Urswick is first school in Hackney to bag national equality award

Proud: headteacher Richard Brown with EQualities director Dr Christine Derrington. Photograph: Urswick

The Urswick School has become the first in the borough to win a prestigious EQualities Award.

The prize, which is recognised by education watchdog Ofsted, is handed out to schools that go the extra mile in championing equal opportunities for children.

Assistant headteacher Martha Braggins, who is responsible for equality at Urswick, said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved this award with our first submission. The equalities agenda lies at the heart of everything we do in the school, both in the classroom and in wider, extra-curricular provision.”

Like all public bodies, schools and academies have a statutory duty under the Equality Act 2010 to advance equal opportunities and tackle discrimination.

Staff and governors at Urswick, which is on Paragon Road, undertook a thorough review of the school’s policies and practice, and submitted their findings to the awards team.

Centre stage: students join staff to celebrate the award. Photograph: Urswick

EQualities director Dr Christine Derrington, who attended a special assembly at Urswick to present the plaque, said: “The school works hard to challenge discrimination and actively promotes positive attitudes towards disability, ethnicity and gender equality which helps to dispel stereotypes and raise aspirations for all its students.

“This achievement signifies a genuine commitment and determination to uphold important core values, extend opportunities and challenge inequality in all its forms.”