GDST Gender Awareness Day at Sheffield Girls’

On Tuesday 2 May Sheffield Girls’ welcomed pupils and teachers from GDST schools in the North of England to a training day aimed at raising awareness in pupils and staff of issues facing trans-gender people in our society.

The day was organised by Mrs Heaton – Head of PHSE and Year 7/8 Pastoral Leader. The delegates listened to Finn, a young trans person from the group Gendered Intelligence talk about their experiences. They were then engaged interactively in workshops, scenario discussions and finally a plenary session about resources, opportunities and how to best share their knowledge with the school and wider community.

Sheffield Girls’ was pleased to pioneer such a day, as one of the school’s aims is to educate girls to be open–minded and contribute positively to their communities. Wellbeing, Citizenship and Contribution to the society in which we live are integral to all activities at Sheffield Girls.

These are addressed through a though provoking and meticulously planned and continually refined PHSE programme, through the school’s numerous Outreach projects within the City and also the ten core values of  Courage, Positivity, Creativity, Loyalty, Co-operation, Respect, Kindness, Resilience and Integrity, which run through the heart of the school.

Feedback from some of the school’s PHSE committee members and Peer Educators reflected on the good practice shared on Tuesday:

‘Today was a huge eye opener to persisting issues regarding gender and sexuality. We learned about personal experiences from Finn which gave us a deeper perspective into being a trans person in 2017; we as a group and as individuals feel inspired by Finn's confidence and the kind way in which they addressed issues.’

PHSE Committee

‘I found the day extremely interesting and eye opening as it has given me a whole new perspective on the concepts of gender and different gender identities... I am very excited to act as an ambassador with the Peer Educators to stop prejudice and stereotypes.’

Peer Educator / Deputy Head Girl, Teresa Snook