the times | Tuesday December 21 2021 21
News
Ambassadors for
inclusion replace
head boy and girl
The head teacher of a Church of
England school is doing away with the
titles head girl and head boy because
she says that the terms are outdated.
Rachael Lucas said that pupils
elected to the roles would now be
known as “head’s ambassadors”, titles
that would provide “a welcoming
atmosphere for all”.
Lucas told parents: “At Bolton St
Catherine’s Academy we recognise and
celebrate diversity and inclusion. We
are delighted to be able to showcase our
commitment to this by thinking about
how we address our lead student am-
bassadors, moving away from the out-
dated notion of a head girl and boy.
“Small gestures can have big impacts,
and with many other initiatives we are
signalling our resolution to be an
institution that is welcoming to all.”
The school has maintained the head
boy and girl titles in its junior school.
A post on the school’s website added:
“Taking the place of the traditional
head boy and girl titles, we will now use
the term head ambassadors. The three
selected students to take on this excit-
ing role are Sophia, Ted and Jemima.
“They have already started strong, by
giving their first public speech at open
evening, touring parents around the
academy, hosting activities and helping
at summer school. They also assistedstaff on our Year 7 transition day at the
beginning of term.”
The move provoked anger on social
media when news reached Facebook.
Dave Campbell said: “God help us.
Teachers need re-educating. The genes
don’t lie. Male or female, boy or girl.
Cannot be anything else.”
Diane Williams said: “No wonder our
teenagers have mental issues they don’t
know who they are any more.” Ruth
Williams posted: “Need to get down to
the basics of supporting kids to learn.
Failed my daughter miserably.”
More than 20 pupils applied for the
“ambassador positions” at the school,
which teaches 1,260 children from the
age of three to 16. Three were chosen:
Ted Hodson-Fitton, Sophia Hughes
and Jemima Alasoadura.
Ted said: “I am grateful for the oppor-
tunity to be a head’s ambassador
because I am able to represent my
school in a positive way, showing our
community how amazing we are.”
Jemima said: “Being someone from a
multi-heritage background within an
English school has helped me to under-
stand the importance of celebrating
culture and diversity within school life,
and as a head’s ambassador it’s essential
to me that as a school that we celebrate
those differences that make us all
unique.”Awe-inspiring view
The ruins of Kilchurn
Castle are reflected in
Loch Awe, near
Dalmally on the west
coast of Scotland, one
place that may see
snow this weekendLAND OF LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY/BAV MEDIA