A former Rotherhithe deputy headteacher who ‘came out’ as gay to his whole school in response to homophobic bullying has been shortlisted for a diversity award.
Shaun Dellenty, who left his post as deputy headteacher of Alfred Salter Primary School last year, has been shortlisted for the positive LGBT role model award in this year’s National Diversity Awards.
In 2009, in response to homophobic bullying in his own school, the 50 year old ‘came out’ to the whole school community and devised a pioneering training and awareness strategy ‘Inclusion For All’ for education staff in primary, secondary and faith schools.
Shaun has personally trained education staff and teachers in schools and at initial teacher training faculties, and also works with a range of teacher trade unions, local authorities, and anti-bullying, human rights and hate crime faith organisations.
On being shortlisted for the award Shaun, who fought off fierce competition from 24,584 other nominees, said: “Having followed the incredible an inspiring diversity and inclusion work that so many of this year’s nominees have been undertaking, I am incredibly humbled and honoured to find myself on the shortlist.
“We must never rest on our laurels in terms of furthering equality and seeking to bring education, understanding, compassion and acceptance to the richness of natural human diversity.
“Learning about our potential for prejudice as human beings from the earliest opportunity and working with it positively can defuse its toxicity.
“Sincere thanks to those who nominated my work or wrote testimonials – your support is hugely appreciated.”
The National Diversity Awards 2018 will be held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on September 14.
To read more about Shaun’s work, visit: www.inclusionforall.co.uk