Launch of the Holles Pride Club

You can sign up by clicking on the link here: https://www.hollesconnect.org.uk/clubs or going to the Clubs page on the Holles Connect website and requesting membership.  The club is kindly being run in conjunction with LEH Head of Upper School Flora Ellison, who also runs the LEH Pride Club in school.

Flora says: “It is a real joy being able to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community at LEH. Our Pride Club has gone from strength to strength in recent years. It is a whole school group, who meet each week over a lunch time and is open to any member of the school community. It provides a space for LGBTQ+ students and allies in which we aim to raise awareness, offer support, discuss topics, host talks and have a lot of fun.

“Numbers have grown enormously and students from 3rds-U6th are now fully involved, as well as an ever-growing number of staff which is fantastic. There are trained Pride Peer Mentors amongst the Sixth Form members, who are able to offer peer to peer support, as and if needed, to fellow students. We have also established links and run joint sessions with Hampton and other local schools. Ultimately, we are a wellbeing club with students taking the lead alongside staff who can enable and support as appropriate.

“We are keen now to extend our focus out to our alumni and create a community beyond just our current students. Those still at LEH would benefit hugely from hearing about the experiences of alumni and from positive role models who can give a picture of what life as LGBTQ+ adults and allies is like. They are so inspired by knowing that they are part of a wider history and LGBTQ+ LEH community. We are also keen to run some events and would love to hear from you about ideas you have for these. Please do get in touch.”

One of the U6 members says: “Over the course of my time at LEH, pride within the school community has flourished. Pride club has been one of the most important things in my life. It has helped me be more confident in my queer identity and taught me the importance of community and peer support.”

Please drop us a line at alumnae@lehs.org.uk with any thoughts or suggestions for events.  We plan to run a social get-together soon and would love to know if you have any recommendations for venues etc.