I opened the can...

[AsTreesWalking]

...worms exited.
Yesterday morning I shared a quiz with some students. There was a question that quoted thus: 'I'm not going down that rabbit hole', and, 'it depends on the context' - what was it that these MPs would not define? My students could not think what it could be. So I told them 'A Woman'. They were most surprised. Then they realised and did a spectacular volte face. I pointed out their cognitive dissonance. I told them why I have a problem with self id, and about rapes in prisons.
They went to another member of staff, and today I was summoned to a member of SLT and told that they had said I was transphobic, and had upset them.
I have had to type up 'my version' of the conversation. How I wish I'd just skipped that question! I'm now afraid that my form will all decide that I am a dreadful person.
Why does wrong think on this topic trump all other evidence of a person's good will?
I refuse to lie to my students. I stand by what i said, It was all true. But I'm feeling afraid, and still shaking.

Thank you and well done OP.
I wish more would speak up.
You are brave & have integrity.
I applaud you 👏👏👏

@RoyalCorgi

Don't forget that your beliefs are protected in law, OP. You might want to remind them of the judgement in the Forstater EAT.

We have the right to hold beliefs. We do not have the right to preach beliefs to students under our care.

That same judgement specifically stated the right to hold those beliefs does not allow you to act on them in any way you see fit, breaching existing laws such as harassment, or in this case, classroom impartiality.

@AsTreesWalking

It was in form time with 6th form. I didn't write the quiz, it gets sent out. I nearly skipped it, then decided to see what they made of it. I didn't 'lecture' them. I went over to a small group and explained why I think self id is dangerous for women. With facts.

🙏

@AsTreesWalking I think I'd want to be very clear with the SLT what exactly it was that was supposed to be "transphobic" and why. Otherwise you don't know what you're being accused of, or what exactly the students were upset by.

@Artichokeleaves

I am quite enjoying that those lining up to remind you of the duty of impartiality would be the ones arguing that it's excellent for Stonewall et al to be in schools.

I am all for impartiality and politics staying out of school. But currently they are not, are they? Which means if women play the game and stick to the rules they're being really rather stupid and doormats to others who won't follow the rules unless absolutely forced to.

Either everyone does the impartiality thing or no one does. No more double standards.

Abso-fucking-lutely

Completely hypocritical

Thank you. We need more teachers like you

I am all for impartiality and politics staying out of school.

This makes no sense. You can’t have both at the same time.
Impartiality is having politics in schools but present all sides of the issue and never favouring the side that corresponds with your own beliefs or opinions.

Politics staying out of schools, is completely different and you can’t teach a forbidden subject all all, never mind impartially.

It was in form time with 6th form. I didn't write the quiz, it gets sent out."

As a teacher I was going to moan at you that you shouldn't push personal views on kids but that is utterly reasonable.

Given you didn't write the quiz but just discussed when they asked, you will be fine (though do make sure the union, not merely the school rep, are involved).

Well done OP.

As a teacher your job is to be impartial, you did not do this.

Not quite. We certainly can't push views on kids but what you can discuss depends on age and we (especially form tutors) are supposed to get students to think about the topics of the day.

It's perfectly reasonable to discuss a topic like this with 6th form. I do, however think it has to be discussed carefully without pushing one view as correct.

I’m not sure you’ll get much help from your union … mine is very strongly in the TWAW camp.

You have to keep your opinions to yourself and be as neutral as possible. Your job is to teach not brainwash, open and non bias thinking only in the classroom. It’s up to students to make their own minds up.

I’m not sure you’ll get much help from your union … mine is very strongly in the TWAW camp.

Doesn't matter, the caseworkers job is to defend the employee. They are not elected or political posts.

Whilst it is tempting with older students to share your personal views you must not. And really you must know that.

I think the posters saying well done are because they agree with your stance. But the issue isn't the topic - it's sharing your views. As a teacher you know you are in a position of influence. Far better to facilitate a discussion based on the quiz but not share your own views.

