Courageous Leaders

Exciting News! We now have a book! In Courage in the Classroom, our @LGBTEducators share their stories and give practical advice on how to ensure schools are #LGBT inclusive. Essential reading for #teachers. Pre-order here amazon.co.uk/Courage-Classr…

@antmiddleton I’m not

***STATEMENT RELEASE*** London, 27 March 2025 Following recent media coverage regarding Ant Middleton's disqualification as a company director for a period of four years, Ant wishes to provide full transparency and context around the circumstances which date back to the pandemic (the root cause). Over the past years, Ant has worked tirelessly to resolve the financial situation surrounding his former company, engaging directly and in good faith with both the appointed liquidator and HMRC. He reached a resolution that included a personal commitment to an agreed offer that was accepted and to which has been honoured and fulfilled. Ant is disappointed by the portrayal and tone of this situation and strongly refutes any implication of wrongdoing. He believes he has been unfairly singled out by HMRC, and questions the timing and nature of this decision, especially in light of his recent public declaration to stand as a candidate for Mayor of London. "This feels like a direct slur on my name and reputation, especially as I bid to step forward to serve the people of London," said Middleton. "Like many families across the UK, my wife and I struggled through the pandemic, raising five children, employing staff and building a business while facing the sudden collapse of live events, corporate workshops, day camps and speaking tours-my main source of income." Due to the unforeseen circumstances and fallout of the pandemic Ant made the difficult decision to place his company into voluntary liquidation. His priority was to do right by creditors, even at significant personal cost. Ant Middleton remains committed to transparency, accountability, and standing up for ordinary people in extraordinary times. He continues to advocate for fairness, for resilience in leadership, and for systems that support rather than punish those who strive to rebuild after hardship. REBUTTAL STATEMENT BY ANT MIDDLETON The recent director disqualification ruling is something I accept but do not believe tells the full story. I want to be clear: I didn't walk away from anything. I spent the past years working with the liquidator and HMRC to bring this to a fair resolution. I agreed to pay £300k, which they accepted and has now been paid in full. That's not something someone trying to dodge responsibility does. I want to be clear that ‘since’ liquidating my company I’ve paid a total of £555,449.24 in taxes to HMRC not £300,000. During COVID, my income-like millions of others-was devastated. My work relied on speaking events and human interaction which disappeared overnight. With five children, a household, staff and a stagnant business, I had little but no choice but to shut it down. What's happening now feels like I'm being punished not because of wrongdoing, but because I've dared to step into public life. I've made clear I want to run for Mayor of London to represent everyday people, and this feels like an attempt to damage that ambition. I'm not a rich man, I'm a working man-a family man. I've always stood up and fought for people, on the battlefield and now in public life. That won't change. If anything, this just fuels my determination to bring fairness and strength back into leadership. I will not be deterred.

Drawing on the work of @LGBTEducators, @DrCatherineLee posits that the skills that LGBT teachers need to navigate their school workplaces equip them with a distinct set of attributes that ideally place them to become excellent school leaders. Read today: my.chartered.college/impact_article…

Same-sex marriage became legal 10 years ago today. Equality is better late than never and always worth celebrating. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

🏳️‍🌈Anyone in #Cambridge want to come along and celebrate #LGBTHistoryMonth with me and @DrCatherineLee at @AngliaRuskin on Tues 6 Feb? It's a free event with conversation, Q&A, refreshments. eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbtq-histor…

February is #LGBTHistoryMonth so why not check out the books below by the brilliant @PrideProgress and @SarahHaggerHolt (and a couple by me) and learn all about #LGBTQ inclusion in schools.

A great choice of new books by @JennyFog and our @AngliaRuskin @ARU_AHESS ITT team. It’s more important than ever that trainee teachers are super-confident on inclusion. Can we add a copy of The Fights That Make Us too @SarahHaggerHolt #LGBTplusHM #ARUProud

Thank-you @PrideProgress

Very excited to commemorate #LGBTHistoryMonth with the wonderful author @SarahHaggerHolt as we discuss all things #LGBT and #Section28

Let’s ask trans students what support they need at school. We must use this consultation to hear from young people. My article for the ⁦⁦@ConversationUK⁩ on today’s guidance for schools. #LGBTQ #trans theconversation.com/trans-guidance…

'Regardless of our political allegiances, let us put #transgender young people front and centre in this consultation phase and *ask them* how we can best create safe and inclusive schools in which they can thrive both academically and personally.' –@DrCatherineLee @ConversationUK

Really excited to be working with the brilliant @DrAdamBrett and @EmeraldGlobal on this new book for 2024 #LGBTQ #Research

Good luck @edstudiesjoe

Delighted to be involved in this @PrideProgress event to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the repeal of #Section28 #LGBTQ tinyurl.com/2s3wzyfp

Parents can see content already. This is straight from the #Section28 playbook. The government creates moral panic for political gain and our teachers and young people are collateral. Parents, if the government cared what children were being taught, they’d fund schools properly.

My thoughts on season two of ⁦#Heartstopper ⁦⁦@Heartstopper_TV⁩ ⁦@hourlyhrtstppr⁩ #LGBTQ #Section28 theconversation.com/heartstopper-h…

Loved recording an episode of @PrideProgress with @jobrassington and @DrAdamBrett - Do listen to all 3 series you haven’t already.

Really looking forward to speaking at the @ManchesterPride Human Rights Forum this Friday. Come along! #stopthehate

This girl could never have imagined a day like today. #Lionesses #WorldCup2023

Pleased to publish this book with @mpsmoreau⁩ and ⁦@DrCynOkpokiri⁩ - Thanks to all those who contributed chapters. Reinventing the Family in Uncertain Times bloomsbury.com/uk/reinventing…