The King’s School’s Head of General Science, Dr Rebecca Williams, has been shortlisted for a national award as one of “the 25 top influences and innovators” in the independent education sector. Becky is in stellar company on the list and it is unusual for a teacher to be shortlisted for this award so early in their teaching career.
The i25 Awards acknowledge the work of the 25 most influential people who have made an impact in independent schools across the UK, and whose influence has captured the imagination of others, changed their behaviours and had a positive impact on children.
Dr Becky Williams has been shortlisted for her work on championing the LGBT+ community and supporting LGBT+ pupils through their time at the King’s School. Dr Williams came to King’s as a Chemistry teacher after completing her doctorate at Manchester University and said: “I spent eight years as an undergraduate and PhD student in Manchester. Many of the friends I met at University were gay, and being LGBT+ in Manchester was to be celebrated. We had so many amazing Pride events in the university and the wider city that it was just part, a very enjoyable part, of the fabric of day-to-day life.”
Becky added: “When I came to King’s, it was an inclusive and supportive environment, but the LGBT+ community was not as openly discussed.”
Becky set about opening up debate to foster a more healthy, happy and open approach. “I consider myself a strong ally of the LGBT+ community and wanted to support our LGBT+ students and colleagues. It is important that today’s society, and the next generation, recognise that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated as part of our diverse and inclusive culture.”
Becky set up clubs for both Senior girls and boys, which now have a number of regular attendees, and she also introduced rainbow lanyards for the teachers to show their support and introduced sales of rainbow laces for pupils and teachers to wear. In addition, Becky has helped draft the school’s transgender policy and produced resources for PHSE lessons as well as running staff training sessions. Becky said: “King’s staff and students have been absolutely brilliant and helped to organise colour runs, invited in external LGBT+ speakers and organised rainbow Lego competitions - I was just the catalyst for what has been a whole school effort.” To help raise the profile of LGBT+ issues, Becky also runs a King’s Twitter account with a focus on diversity at: @KingsMaccEqual
Becky added: “I was really surprised to hear that I’d made the list of the top 25 innovators and influencers in UK independent schools. It’s wonderful that others feel that what I’ve been doing is helpful and can be replicated in other schools. It’s something I have enjoyed doing and it has been so welcomed by the King’s community.”
A gala award dinner will take place at the Waldorf Hotel in London in March and we look forward to celebrating Becky’s achievements with other movers and shakers in education.