How Fair is Britain? |
Tackling the challenge of identity-based bullying |
The Triennial Review, 'How fair is Britain?'
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The Triennial Review, 'How fair is Britain?'
focused attention on the need to tackle the high incidence of identity-based bullying of young people, both within schools and the wider community.
Reducing incidence of homophobic, transphobic, disability-related and religiously motivated bullying in schools and workplaces was identified as one of the 15 significant challenges for society to address.
The EHRC has produced a research report, 'Prevention and Response to identity-based bullying among Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales', which responds to this challenge.
The overall aim of the report is to establish the extent and effectiveness of local authorities’ and schools’ actions to prevent and respond to prejudice-based bullying of young people both inside and outside of school, on the grounds of disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
Summary of findings:
- ‘Identity-based’ (or ‘Prejudice-based’) bullying is widespread and continues to blight the lives of many young people, affecting educational attainment and having a long term impact on their life chances. A common cause is children’s, and sometimes teachers’ poor understanding of diversity
- Schools (and local authorities) need to know the extent of the problem and reasons for any bullying. Recording incidents of the different types of prejudice-based bullying is therefore crucial.
Without the appropriate baseline data it is impossible to know the extent of bullying, or monitor the impact of interventions and progress on tackling the problem, or direct resources where they are most needed.
Our survey revealed support for a statutory requirement to record and report incidents of prejudice-based bullying, in order to understand the problem and target action and resources where it is needed most.
- Greater guidance and support is needed to help schools take action against prejudice-based bullying.
Our research shows that guidance plays a crucial role in directing anti-bullying work and focussing attention on particular areas. Central government guidance, such as ‘Safe to Learn’ has been well received and more practical guidance from government and non-government organisations was asked for by some respondents.
- In order to effectively tackle this form of bullying, specific preventative strategies must be adopted such as a ‘whole school approach’ which considers all the equality strands, and focuses on tackling prejudice. Focus within: whole school policies, equality action plans, assemblies, PHSE and citizenship curriculum.
Preventative measures are crucial as bullying of this type is a response to prejudice and may happen due to poor understanding of diversity. Bullying of LGB young people and disabled children, including those with learning difficulties shows a particularly strong relationship to prejudiced attitudes held throughout the school.
Please also put this link at the bottom:
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Homophobia & Transphobia |
Good Practice |
Anti-homophobia and Transphobia policy |
Would a dedicated policy support your developments?
Schools who want to undertake development work on anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia may find it supportive to have a dedicated policy that explains to staff and parents the context for this work. Feel free to adapt the following policy which could be standalone or an appendix to your equalities or anti-bullying policy.
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Case Study:
Anti-homophobia (Primary) |
 With Ofsted so focused on prevention of bullying, including schools' anti-homophobia work, this case study from Martins Wood Primary School may help show how it could be further developed in your school.
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Ofsted Good Practice Resource |
 In February 2012 Ofsted published the following good practice case study for tackling homophobia (secondary)
Yet another good practice case study from Ofsted on anti-homophobia and ensuring the safety of LGBT students
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Nascot Wood Junior School Resources |
In 2012/13 Nascot Wood Junior school has been preparing their staff to tackle homophobia effectively. They have agreed to share their resources. See how these might be of assistance to you.
- Powerpoint 2003, 2MB, 27/02/2013, staff_training_stonewall_spring_2013.ppt
- Powerpoint 2003, 27kb, 27/02/2013, anti_homophobia_stonewall_champions_definitions.ppt
- Notebook, 1MB, 27/02/2013, stonewall_lesson_plan_spring2013.notebook
- Word 2003, 27kb/1 page, 27/02/2013, role_play_sheet_stonewall_mtg.doc
- Word 2003, 46kb/2 pages, 27/02/2013, anti_homophobia_policy_nascot_wood.doc
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Drawing the Line |
Hertfordshire launched this County-wide initiative to relegate homophobia to the past during Anti-Bullying week. |
Drawing the Line is now in its third year supporting Hertfordshire schools in promoting anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia across the school community.
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LGBT Equality & Anti-homophobia |
Work on LGBT equality and anti-homophobia is an essential part of every school's curriculum. The Stonewall website recommends and produces a fabulous range of resources for both primary and secondary schools to assist in this process.
Secondary school resources and ideas:
Primary school resources and ideas:
The following powerpoint could be adapted for your use in an assembly or in the classroom.
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LGBT Equality |
If you haven't yet started work on anti-homophobia in your school, perhaps there are some barriers holding you back.
The following report identifies some of the key barriers that stop staff in schools from taking action to meet their statutory duties to deliver LGBT equality. |
Research report looking at barriers to raising or discussing sexuality with young people at secondary schools and youth work settings across South Yorkshire. The author interviewed young people, teachers and youth professionals for the report.
Young people said that homophobic bullying was not always dealt with effectively by schools and the report found that many pupils want to be taught about homophobia in their PSHE classes. The report says that teaching about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues is 'patchy' and the research suggests the importance of management support for staff working to raise awareness about sexuality issues in school and youth work organisations.
