As part of a grant-funded programme, Diversity Role Models worked with 94 primary and secondary schools to support improved education about LGBT+ issues and tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying.

Surveys were completed by students, staff, parents and carers, and governors to conduct a pulse check on the levels of LGBT+ education and HBT incidents in schools.

The report documents a number of findings and outlines recommendations for the sector and government to support improvements in LGBT+ bullying in schools.

Recommendations include the following:

• Root inclusion into the core values of school, engaging staff, governors, parents and carers, and students on these shared values to help foster a truly inclusive school environment
• Empower all staff to celebrate diversity in the school (for example, through encouraging inclusive displays and reading materials)
• Regularly report on homophobic, biphobic and transphobic incidents to school governors to ensure they understand trends and challenges so that they can effectively support the school leadership

• [Staff should] involve students in discussions about the work the school is doing in diversity and inclusion (for example, setting up a student-led equality group to act as a safe environment to discuss LGBT+ inclusion at the school)
• Ensure all governors or trustees receive training to understand the importance of inclusion at the school and why it is important for parental engagement, curriculum, and recruitment and retention of staff
• [The Department for Education (DfE) should] make funds available for staff training on confidently delivering effective LGBT+ education
• [The DfE should] Fund LGBT+ inclusion education programmes and research in schools to better understand the extent of LGBT+ education and drivers of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

"Schools have achieved so much in recent times. Their commitment to establishing settings which not only celebrate diversity but exemplify daily the very behaviours and attitudes we would want to see across our wider communities is inspiring and should be commended. But there is clearly more to be done," said NAT president Ruth Davies.

"I am so proud of the work Diversity Role Models is forging forward with, of the fearless and hugely informed way it is actively challenging schools to be even better than they already are and for the way in which it relentlessly champions the voice of the 21st Century learner. I am proud of NAHT’s partnership with them this year but grateful for it too. Together we have the prospect of achieving great things on behalf of the learners we serve," she added.