Lord Mayor of Manchester visits Wardle Academy

Lord Mayor of Manchester visits Wardle Academy

Carl Austin-Behan, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, visited Wardle Academy to meet the students and deliver an assembly about LGBT on Tuesday.

Wardle Academy has a growing number of students acting as LGBT ambassadors from all walks of life; their aim being to achieve equality for all students, regardless of sexuality.

Three students greeted Councillor Austin-Behan, along with the head teacher and other members of the senior leadership team.

The Lord Mayor delivered an assembly to year nine. He talked in depth about his life and the struggles he faced with society’s acceptance of his sexuality, focussing particularly on others’ acceptance and rejection of his sexuality within certain professional institutions such as the RAF and Fire Service. 

Following the assembly, there was an opportunity for an open floor where students were invited to ask questions.

A school spokesperson said: "The Lord Mayor’s visit has already had a profound effect on Wardle Academy and its students.

"Students have already begun to plan an LGBT Awareness Day, along with arranging to have an LGBT notice board in school."

Lord Mayor Austin-Behan is Manchester’s first openly gay Mayor.