Nearly 60% of high schools sign up for LGBT Youth Scotland inclusivity scheme

Almost 60% of Scotland’s secondary schools have adopted an LGBT+ charter in order to support inclusivity for staff and pupils.

The scheme, which has now been taken on by 212 of the country’s 357 high schools, provides training to challenge prejudice and bring equality to the core of the school.

Founded by LGBT Youth Scotland, the number of schools signing up to the charter has been hailed a success with an additional 40 primary schools and 21 colleges and universities also either awarded charter status or working towards it.

However, the charity still say there is further to go with a target to reach 75% of secondary schools in place over the coming year.

Those already taking part include 31 out of 34 secondary schools in Edinburgh and 31 of 38 in Glasgow.

Every local authority is represented by a charter school, including Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and the Highlands.

The scheme offers four LGBT charter awards to each local authority team on developing inclusionary processes, education providers, teachers and learners.

It takes around 12 to 18 months to gain charter status, with institutions and organisations guided step-by-step by LGBT experts on training, policy, practise and monitoring.

Ali Kerr, head of partnerships at LGBT Youth Scotland, 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 such a high proportion of Scottish secondary schools, as well as further education providers, working in partnership with us and participating in our LGBT charter shows that schools are playing a key role in creating safe spaces for young LGBTQ+ people in Scotland.

“With nearly two-thirds of 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.”