SIR Thomas Boteler Church of England High School has been awarded The Rainbow Flag Award, a national quality assurance framework that recognises schools and colleges for demonstrating positive LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility.
The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole-organisation approach to inclusion, while also supporting strategies to challenge and combat all forms of LGBTQphobia. By engaging with the framework, schools commit to improving the experiences of all young people they work with, as well as LGBTQ+ students, those from LGBTQ+ families, and LGBTQ+ staff members.
The award, achieved over an 18-month period, required the school to provide evidence of inclusive practice across six key areas, spanning all aspects of school life — from the curriculum to governance.
The Award was lead by Miss Alice Roberts, Publicity Manager and LGBTQ+ Council Lead and Mrs Lisa Butcher, Head of PSHE. Miss Alice Roberts said: “Inclusivity is vital across all areas of school life, ensuring that every student is seen, heard and safe. Educating against prejudice is paramount, and the work we do — evidenced through The Rainbow Flag Award — reflects our ongoing commitment to this. Every member of our school community deserves to feel respected and valued for who they are. We will continue to ensure that inclusivity is embedded in everything we do, so that all of our young people grow and learn in an environment where they can truly flourish.”
Chair of Governors Mr Geraint Williams commented: “As a Governor, I am delighted that the school has been successful in receiving a Rainbow Flag Award. Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which all students can thrive. The Rainbow Flag Award provided a framework to ensure that this is the case for LGBTQ+ students. The decision of the school to undertake a programme of work to demonstrate this had the full support of the Local Governing Challenge Body, and we recognised the achievement with thanks for those involved at our last meeting”.
Photo, left to right: Miss Alice Roberts (Publicity Manager & LGBTQ+ Council Lead), Mrs Lisa Butcher (Head of PSHE), Year 11 student Lexi Stone (Head of LGBTQ+ Council) and Mr Geraint Williams (Chair of Governors).
