Learning Themes

LGBT Inclusive Education Learning Themes

In Scotland, LGBT Inclusive Education centres around a series of Learning Themes that have been set out in National Guidance. These provide topical headlines for teachers when they are planning their curriculum content in this area.

Teachers plan learning based on these Learning Themes, but develop their own curriculum materials. This gives teachers the flexibility to tailor learning to their young people and setting. The Learning Themes are included across the curriculum and throughout the year, but always in a manner that is relevant, natural and meaningful. Below is a more detailed explanation of the content included within each of the Learning Themes.

The LGBT Inclusive Education Learning Themes are:

  • Understanding the Equality Act (2010), UNCRC and Human Rights
  • Identifying prejudice, discrimination, and bullying (including homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia)
  • Recognising and challenging gender stereotypes
  • Diverse families, including LGBT parents and siblings
  • Celebrating diversity and difference
  • History of LGBT equality movements
  • LGBT past and present figures and role models

The LGBT Learning Themes Explained

Understanding the Equality Act (2010), UNCRC and Human Rights

Helping young people to understand their rights and the rights of others, including the rights of LGBT people. Learners will discover the legal protections they have, including the Equality Act (2010) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). There will be exploration of human rights historically and in the present day, in Scotland, the UK, and around the world.

Identifying prejudice, discrimination, and bullying, (including homophobia, biphobia and transphobia)

Learning about prejudice, discrimination and bullying, including towards LGBT people. Learners will understand what the school expects from their behaviour towards others. There will be wider discussion of prejudice and discrimination in the past and present, its impact, and how it can be addressed. Stories of prejudice and discrimination may be presented through historical study, in documentaries, books or film, or through the real lived experience of speakers.

Recognising and challenging gender stereotypes

Addressing the gender stereotypes that impact on young people. Traditional gender roles can still cause young people to feel like they need to look or act a certain way, favour certain school subjects and social activities, and limits their career aspirations and ability to express themselves. The prejudice experienced by LGBT young people often stems from these gender stereotypes. Giving learners the ability to recognise and challenge gender stereotypes means that they are able to be themselves.

Diverse families, including LGBT parents and siblings

Ensuring young people see a range of different families in their learning. This may mean families with two mums or two dads, but also other diverse families, such as single parent or blended families. This allows young people to better understand families that may be different to their own, and allows children of LGBT parents to see reflections of their own family. Children with LGBT parents and siblings can face bullying, so it is important that all learners understand that these families exist and that they should not treat them differently to others.

Celebrating diversity and difference

Including representation of a diverse range of people in teaching. Young people may not see positive representations of LGBT people in their lives, which can contribute to prejudice and bullying. This theme can cover a wide scope of learning, from novels with LGBT people and themes, showcasing the work of LGBT artists and musicians, or learning about history and culture of the community. It allows learners to better understand LGBT people and allows LGBT young people to feel included in their learning.

History of LGBT equality movements

Studying the individuals and movements that have been involved in the fight for LGBT equality. Focusing on the 19th, 20th and 21st century efforts to gain equal rights and respect for LGBT people in society, it includes LGBT equality movements in Scotland, the UK, and around the world. This theme helps learners to better understand the context of LGBT people in society today and the historical injustices in the treatment of LGBT people to better understand events that happen now, e.g. why there is such a thing as ‘Pride’.

LGBT past and present figures and role models

Recognising the countless LGBT people who have made positive contributions to our society locally, nationally and internationally. By including LGBT figures and role models in learning, young people have the chance to understand the stories of individual LGBT people in a way that increases understanding of the experiences of LGBT people in the past and present. Learners see examples of successful LGBT people, which is particularly important for LGBT young people. Individual role models will be selected by teachers to fit their topics and enhance learning for young people.

Are you a teacher?

Further information and examples of practice using the LGBT Inclusive Education Learning Themes can be explored in the national ‘Delivering LGBT Inclusive Education’ CPD. This is available free of charge to all primary and secondary teachers in Scotland.