Imagine coming out to your entire work and to the children you teach in a virtual assembly. Well, Hayley Wood-Thompson (of The John Warner School in Hertfordshire) did – what a hero. Watch Hayley’s video below that was played to 1400 student during form registration this past week.
We caught up with Hayley to ask her why she decided to create this moving video for her students, here’s what she had to say:
“Last week as part of LGBTQ+ History Month I decided I would come out to my school community. I have worked at the school for 10 years, and although it wasn’t a secret from Colleagues I have never opened it up to the entire school community of pupils and parents.
We all have to our part in normalising same sex relationships. Teaching is a super power as we have the opportunity to shape the attitudes of our young people. Children cannot understand something they do not see so I wanted to be part of the change.
School for me was a very different experience as section 28 was still in place until I was in Year 9. LGBT was simply not spoken about. I want our students to have a better experience, to feel accepted, whoever they are and whoever they love.
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and I hope stepping forward has really helped the students who needed it most.”
What an incredibly brave thing to carry out in order to make a difference in young lives. Hayley speaks of how she didn’t have this same treatment as a student in school and wanted to make a positive change as a teacher now. Well Hayley, we truly thank you for making such an incredible and powerful video to educate your students during LGBTQ History Month.
Let us know your thoughts by commenting below,
Happy LGBTQ History Month,
Team Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
