School staff urged to take issue of homophobic bullying seriously

People in teaching jobs should make sure that they are aware of existing guidance relating to homophobic bullying, it has been noted.

Along with governors, school staff should familiarise themselves with government advice about this issue, junior children's secretary Baroness Delyth Morgan has stated.

In a letter to headteachers, she urged the school leaders to ensure that all their staff are informed of the details of the guidance.

This move was welcomed by gay rights charity Stonewall, with its director of public affairs Derek Munn noting that it approves of this "further push to encourage education professionals to take the issue seriously".

Baroness Morgan's letter comes after the organisation published research suggesting that 90 per cent of teachers have not had any training about tackling homophobic bullying, despite nine in ten saying that they know it occurs in schools.

The government's guidance includes details about what to do if a pupil comes out and how to deal with derogatory use of the word 'gay'.

Other advice issued recently includes a pack for those in teaching jobs produced by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

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