County schools are the best for tackling homophobic bullying

The county council won the accolade from the charity Stonewall, which measured practice and policy at 50 local authorities across the UK for the Education Equality Index 2016.

Council chiefs have worked with Herts for Learning (HfL), while young LGBT people and the Police and Crime Commissioner have also played key roles.

This work includes an emphasis on training and support for council and school staff, and bespoke anti-bullying training, workshops and surgery sessions.

Karin Hutchinson, lead teaching and learning adviser at HfL, said: “Herts for Learning has been proud to lead the strategy to develop LGBT inclusion and equality across Herts for many years.

“The exciting developments this year have crossed the age ranges from work to support our early years settings right through to significant increases in LGBT youth provision and the embedding of a strategic group for LGBT youth voice that is influencing service development.

“Stonewall’s recognition of our work gives us renewed vitality to ensure that every young person in Herts can fulfil their potential.”

Sarah Rose, senior account manager at Stonewall, said: “Herts for Learning and Hertfordshire County Council have shone with their incredible initiatives and work with and for young people, and are role modelling behaviour in its commitment to fighting bullying and discrimination.”