A CAMPAIGNING mother is urging schools to do more to support LGBT+ youngsters after her own trans daughter suffered years of bullying.

Darlington woman Carol Greenwood has been speaking at schools across the town after learning that there were none signed up to the national Educate and Celebrate programme.

The programme, which recognises best practice concerning the provision of an LGBT+ friendly, safe and inclusive environment for all pupils, has been rolled out at a number of schools across Durham and Mrs Greenwood hopes schools in Darlington will follow in their stead.

Supported by her husband, Peter, she was inspired to act by her eldest daughter, Alexandra, who is trans and was targeted by callous bullies during her school days.

Mrs Greenwood recently addressed school governors at a quarterly meeting hosted by Darlington councillor Cyndi Hughes, who is backing the Greenwoods’ fight for change.

Mrs Greenwood, who was a teacher for several years, said: “My daughter did not realise she was trans until later life but had a miserable experience in school.

“If she had been at a school where there was something like Educate and Celebrate, perhaps the penny would have dropped earlier – it could have made a huge difference to her.

“Her life had been confused and distressing, she was targeted by sadistic bullies, regularly humiliated and did not get any support from school.

“Schools now have a duty to support LGBT+ children and to show evidence of how they tackle any homophobic bullying, they have to do more to reflect modern families - I’d also like to see school libraries with more LGBT+ representation, books are an opportunity to start conversations.”

Alexandra Greenwood, 33, praised her mother for attempting to inspire change, adding: “It’s amazing that she has managed to reach so many schools.

“Everybody wants children to go to school feeling safe and happy and it’s not a lot to ask for adults and teachers to be supportive of trans children, they deserve a welcoming environment.

“People think that being trans is a necessarily painful experience but it does not have to be like that for children.

“If they grew up with support around them, it would be a different story, they don’t have to be miserable.”

She added: “We can take significant steps forward by being understanding, accepting and believing trans children when they say they are who they say they are – it would help to put all children on an equal footing.”

In response to Mrs Greenwood’s awareness raising bid, Carmel College has agreed to host a training event this autumn, which is being offered for free by Educate and Celebrate and open to all Darlington schools.

Cllr Hughes said: “Schools are now expected to step up and governors want to be more aware of what families are facing when a young person realises that they are trans.

“I’m very supportive of the Greenwoods and would like to give them full credit for wanting to help other people figure this out.”