The Rainbow Flag Award

Our vision is rooted in a moral commitment to provide students from all backgrounds with an exceptional education which combines academic, cultural, social, spiritual and moral development. We believe that respecting and valuing individual differences and the appreciation of, and promotion of, cultural diversity is crucial if every child is to thrive.
 
We are committed to breaking down barriers and cultural divides, instilling values of acceptance and mutual respect that children and young people will carry with them throughout their lives, helping us to realise our vision of ‘A Fantastic Future For All’.
 
We are extremely proud to announce that as of January 2021 we are fully certified as a Rainbow Flag Award School, having successfully completed submissions in all six areas of the award:

  • Skilled Teachers                                                 
  • Supportive Governors and Parents    
  • Effective Policies
  • Inclusive Curriculum
  • Pastoral Support
  • Student Voice


The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for schools. The award focuses on positive LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities) inclusion and visibility. It encourages a whole organisational approach to LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to effectively challenge and combat LGBTphobic bullying.

The Rainbow Flag Award gives us a framework to better support LGBT+ inclusion across all of our provision, improving the lives of pupils, staff and families, and is fundamental to the MEA Way of Safe, Respectful, Ready and Kind.

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The Rainbow Flag Award provides us with a framework through which homophobia, biphobia and transphobia can be tackled. The award complements a whole range of other initiatives across the academy, such as our Diversity Ambassadors, which promote inclusivity for all, helping us to provide ‘A Fantastic Future for All’. 

We will work through six criteria that promote LGBT inclusivity, visibility and awareness across all of our provision:

  • Skilled Teachers - Equipping teachers with confidence and knowledge to understand, tackle and prevent LGBTphobic bullying.
  • Supportive Governors and Parents - Governors and parents understand the need to combat LGBTphobic bullying and know where to go for information.   
  • Effective Policies - Effective policies are in place to address LGBT phobic bullying and encourage LGBT+ inclusion.
  • Inclusive Curriculum - Teaching and non-teaching staff positively include LGBT+ identities and themes across the curriculum.
  • Pastoral Support - Non-judgemental pastoral staff support students experiencing, or at risk of perpetrating, LGBTphobic bullying, and can support students exploring sexuality, gender, coming out and LGBT+ identities. They can offer 1-2-1 support and safe places, as well as appropriate referral pathways.
  • Pupil Voice - Students are encouraged to take ownership of combating bullying and promoting inclusion.
As part of our Rainbow Flag Award commitment, the resource below outlines the support, information and guidance available to LGBT students, parents, carers and staff.
 
External LGBT+ Support and Information

The following organisations provide a range of resources and services for LGBT+ young people, their parents or carers and professionals who work with LGBT young people:

42nd Street - support for young people aged 13-25, including therapeutic support.

The Proud Trust - provides youth groups, support and advice for LGBT young people and for professionals.

Drop-in Support for Students and Points of Contact for Parents and Carers

Specific, non-judgemental support will be provided to all students depending on their needs and we have a range of systems that aim to support the inclusion of all of our students. In the first instance students or parents/carers can:

  • Speak to their Form Tutor or their Pastoral Year Leaders
  • Access our Pride Xtra, which runs on a Thursday after school each week
  • Contact the Safeguarding Team 
  • Talk to one of the Diversity Ambassadors or Mr King
WyNotLGBTQ Wythenshawe

WyNotLGBTQ is a weekly youth group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people in Wythenshawe, meeting at The Forum every Wednesday between 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Further information can be obtained by contacting The Proud Trust.