Since the Spring term of the last school year, a group of students (now in year 11) in Nonsuch High School for Girls decided that they themselves should correct the lack of an LGBT+ Society in the school. The students, already extremely invested in LGBT+ rights and conversations, knew first hand what an ignorance on the subject could lead to, and decided that the best way to prevent this from happening was to help people understand more about LGBT+ — and a club seemed like the perfect opportunity to do such a thing. They also collectively wanted a safe and welcoming place for not just those wanting to learn about LGBT+, but for the LGBT+ and questioning community within the school also.
The grammar school already had a myriad of societies — including but not limited to a feminist and amnesty society — but in the years the students had attended the school, did not have a Gay-Straight Alliance available to girls who were not in the sixth form. Additionally, these societies were all run by sixth form, making the LGBT+ society one of the only student-run clubs in the school planned and executed by girls in KS4.
Having decided to take actions into their own hands, one of the girls emailed the Head of Year, asking permission to start the club. Their permission was granted, but came with a handful of criteria that had to be met before the club was allowed to become official. The active girls did not give up. After finding a member of staff who would be willing to supervise the society (a necessary addition due to the girls not being in sixth form) and a room where they could meet weekly, the students began to build up an interest from peers before the posters could reach the walls.
They all knew that they would have a sufficient turn out to their first meeting, which took place in the second week of the first school term in September this year, due to having already gotten confirmation of interest from fellow students in their own school year. They had also sent out posters to each year group, believing that the club should not be restricted by age, as its main purpose was to be an open, safe space for all those who needed it (including those in the younger years). However, no one expected such a big turnout on their first week, with at least thirty students attending the first session; and the numbers only increased in sessions to follow.
After the initial start up, meetings on LGBT+ introductions, history and media have been held, along with sessions celebrating differing LGBT+ Pride days which coincided with the timetable (such as Bisexuality Visibility Day and Spirit Day). One of the girls who helped to start up and helps to run Nonsuch’s LGBT+ Society stated that ‘the response has been so great and everyone loves getting involved. It shows how important representation and support is in school.’
The girls have plans to continue with the society until they leave Nonsuch in the Summer, and already have girls in the younger years wanting to take over running it when they do.
By Amber Shah, Nonsuch High School for Girls
