Celebrating LGBTQ+: Student Perspectives on Inclusivity and Equality in Schools
June is a key month to celebrate, educate, and support the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to reflect on LGBTQ+ history, celebrate authenticity, and focus on kindness, respect, and inclusion.
At Smart School Councils, we’re marking Pride Month with two debates: this week, it’s about the representation of LGBTQ+ in the media (take part with your community today!), and last week was about whether all schools should have an LGBTQ+ club.
Here's a look at some of the responses from schools:
“We feel people would rather want extra playtime and we think primary children may be too young to understand LGBTQ+."
Some students from Highcliffe Primary School in Guisborough felt primary children are too young to understand LGBTQ+ and would rather have extra playtime. What do you think? Is it better to focus on community and inclusivity through play, or should discussions about LGBTQ+ be introduced in schools?
"If people attend, others may think they are LGBTQ+ and might bully them. Also parents may be mad if their child chooses to go."
Concerns about bullying and parental permission were raised by students from Halling Primary School in Kent regarding an LGBTQ+ club. Do you agree? Can a school-based LGBTQ+ space help reduce bullying or would it single out students in a negative way?
“If the children are educated and the school has diversity at its centre there should be no need for the club. The club could exclude more than include and cause more harm.”
Students from Pembrokeshire Learning Centre in Pembrokeshire raised a good point: If every student feels accepted, there wouldn’t be a need for a separate safe space, as every space would be safe. What do you think?
Tips for Discussing LGBTQ+ in School
Use simple language
Describe diverse families in a way that’s easier for younger students to understand (e.g. "mummy and mummy" instead of just "mummy and daddy").
Classroom Displays
Pride flags and diverse family illustrations can normalise LGBTQ+ identities.
Encourage open discussion
Let students ask questions anonymously or in class to deepen the conversation.
LGBTQ+ Role Models
Bring in guest speakers or share videos to make discussions more tangible and relatable.
Storybooks and Literature
Use age-appropriate books to gently introduce diverse family structures and identities.
For Primary:
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
For Secondary:
Proud (Anthology curated by Juno Dawson)
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
We hope our debates sparked meaningful conversations around LGBTQ+ topics. Keep the discussions going and create safe, inclusive spaces for all students. 🌈
— Becky, Head of Partnerships
If you would like to highlight your students’ responses, please feel free to share them with us on any of our social media accounts or email us at membership@smartschoolcouncils.org.uk.