You clearly are upset and I am sorry for this. I think if I were you I would accept responsibility for sharing a personal view, but push back on being transphobic. I am sure that is a very upsetting thing to be accused - I hope you are ok

@donquixotedelamancha

As a teacher your job is to be impartial, you did not do this.

Not quite. We certainly can't push views on kids but what you can discuss depends on age and we (especially form tutors) are supposed to get students to think about the topics of the day.

It's perfectly reasonable to discuss a topic like this with 6th form. I do, however think it has to be discussed carefully without pushing one view as correct.

By presenting your own view you are presenting this as the correct view, whether your intention or not.

It's reasonable to discuss it with sixth formers (and younger students) but your error was expressing your own views. We have to remain neutral. Had you presented it as "Some people think...." you'd be OK.

@donquixotedelamancha

As a teacher your job is to be impartial, you did not do this.

Not quite. We certainly can't push views on kids but what you can discuss depends on age and we (especially form tutors) are supposed to get students to think about the topics of the day.

It's perfectly reasonable to discuss a topic like this with 6th form. I do, however think it has to be discussed carefully without pushing one view as correct.

Impartiality has nothing to with what can and cannot be discussed due to age appropriateness. I have no qualms about this topic being discussed in a 6th form. So not sure what you mean?

As for the OP, she certainly was not impartial as she did push her view as the correct view on a group of students:

“I went over to a small group and explained why I think self id is dangerous for women. With facts.”

“I told them why I have a problem with self id, and about rapes in prisons.”

Surely it is a teacher’s job to teach facts, not opinions or ideology?
Everything OP stated in her post was factual and on record. There are intact transwomen with male genitals in women’s prisons, who have indeed sexually assaulted female inmates. That is not OP’s “belief”, it is objective truth.
I wish more teachers had your courage to speak truth, OP. Don’t be intimidated into silence.

@Babdoc

Surely it is a teacher’s job to teach facts, not opinions or ideology? Everything OP stated in her post was factual and on record. There are intact transwomen with male genitals in women’s prisons, who have indeed sexually assaulted female inmates. That is not OP’s “belief”, it is objective truth. I wish more teachers had your courage to speak truth, OP. Don’t be intimidated into silence.

It's fine to outline this has been a consequence of self ID. But she explained she personally has an issue with self ID. That's the problem.

Impartiality has nothing to with what can and cannot be discussed due to age appropriateness. I have no qualms about this topic being discussed in a 6th form. So not sure what you mean?

What I mean is that your views colour what you say. The TRA idiot teachers who tell kids TWAW think they are being impartial.

I think on some topics it's actually better to disclose your personal views, as long as you can recognise why others might, quite validly, disagree and the kids are old enough to understand the nuance.

As for the OP, she certainly was not impartial as she did push her view as the correct view on a group of students

I assumed she didn't put things in that blunt way and was just being brief. Obviously if she really did just walk up with 'I disagree because...' then that's wrong for the reasons you say.

You didn’t handle it in the way you should have, sorry. I’m a teacher. TWAW isn’t my area of soap boxing, but I’m a Leftie and have often discussed things that I think the government have done wrong/are handling wrong with my secondary aged students. I’m always very careful to make clear this is my opinion and not fact though. That was your error. It’s galling to have to add a disclaimer to something that you believe wholeheartedly is true, but in the job you need to accept where the political landmines are and navigate them appropriately. You’ve been naive.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools

Read this. I think you’re fine.

@AsTreesWalking

It was in form time with 6th form. I didn't write the quiz, it gets sent out. I nearly skipped it, then decided to see what they made of it. I didn't 'lecture' them. I went over to a small group and explained why I think self id is dangerous for women. With facts.

The second thing you did was ill advised.

I'm sure many in your class will one day think back and remember your words, especially when they, or their friend or family members have an unpleasant experience.

You're not a 'dreadful person' and I hope all turns out well for you. I wouldn't be surprised if many agreed with you, but there's this pressure to conform.

Then you have to put up with the worms and all they bring.but my question is why do you think it’s up to you to deliver your own opinions to a school class?

Biology isn’t an opinion. It’s a fact.