Too many schools are still failing to educate pupils about same
sex relationships and promote LGBTI equality and inclusiveness,
teachers have told the NASUWT-The Teachers’
Union.
Teachers attending the Union’s LGBTI Teachers’ Consultation
Conference today (Saturday) in Birmingham raised concerns that
many schools are still failing to tackle
homo/bi/transphobia.
A real-time electronic poll of members attending the Conference
found that:
- Only 32%
said that their school includes same sex relationships as part of
its teaching about relationships and families;
- 56% said
they had witnessed some backlash from either pupils, parents or
colleagues when their school tried to teach pupils about LGBTI
relationships & equality;
- 41% said
they feel their school does not take tackling homo/bi/transphobia
seriously.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT,
said:
“Schools have a very important role to play in promoting LGBTI
equality, which starts with ensuring the curriculum is inclusive
and that a strong message is sent to the whole school community
that homo/bi or transphobic abuse or bullying will not be
tolerated.
“Schools should be safe environments where staff and students of
all sexual and gender identities feel included and respected.
Where LGBTI equality is not mainstreamed into the work of a
school this is unlikely be to the case.
“We need greater support for schools in taking forward this work
and action where schools do not promote a culture of
inclusiveness.”
