LGBT+ Inclusion

Celebrating Diversity LGBT+ History Month

Every February, Plume, Maldon’s community Academy celebrates LGBT+ History Month.

By studying history, we develop a better understanding of the world we live in. Understanding our past, better enables us to understand our present. History is also a valuable tool when it comes to appreciating those who are different to us.

LGBT+ people have always existed and will always exist. LGBT+ people have made significant contributions to society but there have been times where those people have been persecuted and discriminated against rather than celebrated for their achievements. We want to shine light on those achievements. Representation and visibility matters. It’s important for everyone to be able to see others like themselves. It is important to look at how far the LGBT+ community has come but also how far it has yet to go. Full equality has not yet been reached.

The purpose of LGBT+ History Month is to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against the LGBT+ community while celebrating its achievements and diversity and making it more visible.

Students get involved with LGBT+ History in the following ways:

Attending LGBT+ History Month Assembly
Completing LGBT+ History Month Tutorial sessions
Taking part in LGBT+ History Month Whole academy quiz
Attending Plume Pride focused webinars
Enter LGBT+ History Month competition
Discussing LGBT+ History role models in lesson
Wearing Rainbow Ribbons to show their respect and support

to the LGBT+ community

Celebrating Diversity Schools Diversity Week with ‘Just Like Us’

What is School Diversity Week?

School Diversity Week is the national celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) equality in education. Organised by the charity Just Like Us, the week empowers young people, parents, and staff across the country to come together to recognise diversity and understanding in schools and take responsibility for tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

Celebrating Diversity Rainbow Laces with ‘Stonewall’

Plume, Maldon’s Community Academy takes part in Stonewalls Rainbow Laces campaign annually. As part of our efforts to ensure our school environment is a place where every child can realise their potential, we will be joining tens of thousands of pupils, teachers and athletes taking part in Stonewall Rainbow Laces to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) equality in sport.

Growing up remains unacceptably tough for LGBT+ young people: 40% contemplate suicide, 50% self harm and 96% still hear homophobic remarks. This has a potentially life-long impact on young people’s attainment and wellbeing. Alongside our antibullying and safeguarding policies, taking part in Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign is an important way of actively supporting LGBT+ young people in our school, and of demonstrating our commitment to an inclusive school environment where every young person can be themselves and thrive. It is a chance to explain to all our students the importance of diversity in the world we are preparing them for.

Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a legal obligation to promote understanding about LGBT+ equality and challenge prejudice. Ofsted will assess our approach to educating our young people about LGBT+ issues and combatting bullying. Involvement with events like Stonewalls Rainbow Laces Campaign has been commended by Ofsted as an indication that a school is fulfilling these responsibilities.

Rainbow Laces Campaign, organised by the charity Stonewall (Stonewall.org.uk), is an annual event with the support of the TeamPride. TeamPride members include adidas, Aon, Aviva, eBay, Manchester United, O2, Premier League, Sky Sports and Visa. Events kick off in November and continue through to December with activities across sport.

Some of the sports bodies taking part include British Basketball, the British Olympic Association (Team GB), British Cycling, England Hockey, England Rugby, the English Cricket Board, English Football League, Football Association, Great British Wheelchair Rugby, Premier League, Premiership Rugby, Professional Football Association, Rugby Football League, Scottish Professional Football Association, UK Athletics, Welsh Football Association and Welsh Rugby.

It’s the law

Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a legal obligation to promote understanding about LGBT+ equality and challenge prejudice. Ofsted will assess our approach to educating our young people about LGBT+ issues and combating bullying. Involvement with School Diversity Week has been commended by Ofsted as an indication that a school is fulfilling these responsibilities.

Students get involved with Schools Diversity Week in the following ways:

Attending SDW Assembly
Completing SDW Tutorial sessions
Taking part in SDW Whole academy quiz
Attending Plume Pride focused webinars
Enter Whole Academy Diversity week competition
Diversity focusses in lesson
Wearing Rainbow Ribbons to show their respect and support to the LGBT+ community

Sport has an amazing power to bring people together. Following and taking part can give us community, energy and a sense of belonging. That’s why we all need to play our part to make sport everyone’s game. Plume, Maldon’s Community academy is inviting students and staff to buy Rainbow Laces from Student Support for £2 and these can be worn in PE trainers or your school shoes.

Preventing bullying and preparing for life

Growing up remains unacceptably tough for LGBT+ young people: 40% contemplate suicide, 52% self harm and 86% still hear homophobic remarks. This has a potentially lifelong impact on young people’s attainment and wellbeing. Alongside our anti-bullying and safeguarding policies, taking part in School Diversity Week is an important way of actively supporting LGBT+ young people in our school, and of demonstrating our commitment to an inclusive school environment where every young person can be themselves and thrive. It is a chance to explain to all our pupils the importance of diversity in the world we are preparing them for.

Plume Pride

LGBT+ Support Toolkit