Galway based schools Clarin College and Coláiste na bPiarsach, and Youthreach Galway City received the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark recognising their work over an 18-month period to foster LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion for their students.
The schools and centre were presented with their awards at an event in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin which was attended by over 350 staff and student representatives, including those from Galway and hosted by social media influencer and TV presenter James Kavanagh.
The 44 schools presented with their LGBTQ+ Quality Mark represent 17 counties and 26,000 post primary school students across the country.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark
The accreditation initiative was developed by Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland in 2022. That year, the School Climate Survey by Columbia University revealed that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Galway and across Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools.
Since the pilot programme, over 100 schools and Youthreach centres have embarked on the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark journey to improve the lives and experiences of their LGBTQ+ students.
The initiative draws on national and international best practice to create an environment where students feel safe and welcome regardless of who they are.
This is done through a host of practical, proactive actions such establishing an LGBTQ+ and Allies Club for students, training whole-staff teams on supporting LGBTQ+ students and promoting the representation of LGBTQ+ families and identities in classroom teaching.
The School Climate Survey 2022, showed that an action as simple as including LGBTQ+ related topics in the curriculum resulted in young people:
- 22% more likely to feel like they belong at school
- 11% more likely to feel accepted by the student body
- 8% less likely to miss days of school due to feeling unsafe
LGBTQ+ second-level students feel unsafe at school
Speaking about the awards today, Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO of Belong To, said, “Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia remain a significant challenge for LGBTQ+ students in Galway and across the country.”
“The School Climate Survey 2022 conducted by Columbia University has shown that in Ireland, compared to the general youth population, LGBTQ+ students are four times more likely to suffer verbal harassment and five times more likely to be physically harassed.”
“It’s no surprise then that 76% of LGBTQ+ second-level students feel unsafe at school,” she added.
“It is in this context that we say how proud we are at Belong To to have been working with this brilliant cohort of schools and Youthreach centres to make positive change and create safe spaces.”
“Across the board, every principal, coordinator, teacher and staff member has shown a huge level of commitment to fostering a truly inclusive environment in their school and to supporting all students in their care.”
“I want to congratulate all for the actions that they have taken throughout the process and hope that they feel extremely proud to stand with the students and young people from their school or centre today, knowing what a huge impact their work has had and will continue to have on the lives of so many Galway young people.”
Also speaking today at the event was Leanne O’Connor, Coordinator at Youthreach Galway City who commented, “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“Through comprehensive training, awareness programs, and ongoing support, we strive to create a school culture where everyone feels valued and respected.”
“This honour highlights our dedication to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every student can thrive authentically and confidently in their educational journey with us.”
