A new study from YouGov has found that anti-LGBTQ bullying is the most common form in UK schools. The study, whose results were published on Sky News, asked 1,000 teachers about what they’d observed.
The study found that 13% of children were being bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, this exceeded those who were bullied because of their race (11%), sex (7%) or religion (2%).
The study also found that 71% of teachers had witnessed homophobic bullying toward children, with a further 35% saying they had witnessed homophobic bullying at least once a month.
Another result showed that 59% of those asked backed LGBTQ relationship education in schools, with only 25% of people being against it.
The results come surrounding a national debate on whether LGBTQ-inclusive lessons should be taught in primary schools. In March, hundreds of children were withdrawn from the Parkfield Community School for the day by parents who felt the lessons were not age-appropriate, with some accusing the school of ‘promoting’ being gay and transgender.
No Outsiders – developed by Andrew Moffat, 2017 MBE recipient for services to equality and diversity in education – is a program of lessons that covers topics such as gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability and age.
Parkfield initially suspended teaching of the lessons, but has since reinstated them under a new title, “No Outsiders for a Faith Community”, which will be introduced in September.
Amanda Spielman, head of Ofsted, previously said protests against LGBTQ-inclusive education are “setting a terrible example for the children” and highlighted the importance of “constructive, professional dialogue” between teachers and parents.
The inclusive lessons have also received backing from the Education Secretary Damian Hinds. And West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, urged an end to “homophobic” protests that were taking place outside the Anderton Primary School over No Outsiders.
