Just Like Us launches new toolkit of LGBT+ inclusive teaching resources

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Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, has launched a new toolkit of LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) inclusive teaching resources for all key stages and across the curriculum, available for free to educators who sign up to take part in School Diversity Week 2021.

School Diversity Week is Just Like Us’ annual celebration of LGBT+ equality in education, celebrated by thousands of primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across the UK and taking place 21-25 June, 2021.

The online toolkit is free for all to access and contains teaching resources such as lesson plans for all key stages, across the curriculum, for the first time. To gain access to the toolkit, sign up to take part in School Diversity Week 2021 at www.justlikeus.org

Included in the free toolkit are posters, lesson plans, assemblies, book recommendations and inspiring ways to make learning LGBT+ inclusive for all key stages, right across the curriculum.

Resources in the new toolkit include ‘Different Families’ for EYFS, ‘Alan Turing, his life and achievements’ for KS2 ICT, ‘My Family’ in three different languages for KS3, ‘Religion and being LGBT+’ for KS4, and ‘Queer Eye and probability’ for KS4 maths.

The online toolkit also contains resources developed in partnership with Andersen Press on their best-selling children’s book character Elmer, created by David McKee (‘Elmer’s fortune teller’ for KS1-2 design and technology) as well as with Twinkl (‘Grow your own rainbow’ for KS1 science).

School Diversity Week is a fantastic way for primary schools, secondary schools and colleges to demonstrate that they are safe and welcoming places for pupils who may be LGBT+ or have LGBT+ families.

Just Like Us’ new independent research has found that LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to feel lonely and worry daily about their mental health. In addition, one in four (25%) is facing daily tensions at home.

Mia, a 15-year-old year 11 pupil from Liverpool, said: “It’s important for teachers to be supportive because it makes a big difference to students’ mental health and stops them feeling alone. It makes students feel more comfortable because if they’re not accepted at home, it helps them feel accepted at school and that they can be themselves. 

“It makes me happier to go to school knowing that they’re accepting, all schools should do it because it makes you feel more comfortable.”

By taking part in School Diversity Week, educators can send a positive message to their pupils that being LGBT+ is accepted at their school or college. Sign up to take part and gain access to the toolkit of resources at www.justlikeus.org