College earns Rainbow Flag award for LGBT+ practices

Solihull College & University Centre has been praised for its LGBT+ inclusion practices, by gaining the student voice section of the Rainbow Flag award.

The Rainbow Flag is a national quality assurance framework for education providers that focuses on positive LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities) inclusion and visibility.

The college recently received the Student Voice section of the award.

Assessors commended the college on its student-led approach to inclusion, stating: “It is clear the impact an LGBT+ officer and a pride club have had on the positive LGBT+ inclusion in your college. ”

Assessors also highlighted the staff and student guides produced by the Pride Club as examples of good practice of student-led initiatives adding: “The Pride Club should be incredibly proud of the achievements they have made in the short two and a half years they have been meeting. ”

Last year, the club created a display featuring information on LGBT poetry, prose and plays.

They held an event about LGBT awareness with flyers available for students to take and read, plus a range of other activities.

This year, due to lockdown, Performing Arts student and LGBT+ officer Will Pullen, 21 from North Solihull, has focused his attentions on virtual delivery. He has created tutorials on defining LGBT+ and on LGBT+ figures in history which he will be delivering virtually to several departments. There is also a student competition taking place to design a poster about an LGBT+ icon.

Will has this advice for future students: “Be yourself, don 't worry about being judged, we are a very non-judgmental college who are there for everyone. ”

The college will be applying for the full Rainbow Flag award this year.

Pictured: Will Pullen pictured centre, Student Enrichment co-ordinator Grace Wynne Willson centre left and fellow students with flags