As students, we believe that secondary schools in our borough do not consistently teach enough about respect, understanding, and the impact of hate crime. It is important that young people learn how to show empathy and appreciate people from different backgrounds. Schools should be places where students learn to treat everyone with kindness, no matter their beliefs or where they come from.

Our goal is to ask the Hounslow Council to work with local secondary schools to introduce a borough-wide education programme. We want schools to include lessons and activities that teach the importance of respect, celebrate diversity, and help students understand how to challenge discrimination.

Teaching these values can help create more inclusive communities. Schools could run workshops, group discussions, and projects that help students learn from each other and build mutual respect. These activities can help make our borough more understanding and welcoming.

Research shows why this is important. According to a survey we sent out for Year 9–Year 11 students at our school, we found that 71.4% of students say they have experienced or seen discrimination or disrespect at school.This shows that change is needed. Schools play an important role in shaping attitudes, so they should help encourage positive behaviour.

With your support, we can send a strong message to the council and ask them to introduce this borough-wide programme. Together, we can make sure students across our community learn about respect and understanding.

Please support this campaign by signing the petition. Your signature could make a difference- and could help to make respect, understanding, and tolerance a key part of education in secondary schools in the Hounslow borough.