On Friday, Catch22 had the privilege of welcoming Edward Enninful OBE, Editor In Chief of British Vogue, and Sinéad Burke, CEO of Tilting the Lens, to Include London.
May’s issue of Vogue, “Reframing Fashion”, is one which focuses on disability and inclusion. This issue is a portfolio edition highlighting disability justice, accessibility, equity, intersectionality and pride, with Sinéad Burke as Consultant Editor. The magazine features and focuses on 19 disabled people in total from fashion, sport and the arts.
Include London is an Alternative Provision school that supports learners for whom mainstream education is not the right fit. Students may have additional to complex needs including social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A key focus of Include London’s delivery is on building trusting relationships that enable staff to quickly identify students’ barriers to learning and support our learners to reach their full potential. The school is located across two sites in West London, close by to where Edward grew up.
Edward and Sinéad hosted an enlightening conversation with our students, in which they discussed the importance of diversity, both in fashion and beyond. Edward and Sinéad also heard from our students on how they embrace their differences, and in return offered some insight into their journey to where they are now and how they overcame barriers to success.
Jo Shuter, Headteacher of Include London, said:
“It is brilliant for our students to have heard directly from such inspirational leaders as Edward and Sinéad. The visit highlighted to our students just how possible it is for them to achieve their greatest ambitions, whether in fashion or otherwise, and that disabilities and differences are to be recognised and celebrated.”
It was an enlightening conversation which demonstrated to our students their power in becoming the leaders of a more inclusive and accessible world.