“Pride in Education” Conference, June 2021

John Vincent went to some sessions of this terrific conference over the weekend of 11-13 June 2021, described as a “Global virtual conference on LGBTQ+ inclusion and celebration in all aspects of Education”. 

For a taste of the contents, the programme is still available. Below, John shares his thoughts on the conference.

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Here are notes of some of the sessions I went to.

Sue Sanders “LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Difficult Times”

Sue, the Chair of Schools OUT UK, focused on how important it is to usualise (her terms for including in everything – and getting away from the implications of “normalise”) LGBTQ+ lives, and the need to re-examine and combat patriarchy and to take on board intersectional issues. (See: http://www.schools-out.org.uk/)

Panel discussion on intersectionality: “Visibility for LGBTQ+ People of Colour”

In a really powerful and moving session, four teachers – Tashan Charles, Hiten, Denise Henry, and Vanessa-Ama Osei – talked about the importance of being visible in their schools and classrooms.

“Museums & Archives in the UK”

It was great that this area was included in the conference for the first time.

Norena Shopland (Draig Enfys) “Old News – Engaging Young People with Museums and Archives” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/NorenaShopland?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)

Aimee Taylor (London Metropolitan Archives) “Living History: How LGBTQ+ collections can be used in the classroom” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/aimeemtaylor?lang=en) 

Marina Spiteri (Museum of London) “Embedding London’s LGBT+ history into lesson planning” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/marinaspiteri2?lang=en)

Nick Collinson (English Heritage) and Katie Burke (student at Goldsmith’s) “Queer Tour of the Wernher Collection at Ranger's House” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/nickcollinson?lang=en and https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/lgbtq-history/researching-lgbtq-history/)

Izzy Bartley (Leeds Museums and Galleries) “Three approaches to building inclusive learning resources” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/fireflyheritage?lang=en)

Lois Nethersell-Webb (Hobart High School, Norfolk) “LGBT+ representation in the History classroom” (see, for example: https://twitter.com/loisnethersell?lang=en) 

“Reading Time”

This panel looked at books and stories for children and young people, and included:

Olly Pike (Pop'n'Olly) “Planning LGBT+ Inclusive Primary Lessons”, https://www.popnolly.com/

Faye Booth (Twinkl Educational Publishing) “Delivering an LGBT+ Inclusive RSHE Curriculum in Primary Schools”, https://www.twinkl.co.uk/

Dylan Calder (Pop Up Projects CIC) “Seeing and being seen in children's picture books”, https://pop-up.org.uk/

Robert Pearce (Petite Pantos) “Story Time with Mama G – inclusive stories for young audience”, https://www.petitepantos.com/mama-g

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This was the third “Pride in Education” Conference – The Network has been a community partner for the last two events.

Look out for the next Conference, which is going to be in the autumn.

Finally, if you would like to sign up for the “Pride in Education Newsletter” (for news , information and events on Educating Out Racism and LGBTI+ inclusion in Education), you can do so here.

John Vincent

john@nadder.org.uk