Gay teachers bullied and most not ready to teach same-sex marriage
England and Wales is starting gay and lesbian weddings, but 67% of teachers don’t feel ready to talk to their students about it
Photo by Scott Nunn, posed by models.
Two thirds of school staff do not feel adequately prepared to teach
about same-sex marriage and LGBTI issues as England and Wales prepares
for its first gay weddings.
That’s according to research released today by the Teacher Support Network which also said LGBTI teachers in the UK face ‘severe’ discrimination by colleagues and pupils.
Over two-thirds have witnessed homophobic harassment and 48% have been personally discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. 47% of those polled were harassed by their colleagues and 68% were discriminated against by their students.
Discrimination has hit the confidence levels of 38% of LGBTI teachers surveyed.
More than a fifth say the harassment they have been subject to or witnessed has made them consider moving schools and one in five have considered leaving the profession altogether.
67% of staff in schools do not feel adequately prepared to teach same-sex marriage and LGBT related issues.
Julian Stanley, chief executive of the Teacher Support Network, said: ‘For many teachers their sexuality has resulted in severe levels of discrimination by students but also surprisingly by colleagues as well.
‘This has left some LGBT teachers unable to do their job properly, affected their mental wellbeing and even left them considering leaving the profession altogether.
‘The focus of LGBT policy in schools has tended to be on students, but teachers need to be equally supported.’
One teacher, Jo Bardsley, said: ‘I talk about my civil partnership to pupils.
‘I’ve been told some colleagues don’t approve, but I think it is important pupils have good role models and learn about the benefits of stable relationships of all kinds.’
That’s according to research released today by the Teacher Support Network which also said LGBTI teachers in the UK face ‘severe’ discrimination by colleagues and pupils.
Over two-thirds have witnessed homophobic harassment and 48% have been personally discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. 47% of those polled were harassed by their colleagues and 68% were discriminated against by their students.
Discrimination has hit the confidence levels of 38% of LGBTI teachers surveyed.
More than a fifth say the harassment they have been subject to or witnessed has made them consider moving schools and one in five have considered leaving the profession altogether.
67% of staff in schools do not feel adequately prepared to teach same-sex marriage and LGBT related issues.
Julian Stanley, chief executive of the Teacher Support Network, said: ‘For many teachers their sexuality has resulted in severe levels of discrimination by students but also surprisingly by colleagues as well.
‘This has left some LGBT teachers unable to do their job properly, affected their mental wellbeing and even left them considering leaving the profession altogether.
‘The focus of LGBT policy in schools has tended to be on students, but teachers need to be equally supported.’
One teacher, Jo Bardsley, said: ‘I talk about my civil partnership to pupils.
‘I’ve been told some colleagues don’t approve, but I think it is important pupils have good role models and learn about the benefits of stable relationships of all kinds.’
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