The LGBT Charter sends out a positive message, that Airdrie Academy is a champion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion, where staff and learners will be safe, supported and included.

Stephanie Masterson, Airdrie Academy’s LGBT Champion and teacher at the school, explained: “Pupil voice is a powerful thing, and it is what kickstarted Airdrie Academy’s LGBT Charter journey.

“Feedback from meetings with the pupil council and Head Teacher Martin Anderson highlighted that more support was required for the growing LGBT+ community within our school.

“The initial aim was to create a safe space for Young People. A lunchtime group was created and open to all pupils who had a keen interest in LGBT+ issues and gender equality and so the “Pride Not Prejudice” (PNP) group was born. 

“Since then, the increasingly popular PNP group meet weekly to discuss issues, organise LGBT+ events and assemblies in school. The group is led by S6 LGBT ambassadors who are extremely passionate about LGBT+ rights.”

Airdrie Academy began working with LGBT Youth Scotland in September 2017 and signed up to the LGBT School’s Charter Programme.

Part of the charter process is to look at different areas of the school including leadership, staff training, policies, visibility, practice and monitoring and evaluation, how to meet legislative needs and be as inclusive as possible.

Ms Masterson added: “Airdrie Academy has become a more visibly inclusive environment. As you first enter the building you see the signed Rainbow and Trans flags. 

“This is a reminder to all pupils and a clear symbol to visitors that everyone should feel included and confident to be themselves. Improving LGBT education for all also features in the School Improvement Plan and as part of this an LGBT+ Equalities and Diversity Policy was developed through Pupil, Staff and Parent Consultations.”

Airdrie’s Silver Charter Status was awarded by LGBT Youth Scotland in 2019 and in February 2022 became the first school in North Lanarkshire to be awarded Gold Charter Status. Only seven state schools in Scotland have achieved this award so far.

Headteacher Martin Anderson said “We want our school community to be welcoming, to be inclusive, to celebrate diversity and to support everyone to feel valued and respected. Our journey to LGBT Gold has been inspired by the voices of our pupils.

“Our pupils shared with me that they wanted to give more support to their friends who were part of the LGBT community.

“Taking that on board this then became a school improvement target. We set ourselves the initial challenge of achieving the LGBT bronze Award, silver followed, and this work has now culminated in the school meeting the Gold award standard.  Throughout this journey we have been involved in; staff training, updates to school policy, supported pupils and staff to work together on LGBT issues and planning events such as Purple Friday. 

“Our school values are Teamwork, Ambition, Determination and Respect. The Gold Award is testimony to the school putting our values into action and making a positive change in the lives of the young people that we are proud to serve”

LGBT Youth Scotland offered training and CPD opportunities to staff who wanted to improve their knowledge in supporting our LGBT young people. During in service days all staff received full LGBT Awareness training and the feedback was extremely positive.

“Achieving the Gold LGBT schools charter makes a bold statement that diversity and equality are at the heart of our ethos; and that everyone is accepted here.

“As a school community, we stand together to show that friends, families, colleagues, neighbours, pupils and anyone we know directly or indirectly in the LGBT community matter to us.”

Pupils at Airdrie Academy do not have to be a part of the LGBT+ community to make a difference; you can be an ally who supports equal rights, gender equality and someone who challenges prejudice and inequality.”

You can see more about the school’s journey on twitter @AirdrieAcadLGBT