TWO West Cork schools have been awarded the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, which recognises both schools work to create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ young people.

West Cork Sudbury School in Bantry received the recognition for the first time, while Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway was reaccredited with the Quality Mark, having been initially awarded it in 2023.

A total of 39 post-primary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland were recognised at the event, representing over 2,300 staff and 22,000 students from across the country.

Claire Supervie, a teacher at West Cork Sudbury School, said the award was ‘a great opportunity to reflect on our school processes and policies and identify what we needed to create or change to make sure our school could become not only a safe space for LGBTQ+ students but a place that celebrates and supports them.’

She added that the students have been at the centre of the changes that  the school made.

‘We visited each other, learned from each other and got to experience what allyship can mean in the education system in Ireland’

The accredited schools were found to have implemented robust, LGBTQ+-inclusive anti-bullying policies, establishment of ‘LGBTQ+ and Allies clubs’ to foster peer support and direct outreach to parents and the wider school community to build a culture of belonging. 

The ceremony marked one of the first major engagements for Belong To’s new CEO, Bandon native Kieran O’Donovan. 

He said that  staff and students have shown real dedication to building environments where every young person feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves. 

‘While we know from our 2022 School Climate Survey that 76% of LGBTQ+ youth still do not feel safe at school, the schools recognised today are taking meaningful action to change that,’ said Kieran.

‘These schools and centres are leading the way. Their work shows what is possible when inclusion is prioritised, resourced, and embedded across school culture. We are proud to recognise their achievements and look forward to supporting many more schools on this journey.’