How To Support LGBTQ+ Students in the Classroom
07 Jan, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- Why it is important to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom.
- How to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom.
- What to do if an LGBTQ+ student does not feel supported at school.
- Where the latest teaching jobs are and how to apply for them.
Every student deserves to feel supported in the classroom, especially those who don’t feel seen, included or safe. According to global children’s charity Theirworld, one in 4 LGBTQ+ youth said they felt or currently feel unsafe in secondary school. The term LGBTQ+ includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning.
Theirworld found that 47% of LGBTQ+ youth in the UK have been bullied and/or discriminated against at school or university because of their sexual orientation and a further one in four have faced bullying and/or discrimination due to their gender identity – but many never reported it.
It can be difficult for teaching staff to be able to effectively and proactively ensure all students feel supported due to a combination of social, institutional, and personal factors. Teachers don’t want to overstep boundaries, risk offending students, or assuming anyone's gender, gender identity or pronouns.
Despite the challenges, supporting (LGBTQ+) students in the classroom is of the utmost importance and Teachers need to be advocates and allies for their students.
Throughout this blog, you’ll discover how to support the growing number of LGBTQ+ students in the classroom and what strategies can be used to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ young people in their school environment.
Why is it important to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom?
Supporting all students in the classroom whether it’s academically, mentally or emotionally, is a crucial part of the role Teachers play in the classroom. LGBTQ+ students need Teachers to be understanding, compassionate and supportive in the classroom.
Having Teachers and school staff who are supportive of LGBTQ+ students can have a significant impact on their academic learning and their mental health. Non-accepting or non-supportive school environments are closely associated with poorer mental health outcomes that can negatively impact LGBTQ+ students.
A survey by the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ+ young people reported lower rates of suicide attempts in the past year in schools with staff who were supportive (20%) or very supportive of LGBTQ+ people (16%), compared to those who reported very unsupportive (42%) or somewhat unsupportive (33%) school staff.
Providing effective mental health support and proactive strategies in school is critical to ensure LGBTQ+ students feel safe and supported and have the same opportunities to thrive socially and academically in the classroom.
How to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom
How to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom:
- Use inclusive language.
- Educate yourself and others.
- Include positive representations in lessons.
- Give LGBTQ+ students a voice.
- Put a stop to bullying, stereotypes and ignorance.
Use inclusive language
For many LGBTQ+ students, feeling supported, included and recognised in the classroom starts with positive treatment and attitudes. It’s important for Teachers and Teaching Assistants to avoid gender bias and gendered language, and to instead use gender neutral pronouns and anatomical language.
Asking students their pronouns and using inclusive language creates a more inclusive space for learning and development and socialising.
Being inclusive and supportive doesn’t just apply to the language used in the classroom but also behaviour, understanding and attitudes from school staff and pupils. When Teachers, Teaching Assistants and pupils use inclusive language in the classroom, it makes LGBTQ+ students feel welcomed and seen rather than excluded or offended. It also shows a level of respect and mutual understanding that can help LGBTQ+ students feel safe with their peers.
Educate yourself and others
Educators need to be informed and stay updated on LGBTQ+ terminology, current research, and best practices in LGBTQ+ education. They also need to be aware of changes in legislation and language as well as individuals' students' own identity and preferences to ensure everyone feels included and supported in school.
Educators can benefit from being open to learning and growth in the LGBTQ+ area. Being aware of assumptions, bias, stereotypes and discrimination as well as LGBTQ+ history, is crucial for Teachers and Teaching Assistants to understand how best to support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom.
Educators are usually responsible for educating their students, but in some areas, even Teachers can learn from their students. LGBTQ+ students can educate school staff and their peers to provide suggestions or improvements about the most appropriate and most inclusive ways to communicate, teach or support LGBTQ+ pupils.
Include positive representations in lessons
It’s crucial for Teachers to highlight influential and positive LGBTQ+ figures in relevant subject areas including science, arts, history and literature to demonstrate the potential for LGBTQ+ students.
To educate and inform all students, it is valuable to create and implement LGBTQ+ inclusive content and resources that celebrate and highlight positivity. Teachers can support LGBTQ+ students by including positive representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning people, history, and events.
It’s important to explore LGBTQ+ authors, historians and scientists and their contributions to diverse history and literature whether its books, articles or poetry. Integrating LGBTQ+ stories into the curriculum reminds LGBTQ+ students that the classroom is a safe place to learn, explore and be themselves.
That means discussing LGBTQ+ stereotypes in books and challenging perceptions of what LGBTQ+ students can achieve. By acknowledging LGBTQ+ people’s achievements and historical significance, LGBTQ+ students can be more engaged in learning and different subjects.
Give LGBTQ+ students a voice
It’s important for Teachers to take a step back and listen to the voices of LGBTQ+ students. Give voices to LGBTQ+ students so they can tell their own stories and speak their truth - if they feel comfortable doing so of course.
Teachers should create a safe space to talk about LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom so everyone in the classroom can be made aware of the challenges LGBTQ+ students face. By giving LGBTQ+ students a platform to voice their experiences and the opportunity to amplify their voices, they can gain self confidence and feel empowered which can have a positive impact on their self esteem.
Put a stop to bullying, stereotypes and ignorance
In order for LGBTQ+ students to feel supported in the classroom, they also need to feel safe and secure. According to a survey by the Trevor Project, 34% of LGBTQ+ students reported that their school classmates were not very accepting of LGBTQ+ people.
Many LGBTQ+ students experience bullying and harassment including being physically threatened or harmed, or discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Having a hostile, tense or prejudiced environment can be damaging to LGBTQ+ students' mental health and wellbeing. Creating a sociable and communicative atmosphere is crucial to give all students the opportunity to make friends and learn how to interact with different people.
It’s up to educators to tackle the stigma and address homophobia, transphobia and bullying in the classroom from other pupils. Make sure that students and parents know that you take a strong position when it comes to tackling bullying and prejudice in the classroom – whether it happens in school or online. Implement zero-tolerance policies against bullying and discrimination and take immediate action to address any incidents or encounters.
What to do if an LGBTQ+ student does not feel supported at school
If a LGBTQ+ student doesn’t feel supported at school, it's important for Teachers to have a conversation and listen to their concerns. Pay close attention to their wellbeing and try to assess whether you think the support provided the school/staff is sufficient.
Even if you find you are taking all the necessary steps and doing what you can to support LGBTQ+ students, but they still don’t feel supported, it’s up to the Teacher to find a solution or escalate the issue to someone more senior.
Every student is unique and requires individualised support to meet their specific needs, and one solution or change won’t suit all. Listen actively to students and discover how you can- validate their feelings and provide the best possible support.
Teaching jobs
If you’re searching for your next teaching job, why not take a look at the latest teaching vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Recruit teaching staff
As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs.
We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teachers and Teaching Assistants in the North West.
If you’re struggling to fill a teaching vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher
- Secondary schools - Liam Jones
- SEND schools - Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
Related Posts
What Is an Executive Headteacher?
08 Jan, 2025
