Many of you will have read the depressing headline on Monday (based on the Khan Review of the Threats to Social Cohesion and Democratic Resilience) that ‘Only US is more divided than Britain’. These are some of the key findings:

• A decline in democratic resilience is creating a “permissive environment” for extremists to exploit.
• 45% of those questioned said they almost never trusted the government to put the nation’s interests first, regardless of the party in power (compared with 23% in 2020).
• Only 41% of people trusted their neighbours.
• Out of 28 countries, the UK was the least trusting at 39%.  
• The study found 45% of young men had a positive view of Andrew Tate, the misogynist with millions of followers who is facing charges of rape and human trafficking.
• 10% of people shared the views of those who engaged in violent disorder during the summer riots and had sympathy for the use of violence against refugees.

We do our best to build community and social cohesion every day at LGS, through: the role-modelling of staff and senior pupils; our peer mentoring, anti-bullying and wellbeing initiatives; our vertical house system; the proactive messaging around tolerance and respect in assemblies and Life Education; our themed events such as Culture Day; and our community gatherings or services in St Nick’s as we celebrate, for example, Founders’ Day or Christmas. We have also aimed to approach situations like the Middle East conflict with sensitivity towards the diverse membership of our community. We have emphasised the importance of pupils sharing well-researched views in a rational and respectful manner.

Nationally, I was encouraged to see the re-opening on Wednesday of Spellow Lane Library in Liverpool, which was torched in the summer violence. More than 135 other libraries were illuminated in support, "an opportunity to show that hate will never win in our communities". I strongly believe that most people want to belong to cohesive communities and be good neighbours.

We cannot deny that our pupils inhabit the better educated and more privileged echelons of society, and I hope they will always wear this privilege lightly. With this privilege also comes a responsibility to make a positive difference to the society in which they live, challenging injustice and views that are obviously extremist and harmful. I believe in our young people, and I am always heartened when my hopes for them are almost invariably met by a strong sense of optimism. In their hands, we can look forward to a brighter future.

Best wishes,

John Watson
Headmaster and Principal