Fusion
A support group for LGBTQ+ students
Fusion is Birchwood’s equality group, celebrating difference and diversity in our learning community. We meet weekly on a Tuesday lunchtime in D4. By coming to Fusion, students have the opportunity to go on relevant trips and attend speaker events (recently hearing Peter Tatchell and Olympic gold medalist Kate Richardson Walsh speak about their experience of being LGBT+), whilst also providing a regular space for students to meet their peers and create a supportive network within school. Being part of Fusion enables students to play an active role in school community through engaging in fundraising activities and ensuring that an attitude of acceptance and respect for all remains a central part of life at Birchwood.
Latest news and information
Stonewall Bronze Champions
Since December 2016, Birchwood High School has been a Stonewall School Champion. Stonewall is Britain’s leading LGBT+ charity, campaigning for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. Belonging to the programme demonstrates our school’s commitment to tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying and celebrating difference and diversity in education. This has seen Birchwood staff and students start an equality group, present assemblies to raise awareness, build links with other schools in our community and work to ensure that acceptance without exception is a central part of school life. Last week was the culmination of a lot of hard work when Birchwood received the news that we had been granted the Stonewall School Champion Bronze award. As a nationally recognised award, we can all be very proud of what has been achieved to date, working and learning in a school where difference and diversity is respected and celebrated. The work now begins towards gaining Silver status in the new year.
Stonewall school role model
Stonewall school role model Rabbi Irit Shillor from the Reform Community Harlow recently visited us.
Thank you Irit for answering our questions, hopefully we can arrange a visit to the synagogue.
Stonewall Young Campaigner
Out of over a hundred applicants Jonathan Cowen (12ZBL) has been offered a place as a Stonewall Young Campaigner by Stonewall. This platform will enable Jonathan to change perceptions and encourage diversity as well as increasing his knowledge and confidence on all LGBT+ matters. Jonathan will be required to attend a residential programme which will include workshops on how to be an effective campaigner. Jonathan is excited about this opportunity to work with Stonewall and represent Birchwood High School.
We are all extremely proud of Jonathan!
Mrs Manners & FUSION