St Mogue's College 'first' Cavan School awarded for LGBTQ+ inclusion
The school recently finished an 18-month journey embedding LGBTQ+ inclusion across people, policies and practices.
St Mogue's College is the first school to be awarded the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark for its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The post-primary school recently finished an 18-month journey embedding LGBTQ+ inclusion across their people, policies and practices.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is run by Belong To, Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ youth organisation. Students, teachers and principals from 37 schools came together to receive their award at a celebratory event at The Foundry, Google Headquarters in Dublin.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark initiative is a holistic approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion in post-primary schools that involves the whole school community.
Over the course of 18 months, schools were supported in implementing evidence-based actions across a number of key areas, which research shows improves the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ students. The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark was created with support from Google.org.
Meanwhile, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia remain a significant challenge for LGBTQ+ students. In Ireland, 76% of LGBTQ+ second-level students feel unsafe at school. The schools involved in the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark have worked tirelessly to create an environment where all students feel safe and supported.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State Jack Chambers pointed to how the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark “recognised” the importance of schools becoming places where members of the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe and supported.
“We know that a supportive school environment can have a hugely beneficial impact on the wellbeing and attainment of LGBTQ+ students,” he added. “Together, we need to address the anti-LGBTQ+ stigma and discrimination that remains prevalent in our society.
“The Government is committed to ensuring the safety, equality and inclusion of all students, including our LGBTQ+ students, by creating safe, supportive and inclusive school environments for all.”