LGBTQ+ Pupils Feel Far Less Safe at School than their Peers, Research Finds

LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) pupils are far less likely to feel safe at school than their peers, new independent research by charity Just Like Us has found.

Only 58% of LGBTQ+ young people have felt safe at school on a daily basis in the past 12 months, compared to 73% of non-LGBTQ+ pupils. The independent study of 2,934 pupils aged 11-18 (1,140 of whom were LGBTQ+) across the UK by Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity, has found that LGBTQ+ young people are significantly more likely to struggle with mental health.

The data forms part of a larger report into inclusive education and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people that charity Just Like Us is due to publish in June 2021. One Year 12 pupil in the North West said: “I think it's very important to support everyone and encourage them to be themselves and not to feel scared that they won't be accepted.”

Matthew, a 14-year-old pansexual pupil from Coventry said: “If you don’t have a home life where people are accepting of being LGBTQ+, you need it to be accepted at school so you know it’s OK.”

Dominic Arnall, Chief Executive of Just Like Us (the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity), has called for schools and colleges to demonstrate that LGBTQ+ pupils are safe and welcome.

“Our independent research has devastatingly found that LGBT+ young people report feeling significantly less safe in school. They might be facing bullying or hearing negative language or they might just not see themselves belonging because there isn't positive messaging from their school. LGBTQ+ young people need to know it's OK to be themselves in school – especially if they don't have accepting families at home. One in four (25%) of LGBTQ+ young people said in our independent research that they are facing daily tension at home, so if they don't feel safe to be themselves at school, that leaves young people in a really difficult situation.

“We urge schools to demonstrate that they support their LGBTQ+ pupils and ensure they are safe in school – taking part in School Diversity Week is a great first step to sending a much-needed positive message of support.”

Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges needing support with LGBT+ inclusion can contact Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity, which runs School Diversity Week at www.justlikeus.org.