Research, involving interviews with 26 LGBTQI parents and 19 children, found that existing support often centred on issues around bullying, rather than efforts to improve inclusiveness.
The study, conducted by Nottingham Trent University and Goldsmiths, University of London, suggests that a number of simple changes could help LGBTQI parented families feel more comfortable within school communities.
This includes ensuring school forms do not specify mother and father, and putting up LGBTQI aware posters and images in schools to highlight the range of different family models.
Raising awareness of LGBTQI families in sex and relationship education is also highlighted as important in helping children and their families feel comfortable at school.
Another change called for was when children are asked to draw mothers or fathers day cards. Families surveyed said that children with same sex parents were only allowed to make one card or had to stay in at playtime if they wanted to make a second.
"None of these things is hard to address, and they all matter considerably to LGBTQI parented families," said Dr Anna Carlile, senior lecturer in the department of educational studies at Goldsmiths, University of London.
"Schools can make considerable inroads into this if they take it as seriously as, say, racism. Making the effort to be more inclusive will both support children with LGBTQI parents and provide a better education for all children."
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While only one child interviewed by researchers had been a victim of bullying due to their parents LGBTQI status, all reported hearing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic comments in school, with the word "gay" being used as an insult.
Professor Carrie Paechter, director of the Nottingham Centre for Children, Young People and Families at Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences, said: "There is an increasing number of LGBTQI parented families in the UK but schools are not always sure how they should react to having such a family in their community.
"School policies tend to focus more on LGBTQI students, and to mainly be concerned with bullying. Our research suggests that while LGBTQI parents and their children value such protection, they want more from schools than this."
The research has been published in the book LGBTQI Parented Families and Schools: Visibility, Representation, and Pride.
In Wales, statutory relationship and sexuality education comes into force in 2022 and will include a broad focus on sexuality, inclusive of LGBTQI.
