FIFE schools have embraced a charter programme designed to support LGBTQ+ staff and pupils.

Dunfermline High School is currently working towards chartered status and is one of 10 in the Kingdom to engage with the scheme.

The LGBT Youth Scotland Charter strategy provides organisations with training to challenge prejudice and promote equality and diversity.

Ali Kerr, Head of Partnerships at LGBT Youth Scotland, hopes to reach 75 per cent of secondary schools in Scotland over the coming year, with 212 of 357 already involved.

A further 40 primary schools and 21 colleges and universities have also been either awarded charter status or are working towards it.

Ms Kerr said: "These are formative years for young people and it’s vital that LGBTQ+ individuals are supported and that non-LGBTQ+ people feel equipped and inspired to champion inclusivity at every turn.

"Having such a high proportion of Fife schools working in partnership with us and participating in our LGBT Charter shows that they are playing a key role in creating safe spaces for young LGBTQ+ people in Scotland.

"With over half of secondary schools participating, this represents a significant commitment from Scottish educators to LGBT inclusion. The job isn’t done though, we’d ideally love all of our secondary and further education providers to achieve charter status."

There are four LGBT Charter awards offered: Foundations, created for local authority teams with a focus on developing tools and processes used to increase inclusion across the organisation; and Bronze, Silver, and Gold, designed for education providers to support the development of policies, CPD for teachers, inclusive practice and learner participation.

Gaining Charter accreditation takes place over a 12-to-18-month period, during which institutions and organisations are guided step-by-step by expert LGBT Youth Scotland facilitators on training, policy, practice, promotional material and resources, and monitoring and evaluation.

Organisations and businesses can also apply to become chartered to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of work, protecting staff and providing a high quality service to customers and service users.

The LGBT Charter is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Policy advice is guided by the Equality Act 2010.

For more information visit: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/the-lgbt-charter/.