He steps into the light. Tiers of humanity swipe hardware into silent mode. Except one. He waits. With grudging compliance, she first swipes, then drops her phone between rows of plastic seats, ‘Bollocks’ The assembled crowd guffaws; the ripe expletive gifts him space to summon saliva to form words. Solidity of a microphone; clutched with […]
Read more "TedX: Talking with AnXiety"https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472961501/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_5pWgFbEVVX8QP RECOMMENDED BY LORD MICHAEL CASHMAN IN UK PARLIAMENT, APRIL 2019‘Essential and valuable reading for every teacher and school leader.’ Peter Tatchell ‘A huge stride towards genuine organisational change.’ Dr Joseph Hall ‘An outstanding book.’ Professor Jonathan Glazzard Celebrating Difference is an inspiring handbook for LGBT+ inclusion, aimed at all primary and secondary teachers and leaders. […]
Read more "“A stunning book.” Out now ‘Celebrating Difference-A Whole School Approach to LGBT+ Inclusion’ by Shaun Dellenty."For many around the world June is now firmly established as ‘Pride Month,’ but what happens in learning communties when the rainbow flags get folded away? Does an inclusive ethos endure, or is a ‘diversity box’ merely ticked? In 2009 whilst working as a London primary school leader, pupil survey data revealed we had a […]
Read more "Pride Month is over, but every month should be Pride Month"In 2020 Twin Peaks celebrates 30 years of alluring weirdness. Contemporary culture has for thirty years now been laced with aspects of Peaks iconography; from themed dining to music and concerts, clothing lines to art exhibitions. In London Twin Peaks is never far away, with the deliciously nightmarish Lynchian inspired ‘Double R Club’ regularly selling […]
Read more "Twin Peaks at 30"I qualified as a primary phase class-teacher in 1996 and by 2009 I was working as a London based Deputy Headteacher. Prior to 2009, I hid my LGBT+ identity at work on a ‘need to know’ basis. A double whammy of sustained homophobic bullying and being educated in the 1980s under the toxic shadow of […]
Read more "Coming Out Day-Coming Out as a Gay Primary School Leader? Ain’t That a Private Thing?!"I moved to London in 2000, a naive country boy fleeing the final act of a twelve year relationship, in the hope of establishing fresh roots and a new way of being. After a number of failed attempts to ground myself socially, I was reverentially advised by a handsome Soho stranger (being new to the […]
Read more "Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy finds his home at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern"