Majority of English schools taking "active steps" to be LGBTQ+ inclusive

The majority of English primary and secondary schools are taking “active steps” to be LGBTQ+ inclusive, according to new research from Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity.  

Fifty-five per-cent of more than 9,000 teachers surveyed across England said they “agree” or “strongly agree” that their school takes “active steps to be LGBTQ+ inclusive”. 

For secondary school teachers only, this increased to over two-thirds (68%), while almost two in five (39%) of primary school teachers said the same. While a large proportion (43%) of primary school teachers said they neither agreed nor disagreed that their school takes active steps towards LGBTQ+ inclusion, just 12% said they “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed”. 

Nine per-cent of teachers overall said they “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” that their school takes active steps to be LGBTQ+ inclusive, with 7% of secondary school teachers saying the same. 

Just Like Us’ research was carried out independently by Teacher Tapp, surveying 3,330 primary school teachers and 6,017 secondary school teachers across England in September 2025.

At Just Like Us, we’re determined to keep fighting until all young people feel safe at school and know they belong exactly as they are.

Laura Mackay, CEO of Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity, said: “It’s really encouraging to see that the majority of teachers in England are prioritising inclusion. Despite divisive narratives in politics and the media about supporting LGBTQ+ pupils in education, this research shows thousands of schools are doing the right thing. 

“However, the number of teachers who are unsure whether their school is taking active steps to be LGBTQ+ inclusive is a sign that more visible, tangible and consistent work needs to be done. Taking action to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive school environment can be as simple as openly discussing LGBTQ+ identities with all ages and across the curriculum. Teachers can also take things one step further by ensuring pupils have access to relatable LGBTQ+ role models with a free School Talk or setting up a safe space for LGBTQ+ pupils and allies with a Pride Group.

“We know that when schools show all of their pupils that being LGBTQ+ is something to be celebrated, it builds empathy and strengthens the whole school community. At Just Like Us, we’re determined to keep fighting until all young people feel safe at school and know they belong exactly as they are."

Beth Gibbs, a teacher in the East Midlands and staff champion of her school’s Just Like Us Pride Group, added: “LGBTQ+ inclusion has grown at our school in the last five years, now encompassing lesson delivery in Personal Development lessons, whole school assemblies for LGBTQ+ History and Pride month, running of a Pride Group and activities in Ready to Learn morning sessions with form tutors. 

Students are taught about topics like transphobia and the historic challenges faced by the community.

“I took the Pride Group on when I started at the Academy three years ago, and it has grown from less than 10 members to at least 30 every Tuesday. It has included students from Years 7-13, and has created a safe space for these students to learn about different identities, meet other members of the community, and engage in team-building activities.

“LGBTQ+ inclusion is evident in curriculum delivery, Pride Groups engagement but also in whole school narrative on LGBTQ+ issues. Students are taught about topics like transphobia and the historic challenges faced by the community. Any anti-LGBTQ+ incidents are handled by the Pastoral team and sanctioned appropriately, with parental contact taking place where necessary.

"Just Like Us has a fantastic bank of curriculum and club resources that allow for planning of weekly sessions, recommendations of LGBTQ+ media to relevant students, and content for whole school deliveries.”