LGBTQ + at Webster's High School
Here at Webster's High School we are committed to being a safe and respectful environment for all young people. With LGBTQ+ identities increasingly represented across society, young people are now more able to relate and identify with role models which in turn supports them in understanding and accepting their own gender identity and/or sexual orientation. As a school we are is undertaking the LGBT Charter programme set by LGBT Youth Scotland. We aim to achieve Bronze Chartership and may even secure Silver with lots of support from our community!
Webster’s Equality Group
Webster’s Equality Group The group meets on a Monday lunchtime in room 14a and is open to all LGBT+ and ally pupils (S1-S6). The group provides a confidential safe space for pupils to discuss their identity or seek support for issues they could be facing. The group is supported by Leisa (Angus Council) and monthly inputs from Anna (Hillcrest Futures).
LGBT School Charter
The LGBT Charter is run by LGBT Youth Scotland and sets a series of standards through which schools can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold status in relation to the quality of provision and learning experience they offer LGBT pupils. We have achieved Silver charter status!
The LGBT Charter is structured into the following six areas:
1. Leadership
- Surveys completed by staff and pupils to evaluate ‘how is our current provision for LGBT young people
- A staff working group established to work through the Charter Standards in order to ensure we are successful.
- A pupil working group established to ensure a safe space for sharing and discussion is open to all pupils. This group meets weekly.
- Improvement Plan developed to set real targets and ensure progress.
2. Training
- Over 40% of our staff have opted in for 2-2.5 hours of voluntary online training around LGBT identities, orientations and issues
3. Policy
- All policies will be reviewed to ensure they meet the standards set out in the Equality Act (2016)
- This includes our Anti-Bullying and Uniform policies as well as any other departmental policies
- Our LGBT pupil group will be involved in reviewing these policies to ensure the wording is inclusive to them and their peers.
4. Practice
- Key dates in the LGBT calendar (Pride Month, LGBT History Month, International Day Against Homophobia etc.) will be marked in school through special events, announcements and presentations
- Departments across the school will include more LGBT content and naturally increase visibility through their courses
- Safe spaces will be considered across the school through consultation with our young people.
5. Visibility
- Information will be provided to all our young people through our website, an LGBT noticeboard, Twitter updates etc.
- Our library will be updated with newer additions of LGBT inclusive books
6. Monitoring & Evaluation
- We ensure equality and diversity workforce monitoring which is safe, confidential and appropriate and ensure a diverse and equal workforce for our young people
- We will review our LGBT Charter progress and set real targets moving forward into next session and beyond
LGBT Rights
LGBT identities and orientations are one of the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act (2010). The Act ensures that every person in Scotland is protected from discrimination and, therefore, any discrimination or targeting towards people because of their LGBT identity is classed as an illegal Hate Crime.
The poter here sums up the basic rights of all young people, including those who identify as LGBT.
Rights Respecting Schools
As a silver Rights Respecting School we try to ensure that all of our groups are linked into the UNCRC. You can see these rights attached here or in our Rights Respecting School section.
Reading Schools Link
We are also a Reading School! As such it is important to us that all members of our School community are represented in the books and materials we offer. Our school library has a selection of LGBTQ+ fiction (stories) and non-fiction (fact) books.
Speak to our wonderful Librarian Mrs Duncan and check our out book catalogue linked below if you want to know more!
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CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT BOOKS WE HAVE TO OFFER |
Need to Talk?
There are many sources of help and advice. Within school you can talk to any member of staff, your PSE teacher or your Year Head. You may also be able to request an appointment with a school counsellor.
Out with school, there are helplines who can also help. These include:
LGBT Youth provide an online chat service (Monday – Friday)
LGBT Helpline - Phone: 0300 123 2523 (open every Tuesday and Wednesday between 12-9pm)
Breathing Space provides a helpline for young people. All calls are answered by specialists in mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds - Phone 0800 83 85 87 (Monday – Thursday 6pm – 2am and Friday 6pm – Monday 6am)
Switchboard promises to keep talking until you are ready to end the call. Everything is confidential and all their volunteers identify as LGBTQ+.
Helpful Organisations & Support
LGBT Youth Scotland
Making Scotland the best place to grow up for LGBTI young people.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing
A Scotland where LGBT people have access to the support they need and opportunities to connect as a community.
LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Stonewall
Here to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, at home and abroad, know they are not alone.
Stonewall also provide advice for those belonging to a faith group:
LGBT Muslim groups, Hidayah and Imaan
You can also contact the Muslim Youth Helpline
LGBT Jewish group, Keshet UK
LGBT Christian group, One Body One Faith
LGBT Catholic group, Quest
The ‘Be You’ Project – provides links to many other useful sites
Childline
We’re here for all young people, whatever you’re going through.
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Young Minds
We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Mermaids UK
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
Transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and teens need support and understanding, as well as the freedom to explore their gender identity. Whatever the outcome, Mermaids is committed to helping families navigate the challenges they may face.
Scottish Government
Scotland is considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality.
We aim to preserve and advance Scotland's reputation as one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality.
Scottish Trans Alliance
The Equality Network project to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland.
A safe space for young people age 12 and over living in Tayside, The Western Isles, Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll and Bute
Local Groups -LGBT Youth Scotland – Youth Group
Youth Group: An online youth group for 13-25 year olds in Dundee.
Every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Key youth worker: Izzy Huggan. If you would like to join this group please email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk. https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/groups-and-support/find-local-youth-groups/allsorts-of-spectrum/
Digital support: Sessions run at the following times:
- Monday: 4pm to 8pm
- Tuesday: 6pm to 8pm
- Wednesday 4pm to 8pm
- Thursday: 6pm to 8pm
https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/groups-and-support/digital-support/
