What is it?
The Rainbow Flag Award has been set up as a framework for schools. The award focuses on positive inclusion of the LGBT+ community and it is a whole school inclusive approach that also develops strategies to effectively challenge phobic bullying.
Rainbow Flag Award
We are thrilled to announce that Ark Charter Academy has achieved a significant milestone in our journey towards inclusivity. We have been awarded the ‘Inclusive Curriculum’ badge as part of the prestigious Rainbow Flag Award. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment that celebrates diversity and ensures everyone feels valued and included.
Our assessor, who has been leading on the award for three years, was particularly impressed with our efforts. They said:
“I have now reviewed your Inclusive Curriculum submission - thank you so much and a huge well done for passing this next section. We are incredibly impressed by the school’s efforts toward being LGBT+ inclusive and I really want to highlight this as some of the best evidence I have personally seen in my three years of leading on the award. Ark Charter is truly making a direct impact on creating a better and more inclusive future for not only LGBT+ people but for everyone.”
These words of praise reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire school community in promoting inclusivity. We are proud of our efforts to ensure that our curriculum is not only inclusive of the LGBT+ community but embraces all individuals, regardless of their identity.
This achievement is not the end of our journey, but rather a stepping stone towards our goal of creating an educational environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We will continue to strive for excellence in inclusivity, ensuring that Ark Charter Academy remains a beacon of acceptance and understanding.
This supports our children by:
- Providing an awareness that people live their lives in different ways;
- Acknowledging that it is usual to have families of different dynamics;
- Acknowledging that it is usual to be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans;
- Having an awareness that if we use these terms in a negative way, it can hurt people’s feelings;
- Avoiding the prejudiced use of stereotypes;
- Confidence / reassurance to be who they want to be.
Our School
- We will empower the children to feel safe in our school community;
- They will feel respected;
- And if they wish to talk, they will be listened to;
- If a child wished to talk, then as we are a secondary school, we would ensure that the child knew that they didn’t have to label themselves now, that there is no pressure unless they wish to use a label and let them know that they may change how they feel and the label they give themselves throughout their lives – having a label is a choice;
- If we improve the visibility of LGBT to be accepted as part of our diverse world then the children will grow up to be respectful and inclusive of all those around them in their communities;
- School policies will adopt an inclusive approach to all minority groups.
Lessons
Initially, students will be introduced to the aims of the Rainbow Flag Award and the terminology of the LGBT community in their classes as a stand alone Rainbow Flag lesson. Parents will be informed as and when these lessons will take place, which will include sharing a book that prompts discussion at age appropriate levels. . After this, we will be delivering an inclusive curriculum for example: if a lesson introduces an important person, then their identity would be mentioned e.g. Andy Warhol was a gay man and most famous for his painting of Marilyn Monroe - the focus will be on the art skills of the artist but the lesson has been inclusive of LGBT people. We will also celebrate National diversity days.
Terminology
How you feel about others
Orientation – Who you are attracted to – Who you fancy
Lesbian – A woman attracted to another woman
Gay – Attracted to a person of the same gender
Bi – Attracted to your own gender and other genders
Straight – Attracted to a person of the opposite gender
How you feel about yourself
Trans – How you feel on the inside
Gender – A part of your identity
Links
'Church of England schools must ensure that their pupils are secure and able to make excellent progress whatever their background. They are invited into a school that aims to provide an education which leads to an abundant life. Every person in the school community is a child of God. At the heart of Christian distinctiveness in schools is an upholding of the worth of each person: all are Imago Dei – made in the image of God – and are loved unconditionally by God. The hallmark of authentic, life-giving relationships is recognition of the sacredness of the other so that all are welcomed wholeheartedly and with reverence. Each person in all their unique difference should be able to thrive, irrespective of physical appearance, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, academic ability, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.'
'No matter what type of school they attend, it is important that all children leave with an understanding of the world they are growing up in, having learned how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people. When we inspect schools, we assess how well they equip children to do this.'
The following policies show the inclusivity of LGBT+ people in a diverse school: Anti-bullying policy, Child protection and Safeguarding policy, RSHE policy, PE policy and the Equality Statement..
The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for primary schools, secondary schools, SEND schools and colleges. The award focuses on positive LGBT+, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities), inclusion and visibility.