What I Did and Why I Did It
- I have surveyed the P7 classes as part of our work on LGBT inclusion. Some of the data gathered is pertinent to gender equality. The reason for doing this was to gain opinions of pupils at the top end of the school in relation to their experiences.
- I had a discussion with our New Arrivals Ambassadors, a pupil group focused on befriending and supporting new pupils, about gender. They are a highly motivated group of pupils who seek to bring about positive change in the school community. I surveyed them because they represent a cross-section of year groups.
- I interviewed pupils in P2 about their approaches to gender stereotypes. This tied in with our work on LGBT inclusion, our Purple Friday celebrations and the pupils’ Health and Wellbeing work.
- I have surveyed parents about gender equality in early childhood and I have surveyed teaching staff about their approaches to gender in the classroom. I felt that it was important to have qualitative data that represented the views of all stakeholders. The questions for teachers were built from IGBE Scotland’s document about gender stereotypes – the reflective questions for practitioners were so, so helpful.
- I have updated the school’s uniform policy to ensure it is inclusive of all forms of gender expression. Fortunately it did not split the uniform into ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ garments anyway but it is now explicitly stated that children may wear what they wish regardless of gender.
What changed and Why?
- My initial plan was to explore football in the playground and the lack of female representation there. Due to the school closures this was no longer possible, but i was able to survey parents and teachers instead which, to be honest, has probably been better as it has provided me with more to think about, although i do feel like I have gone down a ‘rabbit hole’! In terms of policy, there is a plethora of research and paperwork from the Scottish Government which has very clear aims but which has a long, log way to go before it is embedded practice.
Hi Louise
I usually post in the 3D group, but I’m taking the opportunity to look at all the *’s today!
Your enquiry and work on gender stereotypes is fascinating and so important in starting to create the changes we wish to see in the world. I sense some frustrations, but I expect that is an unavoidable part of the process as attitudes can take time to shift. In the current crisis, it’s great that you’ve found a way to continue and as we consider how we return to school, these conversations will continue to be really important! Inspiring stuff, thank you!
Hi Louise,
Great to see you are still keeping up! I absolutely love that you have updated the school uniform policy to be inclusive of gender. I was having some very interesting conversations with my P6s before the closures about gender and the stereotypes. Something I really want to look into next year so will definitely be reading those documents!
I have also found it really hard to get meaningful “data” or even stick properly to my enquiry!
Hope you are well and keeping safe 😀