David Tennant awards students, schools and campaigners for their commitment to healthy relationships

Students, staff and campaigners from across the UK have been recognised for their commitment to healthy relationships at the annual Tender Awards.

Hosted by star of stage and screen, David Tennant, the event celebrated amazing work of students, teachers and campaigners in their support of Tender’s mission to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Attending his first Tender Awards, David Tenant commented: ‘I’m delighted to join Tender to celebrate these brilliant schools, staff and students. With their remarkable creativity and dedication, they are contributing to real positive change and building a much more positive future for so many young people.

‘Tender has proven time and again the incredible impact of high quality relationships education – every child deserves access to this support.’

Tennant was joined by Tender Ambassadors Jodie Whittaker and Priyanga Burford as well as guest presenters celebrated actor Toby Jones; Nazir Azfal OBE, former prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service; Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre; Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion at event sponsor Clifford Chance; and politician Jess Philips.

London

Among the winners were St Mary Magdalene Church of England School in Greenwich whose pioneering work with boys and young men earned Tender’s ‘Outstanding Secondary School Award. Assistant Principal of Equalities and Disadvantage, Jermaine Gayle was highlighted for his dedication to addressing boys’ attitudes and behaviours towards female pupils and parents.

Discussing his work with Tender, Jermaine commented: ‘I saw the boys open up – talk about topics and have conversations they needed to have but couldn’t always happen in class. We made a space for them to explore what positive masculinity is for them.’

Students from Mulberry Academy Woodside were commended for their bravery and creativity in promoting the importance of healthy relationships. Daniel, Joshua and Jasmine received Tender’s Best Peer Advocate Award for their articulate participation in Tender workshops on BBC Breakfast and Sky News, as well as their impressive contribution to Tender’s recent parliamentary event at Portcullis House.

Further London schools celebrated include New River College, Highbury Quadrant, Foxfield Primary School, Urban Mission School, King’s Oak School and Middle Park Community Centre*.

West Yorkshire

Winner of the Outstanding Primary School Award, Lapage Primary School in Bradford have collaborated with Tender for more than three years thanks to the unwavering support of Assistant Headteacher Katie Fletcher. Their dedication led to a group of brave and talented Year 6 students delivering an accomplished presentation about healthy relationships at the recent West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership event, impressing the Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit and West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor.

They were joined by winner of Best Peer Ambassador, year 6 student Faahad from Beckfoot Heaton Primary School in Huddersfield. Faahad volunteered for a workshop with Tender Ambassador, actress Amy-Leigh Hickman, during which he showed an extraordinary amount of maturity and empathy.

His teacher commented: ‘He is a person who always reflects on his own self and how he can be better. He also shows understanding of others and respects different views.’

Students from All Saints Catholic College were also recognised with Tender’s Being Brave Award. During a recent Tender workshop, four remarkable students stood out and shone for their commitment, care and bravery. When at first no one volunteered to share their learnings with students outside the workshop, four incredible students bravely stepped forward to deliver an incredible presentation.

Cambridge

Founder of Cambridge charity Landlark, Beth Warmington was recognised with a surprise Healthy Relationships Changemaker Award for her tireless dedication to preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence. As founder of Landlark, a charity committed to building a world without violence abuse and harassment, Beth has worked with Tender since 2021, funding the first Tender Healthy Relationships projects in Cambridgeshire.

Further demonstrating her vigour for the cause, Beth received her award after completing the Three Peaks Challenge, trekking Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours to raise money to fund even more Healthy Relationships projects.

Bath

Bath secondary school teacher Sarah Macnaughton was recognised with Tender’s Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award for her dedication to healthy relationships at Oldfield School in Bath. Committed to building an open and welcoming environment, she has championed Tender’s RE:SET programme, a whole-school approach that embeds positive attitudes and behaviours throughout the school community.

In addition to guiding Oldfield to the successful completion of RE:SET, Sarah has joined Tender staff for a panel discussion at Bristol’s Festival of Activism, speaking with great passion about Tender’s work and mission.

Daisy Douglas, Programme Manager for Tender West, commented: ‘Sarah has a wonderful positive energy in all she does, curious and playful in the most respectful way. She goes above and beyond to ensure staff delivering relationships education feel confident and supported when teaching what can be challenging material.’

Manchester

Manchester Metropolitan University was recognised as the first university to complete Tender RE:SET Universities, an 18-month in-depth programme which equips staff and students with the skills and understanding to prevent abuse and build a healthy campus culture.

Tender CEO Susie McDonald said: ‘This event is the highlight of my year, bringing together the whole Tender community to the students, staff and campaigners who so brilliantly drive forward our mission.

‘With their support, we move ever closer to ending domestic abuse and sexual violence – and on days like today, I know we will make this a reality.’

More information

Tender CEO Susie McDonald is available for interview. Please direct media enquiries and interview requests to katevine@tender.org.uk (Mon-Wed) or cordelia@tender.org.uk (Thurs-Fri).

Find out more about the Tender Awards 2024.

*Full list of London award winners