New resource launched to educate teachers on supporting trans+ students

The Proud Trust has launched their toolkit to put an end to transphobia in schools 

BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY THE PROUD TRUST 

LGBTQIA youth charity The Proud Trust has just launched a brand new toolkit to help schools better support trans and non-binary students. Coinciding with Trans Day of Visibility, this new toolkit will meet the growing desire from teachers to be better equipped to support trans and non-binary students. 

Research published by The Proud Trust found that 90% of teachers actively want more training to support trans students. The same research found that less than half of young people feel confident that their school would know how to approach a student coming out as trans appropriately. 

So what will the toolkit do? The free resource will provide clear and straightforward advice to teachers and school staff about how to create trans-inclusive environments. Given that The Proud Trust’s research found that 61% of young people felt that their school would not do well when dealing with transphobic bullying, resources like this are more needed than ever. 

One teacher spoke to The Proud Trust about why this resource is needed: “As an older person, I have my heart in the right place but am worried about making mistakes as this whole topic is a minefield to me. The young people I work with know that I support them but I don’t necessarily always say the right thing; I am always swift to apologise when I make a mistake. I feel that it is a journey for me to try and gain the confidence to support them more effectively.”

Due to a rise in anti-trans rhetoric in both the media and politics, it is unsurprising that trans and non-binary students are witnessing an unprecedented rise in bullying and transphobia at school. Research by Just Like Us revealed that 65% of trans young people worry about their mental health daily. 

The Proud Trust’s toolkit hopes to address these issues head on, providing the information and guidance needed to tackle homophobia. 

Rachel Williams (they/them), Interim CEO of The Proud Trust, said: “We know that when schools create a positive and inclusive environment, LGBTQ+ young people can thrive. That’s why we have created this Trans Inclusion Toolkit – to give clear and practical guidance, that gives teachers and other school staff the confidence to place trans and non-binary young people at the centre of their own coming out story.” 

You can download the toolkit from The Proud Trust’s website here. 

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