Villiers School Awarded LGBTQ+ Quality Mark: A First for Limerick
Villiers School proudly announces that Belong To – the national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ youth in Ireland, has awarded us the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark. This recognition places Villiers among a select group of schools nationwide and marks a significant milestone for our region: we are the first school in Limerick to earn this accreditation, and one of only three schools in Limerick to have ever achieved it.
The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark offers schools a structured and comprehensive pathway to becoming safer and more supportive environments for LGBTQ+ young people. Developed by Belong To, this national initiative helps promote wellbeing and inclusion by focusing on four core areas: fostering an inclusive culture and school environment, embedding LGBTQ+ content within the curriculum, strengthening inclusive relationships and community partnerships, and ensuring inclusive school policies and strategic planning. These actions are grounded in research and are proven to improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ students, including in their mental health, school engagement, and overall well-being. – For more information on the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, click on the following link: https://www.belongto.org/support-for-someone-else/at-school/post-primary/lgbtq-quality-mark/
This award reflects Villiers School’s long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We believe that every student should feel safe, valued, and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark strengthens our whole-school approach to equity and ensures that LGBTQ+ inclusion is consistently prioritised.
On Friday, 23rd February, members of our staff and student body joined a national celebration event at The Foundry in Google Headquarters, Dublin, where Belong To recognised 37 schools from across Ireland for their achievements. Presenter and podcaster James Kavanagh hosted the event, which welcomed representatives from the Department of Education and various advocacy organisations.
Villiers Head of School, Jill Storey, commented:
“Villiers School strives to foster a safe and inclusive culture, and the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is just one element of our ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Villiers and in the wider community. We would like to thank Belong To for the work that they continue to do in supporting schools to become safe places for LGBTQ+ students and staff.”
We are proud to be leading the way in Limerick and continuing to create a school environment where every student can be themselves freely and feel a true sense of belonging.
