www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Information for Parents
Schools and other public organisations are required by law to promote diversity on grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, class, gender, sexuality, disability and other forms of difference. But schools can’t do this on their own. If children observe behaviour and attitudes against diversity (such as racism, homophobia or sexism) at home, it will act against the positive messages they should be receiving at school.
You can get more information about the law from:
If you think your child is experiencing bullying from another child because they are different in some way, go through their school's usual bullying procedure. If you think they are experiencing discrimination from the staff at the school, you can make a complaint through the council's education department: 01225 713000.
Discrimination can take many forms. A member of staff might seem to be treating your child unfairly, to be making comments about their gender, sexuality or ethnicity, or be giving them extra tasks to do. Some groups of students tend to do less well at the moment than other groups, so the member of staff might be trying to compensate for this. If you have any questions about how your child is treated at school, you should contact them direct.
If a child is a victim of crime because they are different, this is known as hate crime. Hate Crime can be reported in confidence to the police on the Report It website or you can report it over the phone: 01380 735735.
Family Friends of Lesbian and Gays (FFLAG) is a charity dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay and bisexual sons and daughters. 01454 852148, www.fflag.org.uk.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
