PRIMARY schools in Blackburn and Darwen are in the grip of an 'culture of homophobia', according to a

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The NUT is calling for prejudice against gay people to be treated as seriously as racism and wants extra training for teachers.

Incidents reported ranged from using the word 'gay' as a derogatory term, to more severe homophobic bullying towards other pupils and teachers.

But some commentators warned against a zero-tolerance approach, saying primary school children didn't always understand what they were saying at such a young age.

Others said there was often nothing malicious in the behaviour and should be viewed as unacceptable language rather than prejudice.

Officials from the National Union of Teachers made the demands after conducting a survey of Blackburn and Darwen's primary school teachers with the borough council.

It found an 'endemic or prevalent culture of homophobia', despite a number of initiatives to tackle the problem.

The survey, which only centred on primary schools, revealed:

• A quarter of teachers saw or heard homophobic abuse in their school each term, with eight per cent observing the problem on a daily or weekly basis.

• Seven per cent of teachers saw specific pupils being targeted on a daily or weekly basis.

• Five per cent of the teachers had experienced homophobic abuse to themselves within a school year.

• Only half of teachers feel confident tackling homophobia.

The NUT said discrimination and prejudice was happening in colleges and secondary schools as well, but the primary survey was the first attempt to measure the problem.

The borough's NUT was spurred into action as it felt the problem was not dealt with as strongly as racism. The Lancashire NUT, covering Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, was not involved and has no plans to carry out similar action.

NUT national executive member and divisional secretary Simon Jones said he was concerned by the findings which suggested 'homophobia still has a grip in our schools'.

He said: “Despite the disturbing insight into the ‘endemic’ discrimination and the abuse described by teachers, there is also a most encouraging message which is overwhelming demand by those teachers for professional advice.

“The great news is the clear message from our members that they wish to more effectively challenge this discrimination and abuse of their students and colleagues.

“We hope people are listening and prepared to help us get that job done. That’s our commitment and promise but we cannot do it alone."

Former headteacher Paul Hogan, assistant secretary of Blackburn with Darwen NUT, said: “There is some evidence of malicious use of language, but a lot of it they don’t know what they are saying.

“Teachers don’t know how to deal with it. Racism is dealt with more robustly than homophobia.”

Myrtle Finley, youth work co-ordinator for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth North West, said the survey showed homophobia started from a young age.

She said: "Whilst some young children might not understand the impact of the words or know what they mean, it is still present."

Coun Paul Browne, Sudell ward councillor, said: “I think around 50 per cent will know what they are saying and the rest won’t. I think we need to sit down with them and talk it all through.”

Coun Maureen Bateson, former children services executive member, said: "Some just copy what they have heard. It should be treated as unacceptable language and younger children need to understand the implication of what they are saying.”

Gladys Rhodes, strategic director of children’s services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the NUT's choice of topic was 'inspiring' and hoped the findings could be used to tackle the issue.