A Congleton school has taken steps to challenge misogyny and the 'manosphere'.

Congleton Town Council's White Ribbon Group and Congleton High School have been working together to challenge misogyny and behaviours that can lead to gender-based violence.

The school leadership has asked the Congleton White Ribbon ambassadors to run workshops with every year group in the school this term, building on previous work with the senior years.

Head Teacher Heidi Thurland said: "Thanks to the ambassadors for agreeing to do this.

"We are so proud of our partnership with the White Ribbon team.

"It is empowering for our community."

Congleton Town Council's White Ribbon Group has been hosting workshops at Congleton High School (Credit: CTC)

The first of these sessions was with Year 11 who discussed 'incel' culture and unhelpful ideas about the roles of boys and girls, and what we can all do to challenge these and create a more positive environment.

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White Ribbon ambassadors Jonathan Dakin and Mike Wesley shared some hard-hitting facts about the impact of this on both boys and girls. 

For instance, students learnt that there is an incident of sexual harassment or domestic violence reported to the police every day in Congleton, on average.

Addressing the boys, Mr Dakin said: "Whose problem is this manosphere and online misogyny?

"It isn't women's responsibility to fix it, we must step up and do our part. If we don't, we are part of the problem."

White Ribbon ambassador Jonathan Dakin speaks to the pupils at Congleton High School (Credit: CTC)

After the session, most of the young people and all the staff present came forward to make their White Ribbon promise never to commit, excuse or ignore men's violence against women or any gender-based violence.

Assistant Headteacher Julie Boulton said: "The Year 11s were brilliant and engaged – the ambassadors' presentation hit just the right tone and made them think - they were really listening.

"We really valued this input and the way that they sensitively but powerfully covered what is an emotive but so important topic.

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"Many of the boys in the room said that they wanted to follow in the footsteps of the two head students, Barney Mitcheson and Olly Payne, who are delivering assemblies on this theme this week, and take over the mantle next year in sixth form.

"It was great to see the number and range of students, boys and girls, who signed up to make the promise to call misogyny out and wear the White Ribbon." 

Barney, who is also co-chair of the Youth Council, added: "The workshop sounded amazing and the year 11s came up to get their white ribbons in their masses, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

"We've had a good reception from our assemblies, especially from the older years, and I've been hearing really positive conversations going on around the school on this topic, as well as lots of people from all the years wearing their white ribbons.

"Hopefully this continues and we see a real change in the culture of our school".