Script for pupils
Good morning Year 11
I want to talk to you about an important topic this morning, as senior pupils in the school, I
am speaking to you first, but will be having assemblies with all the other year groups this
morning after this.
Equal Opportunities lies at the heart of Cumberland school, it is reflected every day in how
we organise our school and how we treat one another. Most of the time we take this for
granted.
Today we have a further opportunity to show our commitment to equal opportunities not
as a phrase on a piece of paper or in a school policy but as a real life situation in our school.
Most of you will know Ms Jones in the PE department because she spends a huge amount
of time organising your interform events and the Sports captains. She is an enthusiastic and
valued member of our staff. We have been given the opportunity to support her in a life
changing event. As someone who has lived with gender dysphoria from a very young age,
she is taking the decision to transition to her true gender identity. I am sure many if not
most of you don’t know what gender dysphoria is. Put very simply it is when the gender of a
person, male or female, boy or girl, that you see from the outside – (clothes they wear, hair,
tone of voice, facial hair,) does not match what they feel on the inside. People with gender
dysphoria identify themselves as a different gender to how you see them. So in this case Ms
Jones sees herself as male not female. So Ms Jones is going through gender transition to
right this wrong and will therefore now be referred to as Mr Jones and he not she.
I can understand that this might come as a surprise to some of you, and might be difficult to
understand and get your head round at first. It might make you feel confused. However in
terms of his role in school he is exactly the same teacher today as he was yesterday. You
will simply use a different pronoun to refer to him. People choosing to change gender is
unusual, but it has been a very difficult decision him, and I know that we would want as a
community to support him in this decision.
Things that are ok:
- Going to find out more about this topic on the internet: the site GIRES.org.uk is a
really informative site.
- Using the correct pronoun and name Mr Jones, but knowing that this might prove
tricky to remember at first.
- Ensuring that you treat Mr Jones in the same way as you did before.
- Engaging with the topic of gender transition in the future where it comes up as a
relevant part of our curriculum in RS, Sociology, or A2A days for example
- Speaking to other pupils who you hear making inappropriate comments or telling a
teacher about it so it can be stopped
- Feeling confused and unsure about what you’ve heard as long as you speak to
someone about it. You can see that Kid’s Company are here with us this morning and
will be happy to chat to you individually
Things that are not ok:
- Any behaviours which the school would deem to be bullying in nature, making a
negative comment about being transgender will be treated in the same way as
making a racist comment. You know that these comments are wrong. We expect you
not to do them.
- Writing or gossiping about this topic on social media: any instances of this will be
treated as very serious
- Asking Mr Jones or other teachers inappropriate and/or personal questions about Mr
Jones, as with all teachers their personal life is not your business
- Gossiping generally about this and treating the subject in an insulting or joking
manner
- Randomly raising it as a topic of conversation in lessons or registration or on the
corridors with your teachers when it has no relevance
What next?
- There will be an opportunity for you to see some further information about gender
dysphoria and gender transition with tutors in registration next week
- If you feel confused or upset by what you’ve heard then come and speak to one of
the Leadership team, your YC, Learning mentor or Kid’s Company so we can support
you
- We carry on with business as usual. You’re here to learn – it’s your final year –
nothing should get in the way of you focusing on your learning.
We should be proud that Cumberland School has the maturity and courage to show to
others what equal opportunities and inclusivity really mean. As our most senior pupils in
school, I am hopeful and confident that you will lead the way in terms of the sensitivity and
tolerance you model to other pupils around this matter.
By break time I will have spoken to each of the year groups about this. I think each of you
has a right to hear the message from me and I want it to be delivered in a consistent way
for all pupils. I am therefore asking you that you allow me to speak to each of the year
groups this morning without them hearing this topic as gossip from you.
Thank you for listening.