Sidestrand Hall School is proud to announce that we are beginning our journey to achieving the Rainbow Flag Award. The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for primary schools, secondary schools and SEND schools. The award focuses on positive LGBT+, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities), inclusion and visibility. The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole school approach to positive LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to effectively challenge and combat LGBTphobic bullying. Watch this space for news as we progress towards the Rainbow Flag
What is the Rainbow Flag Award?
The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for schools. The award focuses on positive LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility. The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole school approach to positive LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to effectively challenge and combat LGBTphobic bullying. By participating in such an award, schools are able to ensure that there is a safe space for their LGBTQ+ community. The school completes a self-assessment process, identifies relevant actions and then receives ongoing feedback throughout the award to ensure this is taking place.
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.
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.
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.
At LGBTQ+ Project we offer personalised and compassionate mental health and well-being support in Norfolk and Waveney, delivered by those with genuine lived experience to reduce isolation, empower individuals, and inspire positive change.
Following a session watching the film ‘Ssshhhh silence helps homophobia’ pupils discussed the film and how they felt about it. They then wrote up their thoughts. Here are just a selection of them:
Quotes from some of our pupils:
‘Gay is a good thing you can’t say that oh you can not be gay it’s your choice not there’s so don’t let anyone tell you who you can and can’t love if you’re lesbian and bisexual and gay it’s your choice to be anything you want. And if your family doesn’t like your choice say to them look im sorry but its my choice not yours. I know you’re trying to look after me but one thing is you can’t control who i love and who i don’t’.
‘Never forget some people can get hurt saying ward gay remember to be nice to gay people it can be a joke but it can hurt them be who you want to be remember that.’
‘I hate it when people call someone GAY and it makes me angry when they say it you must tell a teacher or a staff member or adult or someone you must trust an adult or just walk away from someone and tell a teacher immediately’
‘I think gay should be used in a positive way not in a negative way. If you hear the word gay being used in a negative way, tell an adult, teacher or someone you trust. I like the video because it showed at first when the boy in the corridor used the way gay to another boy. The teacher didn’t do anything then they did do something because they said they won’t tolerate that kind of behavior in school. ‘
‘Some people can be very cruel by saying things that upset people. For most people like that it’s being gay saying that it’s a bad thing to be but they’re wrong.It isn’t a bad thing to be because anyone can be who they want to be and if they want to be gay then that’s ok and should be treated like everybody else.I think that gay should be used in a happy and joyful way and not in a terrible and ugly way. When I watched that video of that boy being bullied just because he was gay really made me disgusted seeing that and the same when they say gay is a bad thing.Gay is ok and not a bad thing to be, so for anyone who is gay just remember that you should be comfortable being who you are and to not let anyone change you for who you are and for who you want to be.For those who aren’t gay, don’t judge them for being gay and don’t say “gay” is a bad thing because it isn’t and it doesn’t matter if they are gay they are just like everyone else the same with black, trans, bisexual and lesbian people.We are all human and we should treat everyone with respect and to never judge a book by its cover.’
‘Make sure you tell your friends and family that your getting bullied by someone that calling you gay it aint really fair and it ain’t nice to say things like that’
‘I think everyone should be happy in this world and it shouldn’t matter how they look, if they are in a same sex relationship. I think the video was hard hitting and emotional because the boy couldn’t get his voice out to anyone but in then end everyone helped out and it all worked out’
