It’s been a busy week for the Exceeding Expectations project, the new Exceeding Expectations newsletter is online now and BBC Radio Manchester have just run an in-depth feature on Exceeding Expectations – Manchester’s anti homophobic bullying initiative.

Chris Fox from Healthy Schools Manchester and Exceeding Expectations spoke to Mike Shaft on Sunday 31 May as part of BBC Radio Manchester’s Breakfast Show.

On the show Chris spoke about the serious problem of homophobic bullying in schools; highlighting that 90% of schools across the UK have a problem with homophobic bullying.

The Sunday morning Breakfast Show often discusses issues of faith, making it an important platform to talk about the need for projects like Exceeding Expectations in faith schools.

Stonewall’s School Report highlighted that homophobic bullying was worse in faith schools, but Fox comments that he was buoyed by the reaction to Exceeding Expectations at a recent presentation for faith schools, as well as the project receiving support from the Bishop of Manchester.

Chris said: “Faith schools are just as determined to stop homophobic bullying as we are”. He continued that all schools have  a responsibility to tackle homophobic bullying and that Exceeding Expectations was there to support them, support their pupils.

He also told Shaft about the positive impact that Exceeding Expectations had made in mainstream schools, he said: “We have found understanding and awareness increasing, and homophobia decreasing.”

Listen to Chris on BBC Radio Manchester's Breakfast Show by using the player below.

The new Exceeding Expectations newsletter is online now, the latest issue of the newsletter celebrates the projects successes over the last three years, we hear from the Bishop of Manchester (Rev Nigel McCulloch) and Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan on why more must be done to stop homophobic bullying and there’s a round up of  the projects resources.

To download the new newsletter, click here.

For more on Exceeding Expectations check the Lesbian and Gay Foundation's website, click here.

Stand up to homophobia: The LGF's Walk Against Homophobia takes place on Saturday June 13, to sign up for the walk, click here.