young people, local authorities and schools to develop a Charter that prioritises education in our city that is fully inclusive, fair and available to all.”
Lib Peck, director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit added: “We know that children and young people are safer in school. It’s why tackling all forms of school exclusions and driving up attendance is core to the VRU’s prevention work. London’s Inclusion Charter is a commitment to change that promotes and invests in inclusive practice. Children’s rights and the experience of teachers is at its heart.
“There are already lots of schools and local authorities demonstrating inclusion and its flourishing. Our work has been about building momentum to help support that and to realise our ambition of a London-wide Charter that prioritises inclusion, belonging and safety.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “The council has confirmed its commitment to this Charter, which aligns with our own vision and desire to move forward on our ‘Ealing for Everyone’ pledge, which was set out in our manifesto and Council Plan.”
The spokesperson added: “We are currently further developing the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award in our schools and in the coming weeks we’ll set out our actions to support the London Inclusion Charter in partnership with local secondary schools.”
