June 30, 2023

Lionheart scoops national education award for inclusion

We’re thrilled to have won the Inclusivity Award at the national MAT Excellence Awards 2023! Having been shortlisted in both the Executive Team of the Year and Inclusivity categories, we were named winners of the Inclusive award at a glittering ceremony in London on 29th June, in the company of many other fantastic UK multi-academy trusts.

The award recognises our commitment to ensuring our Trust is inclusive for both students and staff and the many ways in which we strive to make sure that every voice is heard and everyone has a seat at the table. As a Leicester/Leicestershire based trust serving one of the most diverse communities nationally, this adds to our drive for inclusivity. 

The judging panel said: “Staff and student voice are central to the trust’s approach. The judges appreciated the impact of action being taken in a range of areas, such as recruitment, career development and the curriculum, and the focus across faith, ethnicity, class and LGBTQ+.” 

We have taken – and continue to take – a multi-faceted approach to driving forward diversity and inclusivity to ensure our people from all aspects of society are able to thrive in our organisation. Our approach is both strategic and creative and is already having impact.   

Following research, including staff and student voice sessions, our work has included; a focus on staff recruitment; unconscious bias training; career mapping; leadership development; visual representation; a whole trust diversity calendar and diversity celebrations including faith, LGBTQ+ and disability; a launch of staff community consultation groups including LGBTQ+, Working Class, BAME and Disability; a global issues curriculum educating students on highly topical subjects as they happen; a celebration of student faiths during Interfaith Week; and a Pride Festival for students and staff. 

As a result of our work on equality, diversity and inclusion so far... 

Students have said: 

“We have strong discussions and have a chance to change things.” 

“Staff will challenge [unacceptable behaviour] and work hard to get it right.” 

 

Staff have said: 

“Lionheart listens and seeks to walk in others’ shoes.” 

“There is some way to go in society, but I feel confident that trust leaders are focused.” 

We are overwhelmed to have been given this award, but recognise that our work on inclusion is not complete, it is continuous and adaptable as we learn, improve and grow.