Students at The Garibaldi School marked Pride Month — four weeks dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities all around the world — and plan to further strengthen equality and diversity within their community.

This year — under a new Equality, Diversity and Religion curriculum — students and staff at Forest Town school, which is part of Nova Education Trust, put up brightly-coloured Pride posters.

Students were provided with assistance and signposted to guidance and support.

Year 7 had two hours of nominated lessons to learn about the history of Pride and why it is still so important to this day.

Lead teacher Adam Hales was instrumental in paving the way for change and awareness at the school, and formed the Equality and Diversity group.

“We have been teaching the students about the illegality of homophobic language and crimes, explaining the implications of these acts on individuals in our communities,” he said.

Mentor groups across the school filled in A3 pieces of paper with messages of hope, love and pride. The individual messages were combined to create a huge flag that is on display in the school hall.

Year 7 student Kaitlyn Hammond said: “In Pride month the school did a great job of educating us on the topic. I know many in my year now know the reason why we celebrate Pride Month and why it is so good.”

Fellow Year 7 student Jaden Bingley added: “The flag is really good because everyone tried their best to make it. It represents LGBTQ really well because it is saying good things about everyone.”

The Garibaldi School will be taking part in the Rainbow Flag Award in September, which is a national quality assurance framework for primary, secondary and SEND schools and colleges.

The award focuses on positive LGBT+ inclusion and visibility. The Rainbow flag encourages positive inclusion and develops strategies to effectively challenge and combat phobic bullying towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other related identities.

The Rainbow Flag Award has been supporting and working with local LGBT+ young people in Nottinghamshire since 2010. Being part of this award improves the lives of all young people, including LGBT+ families and staff members.

With ongoing monitoring and feedback, schools and colleges have access to a variety of training, resources and interventions, helping them meet set standards in skilled teachers, supportive governors and parents, effective policies, inclusive curriculum, pastoral support and student voice.

The school will be raising money for the charity LGBT+Notts — www.lgbtplusnotts.org.uk — when students hold a non-uniform day on the last day of the summer term.