Seely Primary and Nursery School

As part of our efforts to ensure our school environment is a place where every child can realise their potential, we will be joining hundreds of thousands of pupils and school staff taking part in School Diversity Week 2021 to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) equality in education.

Growing up remains unacceptably tough for LGBT+ young people: LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to feel lonely and worry daily about mental health than their peers. This has a potentially life-long impact on young people’s attainment and wellbeing. Alongside our anti-bullying and safeguarding policies, taking part in School Diversity Week is an important way of actively supporting LGBT+ young people in our school, and of demonstrating our commitment to an inclusive school environment where every young person can be themselves and thrive. It is a chance to explain to all our pupils the importance of diversity in the world we are preparing them for.

Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a legal obligation to promote understanding about LGBT+ equality and challenge prejudice. Ofsted will assess our approach to educating our young people about LGBT+ issues and combating bullying. Involvement with School Diversity Week has been commended by Ofsted as an indication that a school is fulfilling these responsibilities.

School Diversity Week, organised by the charity Just Like Us (justlikeus.org), was launched with the support of the Department for Education. In 2021, schools representing over two million pupils are signed up to take part.

School Diversity Week will finish with a rainbow themed non-uniform day on Friday 25^th June. There will be no monetary donation required for this day. The children can wear the most colourful and bright outfit they can put together if they choose to take part.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher to find out more about what the week’s content will look like for your child.

Thank you, from all at Seely