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The Rainbow Flag Award
The Rainbow Flag Award is a quality assurance framework for schools, primary and secondary. Through a process of self-assessment and ongoing monitoring and feedback, schools will determine how well they are providing safe and supportive environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) pupils, taking a whole school approach.
In 2022, we were awarded the following accreditation: Pastoral Support, Pupil Voice, Inclusive Curriculum, Effective Policies, Skilled Teacher, and Supportive Governors & Parents.
The award focuses on six key areas:
- Red - Skilled Teachers
- Orange - Supportive Governors and Parents
- Yellow - Effective Policies
- Green - Inclusive Curriculum
- Blue - Pastoral Support
- Violet - Pupil Voice
At The Salesian Academy of St. John Bosco, we are developing an accepting and diverse culture amongst all children - valuing each individual.
This supports our children by:
- Providing an awareness that people live their lives in different ways.
- Acknowledging that it is usual to have families of different dynamics.
- An open conversation that acknowledges that it is usual to be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans.
- Having an awareness that if we use these terms in a negative way, it can hurt people’s feelings.
- Avoiding the prejudiced use of stereotypes.
- Confidence / reassurance to be who they want to be.
- Eliminating the conscious bias in our minds that reject differences.
Our School
- We will empower the children to feel safe in our school community and feel they have respect.
- Children will have somebody to talk to and open up to when they feel necessary.
- If a child wished to talk, then as we are a secondary school, we would ensure that the child knew that they didn’t have to label themselves now, that there is no pressure unless they wish to use a label and let them know that they may change how they feel and the label they give themselves throughout their lives – having a label is a choice.
- If we improve the visibility of LGBT to be accepted as part of our diverse world then the children will grow up to be respectful and inclusive of all those around them in their communities.
- School policies will adopt an inclusive approach to all minority groups.
For further details, please go to https://www.rainbowflagaward.co.uk/
Support for Young LGBTQI+ People
A safe and supportive place for LGBT+ young people (aged 13 and up) and the adults in their lives to chat with trained staff from The Proud Trust who have experience working with and supporting LGBT+ young people.
A poster for this service can be downloaded from your profile and displayed in your setting.
Childline is a counselling service providing help and advice to young people under the age of 18. This service is not LGBT+ specific but the counsellors are equipped to answer questions around LGBT+ identities and support LGBT+ young people.
Proud Connections: Mentors programme pairs LGBT+ young people with trained LGBT+ adult mentors for regular online support sessions. The programme is open to LGBT+ young people aged 16-19 (up to 25 with additional needs) across the UK.
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is in crisis. This service can be used to get mental health support anytime, anywhere. It may be appropriate to signpost your young people to this service, especially over the Winter holidays when other services close.
'Support for Parents and Guardians
Proud Connections: Parents & Carers
Proud Connections: Parents & Carers is an online peer support group for the parents and carers of LGBT+ young people facilitated by experienced members of staff from The Proud Trust.
This section of The Proud Trust’s website has been written for the trusted adults in the lives of LGBT+ young people. Here you may find information on LGBT+ identities, supporting young people with ‘coming out’, and more.