A BRADFORD school has become the first in the North of England to receive an accreditation by a charity dedicated to ending violence against women.

Oasis Academy Lister Park in Manningham was this week recognised by the White Ribbon Campaign - a movement to end male violence against women and girls.

Four male students and four male staff have volunteered to become “white ribbon ambassadors” to champion the cause in the school.

The school was presented with a certificate to mark the work it is doing by Chris Green, who founded the campaign in 2005, at an event on Thursday.

The campaign has a growing body of ambassadors who work to tackle the problem in workplaces and communities. Its aim is to change men’s attitudes, and encourage men and boys to speak out about violence against women and challenge negative gender stereotypes.

Figures show domestic violence in Bradford is rising, and specialist domestic violence services suggest that 50 per cent of their clients in the district never report domestic violence to the police.

Mr Green said: “In the light of this growing problem we welcome and celebrate the commitment of Oasis Academy Lister Park to becoming an accredited White Ribbon institution.

“We hope that Oasis can be a pioneer on this issue and this will be the first of many school partnerships in the area.”

Rugby League star Ikram Butt, who works with the school, was also at the presentation.

Rev. Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, says: “Together we must raise awareness of violence against women, and ultimately eradicate it.”