Moray secondary schools Elgin Academy and Keith Grammar engage with LGBT programme
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TWO Moray secondary schools have engaged in a programme designed to support inclusivity and the experiences of LGBTQ+ staff and pupils.
Elgin Academy and Keith Grammar School have signed up to the LGBT Charter scheme, which is a programme that provides schools and organisations with training to challenge prejudice and ensure that equality is at the heart of schools.
Both schools are enrolled on the programme and are working towards achieving charter status, with the support of the awarding body, LGBT Youth Scotland.
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.
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 two Moray 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 more than half of Scottish secondary schools participating, this represents a significant commitment from Scottish educators to LGBT inclusion.
"The job isn’t done though, we would ideally love all of our secondary and further education providers to achieve charter status.
“We hope more schools in Moray will take inspiration and get in touch with us to learn more.”
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.
There are four LGBT Charter awards offered: Foundations, created for local authority teams with a focus on developing tools and processes used to increase inclusion across the organisation; and Bronze, Silver, and Gold, designed for education providers to support the development of policies, CPD for teachers, inclusive practice and learner participation.
Gaining Charter accreditation takes between 12 and 18 months, during which time institutions and organisations are guided step-by-step by expert LGBT Youth Scotland facilitators on training, policy, practice, promotional material and resources, and monitoring and evaluation.
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.
For more information on the LGBT Charter, visit: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/the-lgbt-charter
For more information on LGBT Youth Scotland, visit: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
