English teacher tells class that JKR is transphobic

[QpopTYUIop9]

Just that really.
I'm absolutely fuming.
30 kids now "hate" JKR apparently.
This is an abuse of influence surely, not to mention a worrying lack of critical thinking.
I've printed out the "transphobic" tweets so my Y7 child can make up their own mind. With a lot of ranting from me in the background .

It is an abuse of influence - most teachers know to be neutral. I would complain to the school.

I'd have to ask the teacher exactly what it is that Jo wrote they consider transphobic?

My goodness me. I'm not one to complain at the drop of a hat, but I'd definitely be complaining about that. Disgraceful.

Did the teacher say she is transphobic? Or that some people have accused her of being transphobic?

Interesting discussion to have, maybe not with year 7s and has to be phrased well!!

Believe me I'd love to (and still might) but my child is terrified of the fallout on them - they are all like sheep and now the whole class believes the narrative.

That's utterly disgusting.
Complain, definitely.

I'd be tempted to write to the school and cite the DfE guidelines.

What a wonderful opportunity for some close reading. Print off JKR's article, give it to the pupils and teacher and they can identify the transphobic statements and then debate whether they think it is correct to assert she's a transphobe.

Yes - the teacher said she is transphobic.
And added that they (the teacher) consequently no longer wears an item of Harry Potter merchandise. There was no nuance, no space for the opposing view, and ironically for an English teacher, they didn't explain their view by presenting examples from the text.

@QpopTYUIop9

Well then yes it’s irresponsible in inappropriate.
I would raise it with the head of department.

I'm torn. On the one hand, if you rung the school, the teacher would probably get a slapped wrist, because governing bodies do not usually like teachers pushing any political position at all, whatever it may be. If you call their work and get them into trouble, are you lowering yourself to the level of the no platformers? (I doubt they would get more than a slapped wrist though.) On the other hand, if you don't report it, this teacher will probably propagate their opinion to every class they come into contact with.

You need to complain. Ask your child's babe to be left out of it but complain. We just can't go forwards without calling out this stuff when we see it.

Babe? *Name

@Nellodee

I'm torn. On the one hand, if you rung the school, the teacher would probably get a slapped wrist, because governing bodies do not usually like teachers pushing any political position at all, whatever it may be. If you call their work and get them into trouble, are you lowering yourself to the level of the no platformers? (I doubt they would get more than a slapped wrist though.) On the other hand, if you don't report it, this teacher will probably propagate their opinion to every class they come into contact with.

Depends on how it's presented, though.

Demanding the teacher be disciplined - no. Expressing concern that such a one-sided, evidence-free opinion was presented in a class that should encourage critical thinking and asking for more balance - surely ok?

I would make a complaint and ask for the child's name to be kept out of it.

I'd be extremely pissed off if this happened in my DC's school. Incredibly unprofessional of the teacher, slanderous and based on nothing but conspiracies and sexism.

Ask for your child to be excused from the class on religious grounds.

I would make a complaint and ask for the child's name to be kept out of it.

This. Please do not less this slide.

Did the teacher use the word 'terf'? That would add a whole other layer to it.

Can you complain using an anonymous email account, and explain you are doing so because you don't want your child to face repercussions?

@Teentitansonloop

Can you complain using an anonymous email account, and explain you are doing so because you don't want your child to face repercussions?

Would the school pay any heed to an anonymous email account? It could be from anyone.

I agree something needs to be said, though.

I think you should raise it with the school.

Definitely complain. Best case scenario, the teacher will get a slap on the wrist, worst case they might defend the teacher as they agree.... Complaining may have the added benefit of forcing other members of staff to question their assumptions. There is no reason for the complaint to affect your dd. I often deal with complaints from parents; I would never discuss it with the child or let it affect my dealings with her.

Complain to the head but ask for your child’s name to be kept out of it.

It needs to be challenged. ‘Some people consider her to be transphobic’ is one thing ‘she is and you should hate her’ is quite another. It’s unacceptable and not factual so needs calling out.