How to be an equality champion with Claire Birkenshaw – PP193

It was great to speak to Claire Birkenshaw this week. Claire is a former headteacher and has also done a huge amount for LGBTQ rights. Whilst in post as the headteacher of an alternative provision academy, Claire became (as far as she knows) the fist serving head to go through a transition. Subsequently, Claire decided to change her career to working to promote trans awareness and LGBTQ rights. What were some of the ups and downs of being a headteacher? Claire says that if you haven’t been a headteacher you can’t understand the complexity of the role – everything comes to you. “It’s very much like being the conductor of an incredibly complex orchestra.” There is also the daily pressure of anticipating the Ofsted phone call and prioritising all the myriad of needs of the children. Amongst the high points, though, were all the times young people demonstrate any kind of achievement. Claire singles out encouraging attendance, wanting to have a conversation with you and reading as some of the highlights of alternative provision work. How do you build community in a challenging environment like alternative provision? Claire believes that it has to begin as soon as the young people arrive: * Meet and greet * Smile * Know everyone’s name * Get into a conversation as soon as you can * Be interested in their lives outside school * Be good at deep, authentic listening All this helps you to build the relationship with the children. How tough is it now for our trans youth? Claire says the picture is varied. It depends on factors like whether a young trans person is accepted by their family and how inclusive their school and local community is. One thing Claire finds disturbing is the people who claim that parents who support their children in exploration of their identity are committing child abuse. There are other countries int he world which are a little more progressive around the basic concept of whether trans people should exist and how young trans people are supported. How can educational establishments support LGBTQ pupils? Claire points out that schools have a duty under the Equalities Act to: * Promote understanding * Tackle prejudice * Foster good relations Sexual orientation and gender re-assignment are two of the 9 Protected Characteristics so Claire believes that schools should be reviewing their policies and their CPD every year and identify opportunities to highlight and promote those characteristics. Schools should consider taking part in National Coming Out Day, National Day of Trans Visibility, Trans Day of Remembrance or LGBTQ History Month as well as looking at the school environment. Simple signs like a Pride flag on the headteacher’s door or in a prominent position make a big difference. “What happens in school shapes how they think society views them.” Claire also discusses the area in much more depth so do listen to the whole episode. Claire on Twitter