Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Silver lining for school’s inclusive practices and policies
IAN BUNTING
The culmination of a “yearlong journey” full of hard work and determination saw Airdrie Academy scoop a prestigious silver charter award from LGBT Youth Scotland.
Staff and pupils have championed LGBT rights and the school’s pupil equalities group Pride Not Prejudice (PNP) have been instrumental in “recognising and valuing diversity”.
The school have updated their policies and practice in meaningful ways which will allow all students to learn in a supportive environment.
The PNP group have also helped organise fundraising events, such as “Purple Friday”, and have so far collected more than £1700 for LGBT Youth Scotland, a charity that supports LGBTI youngsters.
Airdrie Academy’s LGBT champion and pupil support teacher, Stephanie Masterson, said: “Achieving the silver LGBT schools charter makes a statement that diversity and equality are the heart of our ethos; and that everyone is widely accepted here.
“You do not have to be a part of the LGBT+ community to make a difference; you can be an ally who supports equal rights, gender equality and someone who challenges homophobia.
“The LGBT charter is a bit like a progress chart, to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and staff experience a safe, inclusive and nurturing education as so many young people experience bullying because of who they are.
“Mental health issues are also common, with well over half of LGBT+ young people reporting that they have experienced this at some point.”
Head teacher Martin Anderson added: “Scotland has led the way in inclusive education; it is the first country in the world to have lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex inclusive education embedded in its curriculum.
“We have embraced this vision in Airdrie Academy; as a school we are proud to be inclusive, proud of our diverse community, proud to support everyone, proud to challenge assumptions and stereotypes and proud of everyone that we work with and who works with us.
“Our target for the year was to achieve LGBT bronze charter status but a magnificent team effort has delivered silver charter status; well done to everyone involved in leading this success.
“But this is not an end point. We will continue to improve our policies, practices and partnerships as we set out our new ambition of being a gold charter school.”
Third- year pupil Carys Young was also delighted with the silver award, commenting: “It is amazing and shows that our school is moving forward and doing the best for everyone.”
To view some of the fantastic work the school’s staff and pupils have been recognised for, follow @AirdrieAcadLGBT on Twitter.