How it works
The Rainbow Flag Award is a year-long process of reflection, self-assessment, ongoing monitoring and feedback.
The programme runs over four academic terms with new cohorts staring in each of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.
We begin with starter training that covers everything you need to know about the Rainbow Flag Award as well as some LGBTQ+ awareness training. From here you begin a process of reflection and self-assessment of the quality of LGBTQ+ inclusion in your setting in regards to six areas of your work that will be set out in your Rainbow Flag Award handbook:
Staff, including Senior Leadership Teams and non-teaching staff, can recognise and consistently challenge and report transphobia, homophobia and biphobia, and are confidently using positive and appropriate language around gender identity and sexual orientation.
Governors and parents and carers understand the need to combat transphobia, homophobia and biphobia through positive LGBTQ+ education and representation, and know where to go for information, and if needed, support.
Effective policies are in place to positively support whole organisation LGBTQ+ inclusion, and address transphobia, homophobia and biphobia.
LGBTQ+ people and identities are positively represented across all areas of the curriculum. This includes in lessons and activities that are LGBTQ+ inclusive, as well as those that are LGBTQ+ specific.
Children and young people wishing to explore/ express their gender and/or sexual orientation feel supported to do so. Skilled staff from within the organisation support them, including through signposting and referrals to appropriate local youth work services.
Student-led initiatives are valued and supported to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive and positive environment.
Following the training in term one, and through to term three, you are invited to share some of the fantastic LGBTQ+ inclusive work you are doing in the sections of work listed above. Each of the six sections are broken down into a number of indicators that we ask you to evidence are being met throughout this process. In the final term (term four), we will arrange a visit to your school which is your opportunity to evidence any outstanding indicators, and to celebrate the progress you have made.
As you work towards your Rainbow Flag Award you will receive ongoing support via phone and email, with online ‘in-person’ meets. As part of your membership you will also have access to the Members’ Area of this website which includes a personalised school profile, best practice examples, LGBTQ+ inclusive lessons and lesson plans, book recommendations, a video library, signposting, and more!
Once you have gained your Rainbow Flag Award, it is valid for a further two years (at no extra cost), with options for renewal available to you at the end of the three-year cycle.
“What I liked about the Rainbow Flag Award is that it’s very clear what we needed to be doing. There was a clear structure” - Stéphane Maitrejean, Inscape House School