Watch pupils share why School Diversity Week 2023 matters
News
Primary and secondary school pupils and teachers have come together to share why School Diversity Week matters to them.
This year is set to be the biggest celebration of LGBT+ equality ever. More than 6,000 primary and secondary schools are now signed up to take part in School Diversity Week.
School Diversity Week 2023 follows the release of Just Like Us’ Positive Futures report, which found supportive school environments lead to LGBT+ people being happier and less ashamed of who they are in adulthood.
Watch pupils share why School Diversity Week matters
School Diversity Week 2023 is supported by headline sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co, and sponsor Marsh.
Amy Ashenden, interim CEO of Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, said: “This year is set to be our biggest yet, and we’re so thankful to all primary and secondary schools taking part.
“We know from our research that LGBT+ people desperately want these conversations to start in primary school – that is as simple as learning that LGBT+ people exist, such as reading a book where a character has lesbian mums.
“At a time when things are really difficult for LGBT+ young people, we can give them hope by making their time at school happier and more accepting. We must show young people that being LGBT+ is nothing to be ashamed of.”
What is School Diversity Week?
School Diversity Week takes place every June across the UK. It is a celebration of LGBT+ equality, showing all young people that being LGBT+ is nothing to be ashamed of.
Ready-to-go resources provided by Just Like Us are entirely free so that teachers can easily start discussions about LGBT+ topics with their pupils.
For the first time this year, there are also specific resources for faith schools, SEND school, and bilingual resources in Welsh and English, so that all schools have access to LGBT+ inclusion.
More than 6,000 schools are signed up to take part and celebrate this 26-30 June.
Resources range from LGBT+ inclusive lessons, to storytime activities to assemblies and school talks from Just Like Us, to fundraisers with Rainbow Ribbons and a Rainbow Friday dress-up day.
The free resources cover EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4 as well as all key subject areas – including posters, lesson plans, assemblies, form time activities and video resources.
Get involved
This year, we are running a competition to reward the efforts of schools who go above and beyond to celebrate! To enter, make sure you have signed up to take part, then fill in our feedback survey.
If you work in a UK primary or secondary school, you can sign up to take part in School Diversity Week and receive access to our free educational resources.
