Award to recognise schools’ support for LGBTQ pupils

The ‘quality mark’ for schools will ease uncertainty about how to support LGBTQ pupils, says the UK’s first transgender headteacher to transition while in post
4th April 2018, 12:07pm

Share

Award to recognise schools’ support for LGBTQ pupils

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/award-recognise-schools-support-lgbtq-pupils
Thumbnail

An award has been launched to recognise schools’ commitment to addressing LGBTQ issues.

It is hoped that this will help schools to respond to the needs of students who identify as lesbian, gay, trans or queer/questioning.

The award, or “quality mark”, has been launched by Leeds Beckett University, which last year set up a centre for research and practice known as the Centre for LBGTQ+ Inclusion in Education.

The move has been backed by Claire Birkenshaw, the first headteacher in the UK to transition to a different gender while in post.

‘LGBTQ pupils will be heartened’

Ms Birkenshaw, who is also senior adviser for the teacher support website LGBTed, said: “I am absolutely certain that LGBTQ+ young people currently being educated in our schools will be heartened to see an Inclusion in Education Award that recognises and affirms who they are.

“No doubt, schools will be pleased, too, because it will ease some of the uncertainty of how best to support LGBTQ+ young people in learning environments.

“This award, I feel, is another positive step forward in ensuring that Britain truly is an inclusive place to live, work and learn, in which all people feel accepted and that they belong.”

Schools taking part in the award must demonstrate a deep commitment to working towards excellent practice and ensure that LGBTQ+ inclusion forms part of their core business.

The schools will be expected to translate their school’s mission, vision and values into policies, processes and practice that bear out a commitment to having a rich whole-school culture where all members of the school community thrive.

Academic lead Professor Jonathan Glazzard said: “The quality mark is based on a research-informed framework which enables school and college leaders to audit existing provision and identify priorities for enhancement.

“This is then followed by the implementation of actions to address those priorities to improve provision and outcomes for students who identify as LGBTQ+.”

Want to keep up with the latest education news and opinion? Follow Tes on Twitter and like Tes on Facebook

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared