ll new and existing teachers will be trained in tackling homophobic bullying under Labour plans to eradicate anti-gay prejudice from schools.
Unveiling measures to support the estimated 215,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils in British schools, the shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, said schools had a duty to show “a zero-tolerance approach” to homophobia in the classroom and playground.
He said: “The use of homophobic language and other forms of homophobic bullying is damaging the life chances of so many young people … There is no place for it in our society – and never should it be ignored in our schools.”
Under the plan, age-appropriate sex and relationships education will become compulsory in all schools, including in academies and free schools, which are currently exempt.