
Miss Bates updates us with the latest news from the equalities team.
So far this academic year we have appointed a new Lead Co-ordinator on Equalities and Diversity – Miss Adele Bates. Miss Bates is one of our English teachers and has been working alongside the new Equalities and Diversity Senior Students – Alice Bradley and Ali Bamuzahim.
With the input of students Miss Bates led a training session at Brighton University on LGBT Awareness for trainee teachers in Secondary School which included:
- how to support LGBT students;
- authenticity verses professional conduct as an LGBT teacher;
- Ofsted requirements and British Values;
- safeguarding;
- promoting school awareness;
- tackling prejudice with staff and students.
Thanks to the real case studies and student advice the trainees learnt a lot to help them in their forthcoming careers.
I can be more upfront and direct about LGBT issues than I thought - it’s OK not to know and ask questions.
You provided a wealth of resources for us, including contemporary legal frameworks that are very helpful.
Affirmed the importance of using sensitive and inclusive language in the classroom.
International Day of Disability Awareness
In line with this international day we shared an assembly in which we considered the question: What language do we use when speaking about people with disabilities people in our community?
We examined the etymology of words that are often used nowadays as insults, and thought about how we want language to be used at Varndean School.
Starting in 2017 there will be a new drop-in space on Wednesday lunchtimes in the Eco Building for LGBT+ students who want a space to socialise together.
Final training session with @TheCfEY before we start our listening to identify what #MentalHealth priorities we should focus on. Looking forward to working with @BHASVIC @varndean @VarndeanSchool @HpsHove @BACA_UK @BlatchMill @MyOneChurch @SussexUni @SussexCampaigns on this!
It's our favourite time of the week...#HotChocFri! A massive well done to this week's nominees Louis (7MWE), Reece (7DBE), Maggie (7JBA), Isaac (8SXD), Ashley (10NJR), Ben (9CMC), Cameron (11EVA), Martha (8HEM) and Jav-El (7KCO). Keep up the amazing work #TeamVarndean https://t.co/Vebhs9OT0U
We had wonderful feedback from students after watching our virtual staff performance of "The Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds" by @neilhimself! Thank you to Mr Owen, Mr Rayment, Mr Trott, Mrs Turner, Mr Roberts and Mr Katz for taking part! @VarndeanBooks https://t.co/uphmQ1iXdI
We are recruiting! Our wonderful English Department are looking for a new full-time English Teacher to join #TeamVarndean. For all the information and how to apply, please click the link below: #teachingvacancyuk @MccreaEmma https://t.co/rGY6xd5XtD
For #WorldBookDay , our students took part in our annual #BookJacketPotatoCompetition in which students dress jacket potatoes as book characters! See some of our best potatoes below, including "Albus Dauphinoise", "Spuder-Man" and "Murder Most Un-Spudulike": @VarndeanBooks https://t.co/5UH29LdIHG