Students in Alperton remember victims of honour-based violence with visit from Education Secretary

Pupils at a school in Alperton joined the Secretary of state for Education Nicky Morgan to mark the first national Remembrance Day for victims of honour-based violence last week.

The students were each given a book and the Secretary of State led a special assembly - Credit: Archant

Students from Alperton Community School on Stanley Avenue welcomed the Secretary of state for Education Nicky Morgan who is also Minister for Women and Equalities, Freedom charity founder Aneeta Prem to remember those who have lost their lives in ‘honour killings’, also known as ‘dis-honour’ violence.

Students held a balloon-release ceremony as a mark of respect for lives lost to honour-based violence and performed a short play about the issues surrounding forced marriage inspired by Mrs Prem’s book “But it’s not fair” before an assembly tackling issues facing young people and children in communities around London.

Students were given their own copy of Mrs Prem’s book and staff at the school re-iterated their commitment to safeguarding young people who may be at risk of honour-based violence and related issues.

Gerard McKenna, Headteacher of Alperton Community School said: “We strongly believe that our students must be made aware of the risks and dangers associated with forced marriage and honour-based killings.

“As a School, we have been fortunate as we have not encountered any of these issues first hand. However, we whole-heartedly support the work of the Freedom Charity, as it has been extremely effective in raising the awareness of these challenging issues to young people.”