Sexual Orientation and Gender Considerations in Boarding schools

• Date: May 16, 2024
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Cost: BSA Full Member – £110, BSA Affiliate Member – £165, Non-member – £220
• Audience: Senior Leaders, EDI leads, Boarding staff
• Platform: Zoom (online) – Half-Day Seminar

Course outline

This interactive seminar aims to deepen your understanding of the diverse experiences of LGBT+ individuals in boarding school settings. By exploring the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities, analysing historical and contemporary challenges faced by LGBT+ individuals, and learning strategies to foster inclusivity, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create supportive environments that celebrate diversity. We will examine the intersections of identity, education, and advocacy in boarding schools, and explore ways to promote a more inclusive and affirming educational experience for all students and staff.

Timetable:

10:00- 10:05

Introduction

Chair: Gaelle Sullivan, Director Research and Inclusion BSA, Director TIOB

10.05- 10.35

LGBT + policy and the combined staff and student approach

Our approach to EDI is embedded in our values and school systems, guiding our approach to clear and supportive LGBT+ policies that provide a framework for practice, support for pupils and guidance for teachers.

In this session we will explore our journey in developing LGBT+ policies and systems that underpin a pupil’s experience of school life, the implementation of whole school initiatives, the importance of pupil voice, guidelines for engaging parents and our tips for embracing challenges! 

Speakers: Louise Fahey and Aimee Seal, Caterham School

10:40-11.10

Queer Panic! How to stay calm about LGBTQ+ people in your Boarding House

Ed Boulter-Comer shares over 20 year of experience in the Boarding Sector and explores the needs of LGBTQ+ Students and Staff and those around them.

Speaker: Ed Boulter-Comer, Houseparent, Fettes College

11:15-11.45

LGBT+ Approach to achieving the Rainbow award and EDI journey

In this session, we will delve into our school’s journey towards achieving the Rainbow Flag Award and our ongoing commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion across the whole school. Our approach integrates LGBT+ inclusion into our broader goal of providing a ‘future-ready’ education that emphasises acceptance, unity, and belonging for every individual, empowering them to reach their full potential. We will share some of the highlights and some of the obstacles that we have encountered along the way.  

Speaker: M Jolly, Charterhouse School

11:45-12:00

Q&A/Discussion

Learning outcomes:

• Create and foster a culture of inclusion and support for all LGBT+ pupils
• Consider the implications for boarding environment
• Critically analyse latest guidance and case studies

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Speakers:

Louise Fahey, Assistant Head: Pastoral & Wellbeing and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Caterham School

Pupil wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion have been central to Louise’s career within education and wider agencies.   Lousie started teaching in 1992 in a state secondary school and has enjoyed the challenges of a range of different settings since then, including, further education, boarding and independent schools.   In 2005, Louise worked for the Dept. of Children Young People and Learners, Croydon to support the educational needs of Young Carers, followed by work within adolescent mental health.  In 2013, Louise joined Caterham School.  Louise has been responsible for developing & implementing a whole school Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy & overseeing development of provision.  Louise is currently Assistant Head: Pastoral and Wellbeing and the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Caterham School.

Aimee Seal, Head of Year (Lower School), Equity, Diveristy and Inclusion co-ordinator, Teacher of Biology, Caterham School

Aimee Seal has been a Head of Year for Lower School pupils for 12 years qat Caterham, she has also been a Head of Department and she is currently the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion co-ordinator. This role involves working with senior leaders to discuss EDI strategic decisions and policy, working with both Teaching and Professional Services staff to foster a more inclusive community, and working with the pupil led Voices4Change group. Our Caterham Voice4Change group actively promotes diversity and inclusion across all aspects of school, organising awareness raising events, driving positive reflection and actioning change, creating celebratory resources, as well as leading assemblies.

Ed Boulter-Comer, Houseparent, Fettes College

Ed Started teaching in the Independent Sector in 2002. The State Sector could not employ him at that point as he was gay, very much out of the closet, and Section 28 still forbade the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality. Being a teacher well before sexual orientation became a protected characteristic in 2010, he has forged a career of ‘firsts’ in the schools he has worked in. First out teacher. First out teacher in a boarding House. First teacher to get a civil partnership. First teacher to have adoption leave. First gay Houseparent. Going first can be a leap of faith for individuals and institutions and Ed will share some of the ways in which he has brought people along with him over the past two decades.

Ed is the Houseparent of a Senior Boy’s House at Fettes College in Edinburgh. He, his husband, and their two children live alongside 60 students, not all of whom are boys.

M Jolly, Director of Wellbeing and Inclusion, Charterhouse School

M Jolly is the director of wellbeing and inclusion and senior leader at Charter House school. She is also a qualified therapist and clinical Supervisor. She has worked in schools with young people for over ten years and is creating real change within her school. M Jolly, harnesses student voice to bring awareness to the school community and beyond about important issues. The EDI vision between 2021-2023 has placed emphasis on allyship and anti-discrimination, culminating in pupil-led Charters for Anti-Racism, Anti-Sexism, LGBTQ+ and Anti-Bullying. Her school were recently awarded The Rainbow Flag Award, in recognition of their pro-active and whole School approach to the positive inclusion and visibility of LGBT+ people.