Schools sign up to inclusivity charter

Nearly half of West Lothian’s secondary schools have engaged in a charter programme designed to support inclusivity and the experiences of LGBTQ+ staff and pupils.

The LGBT Charter scheme is a programme which provides schools and organisations with training to challenge prejudice and ensure that equality and diversity is at the heart of the school.

In total, six of West Lothian’s secondary education providers, including a private school, have either been awarded charter status or are actively working towards it with the support of the awarding body, LGBT Youth Scotland.

The most recent school to be awarded chartered status in the local authority area is James Young High School, followed by Armadale Academy and West Calder High School, while Inveralmond Community High School is working towards new charter status awards.

The charter programme has now reached 212 of Scotland’s 357 secondary schools, with a further 40 primary schools and 21 colleges and universities either awarded charter status or working towards it.

Ali Kerr, head of partnerships at LGBT Youth Scotland, believes that the charter’s reach is a positive step for building a more inclusive Scotland and hopes to reach 75 per cent of secondary schools over the coming year.

She said:“These are formative years for young people and it’s vital that LGBTQ+ individuals are supported and that non-LGBTQ+ people feel equipped and inspired to champion inclusivity at every turn.

“Having half of Midlothian schools working in partnership with us and participating in our LGBT Charter shows that they are playing a key role in creating safe spaces for young LGBTQ+ people in Scotland.

“With over half of Scottish secondary schools participating, this represents a significant commitment from Scottish educators to LGBT inclusion.

“The job isn’t done though, we’d ideally love all of our secondary and further education providers to achieve charter status.”

There are four LGBT Charter awards offered.

Organisations and businesses can also apply to become chartered to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of work, protecting staff and providing a high quality service to customers and service users.

The LGBT Charter is based on the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Policy advice is guided by the Equality Act 2010.