An executive summary is also available:
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Homophobia in Sport |
New Charter Tackles Homophobia
As part of the drive to tackle homophobia in sport, Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales and UK Sport last week jointly signed up to the Government Equalities Office (GEO) Charter on Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport. |
The aim of the charter is to make sport a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
It also pushes the agenda of fairness, equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, bringing people together with a common goal.
Why not use it as a springboard for doing work on this in your school. |
Resources |
Hertfordshire Libraries Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Booklist
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Hertfordshire libraries offer a diverse range of stock of interest to lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered readers.
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Ian McKellen's video on
anti-homophobia New |
The star of The Hobbit , Lord of the Rings and X-men has added his voice to a Stonewall anti-homophobia video. Gay young people interviewed for the video encourage schools to join Stonewall's School Champions programme, which helps teachers support gay pupils.
The video highlights the importance of taking action to prevent the homophobia that is experienced in so many schools.
Use this video with staff, with anti-bullying ambassadors or as part of a lesson on homophobia.
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Effective school leadership |
 A guide for school leaders, including headteachers, deputy headteachers and senior leadership teams about how to take a whole school approach to preventing and tackling homophobic bullying.
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Including different families |
 A guide for primary school teachers and relevant to secondary school teachers.
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Working with faith communities |
 A guide for faith schools, schools with large faith communities, and anyone who is concerned about managing the relationship between faith and sexual orientation in an educational context.
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National Research |
 The School Report: The experiences
of young gay people
in Britain’s schools
The Teachers' Report: Homophobic bullying
in Britain’s schools
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Challenging
homophobic
language |
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Supporting lesbian,
gay and bisexual
young people |
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Research Report |
 Different families:
The experiences of children with lesbian and gay parents
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Article/Lessons |
What training did Ofsted have? New |
Here is a very useful clip to use in your staff training on anti-homophobia. Ofsted inspectors watched these young people's stories as part of their training on anti-homophobia.
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'Lessons on gay history cut homophobic bullying in north London school' |
If you want to make a real difference and dramatically reduce or eradicate homophobic bullying and the offensive use of the word "gay" have a look at the ideas in this article. A school in north London delivered lessons that made a real difference.
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Lessons, Assembly & Workshop Plans |
Homophobia:
Let's Tackle It |
Features a wide range of top sporting personalities talking about issues of homophobia. This powerful footage creates an emotive and dynamic resource to combat homophobia and homophobic language in society.
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Stepping Out |
 'Stepping Out’ is a NEW, engaging and comprehensive 28-page booklet for people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual or think they might be; offering information and advice on ‘coming out’ - have a quick look inside:
Alongside this we also publish the ever popular leaflet 'Am I Bothered?' A leaflet for young people on raising the issue of homophobia and its impact on the lives of young lesbian, gay and bisexual people:
If you have any questions, or would like to request a sample copy, email: Sheffield.chiv@nhs.net or you can order online! |
LGBT Equality & Anti-Homphobia
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Why not raise issues around LGBT equality and anti-homphobia with students through the following article from the Guardian written by a soap star:
Charlie Condon, who plays a gay character in Coronation Street, says that despite the popularity of young characters such as Kurt and his boyfriend in US TV show Glee, two-thirds of gay teenagers are still bullied at school. He considers why - and what is being done to stop it. |
Disfigurement
Key Stage 3
Drama, English & Art
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Changing Faces is the leading UK charity that supports and represents people who have disfigurements to the face, hand or body from any cause. One in 500 children and young people has a severe disfigurement and one in 100 has some form of visible difference. These children have to deal with other people’s pre-occupation with their appearance on a daily basis; staring, comments, questions, ostracism and bullying can regularly occur. Without appropriate intervention these issues may impact upon the pupil’s psychological wellbeing, ultimately leading to withdrawal and underachievement.
Education professionals have a vital role to play in ensuring that children and young people with disfigurements are included and given appropriate support. Changing Faces offers expert advice, resources and training programmes in education. They have developed comprehensive, yet flexible, set of resources which will provide staff and students with the strategies needed to become more disfigurement confident. These lessons will help to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equally regardless of facial appearance, resulting in a positive and inclusive school environment.
The lessons have been designed primarily for Key Stage 3 Drama, English and Art students, but can easily be adapted for use in other subjects or with other Key Stages. An introductory booklet give an overview or click on the subjects to see the resources.
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Below are example assembly ideas: |
Achievement and Success - Images from the Paralympics 2008 |
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Key Stage 3 & 4 Assembly - Beyond the Stereotype |
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Lesson Plans |
Example lesson plans on difference and diversity: |
- Word 2003, 38kb/3 pages, 02/10/2008, understanding_culture.doc
- Word 2003, 29kb/1 page, 02/10/2008, alike_and_different.doc
- Word 2003, 26kb/1 page, 02/10/2008, building_respect.doc
- Word 2003, 28kb/1 page, 02/10/2008, groups_I belong_to.doc
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Sexual Bullying |
Negative Sexual Experience Document |
These guidelines have been developed with the intention of helping to raise the profile of the issues of negative sexual
experiences and ensure consistent and sustainable approaches across the county.
In line with national safeguarding responsibility for safeguarding children and young people, this document has equal
regard and concern for safeguarding vulnerable adults who are not covered by child protection legislation. |
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Teenage Relationship Abuse |
The home office have now also provided guidance on these important issues. |
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Useful Web Sites |
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