On Wednesday the 28th April at 7.30pm start we were delighted to welcome Claire Birkenshaw. Claire taught in secondary schools during her 26-year teaching career culminating in the role of principal at an Alternative Provision Academy where she has gained deep knowledge of working with young people particularly those that are marginalised.
Claire spent much of her childhood with her grandparents Florence and Arthur. Florence from North Manchester allowed Claire to express herself at a very young again and she dressed in her Grandma’s dresses as young as 7 but this was never discussed within the family. She skipped days at school so Claire “could exist at home” – but never felt able to tell her parents.
Her Grandad was from a South Yorkshire mining town where he was a miner from the age of 14. It was a brutal job but her Grandad was always disappointed that her was not tall enough like his brother. He was a stoic man who found it difficult to accept change and music such as new romantics, David Bowie and Marc Bolan. Claire told us an “internalised shame” grew when she saw her Grandad visibly angry.
In 2015, Claire made history by becoming the first transgender headteacher to transition in post, in the UK, while working at a school in Hull. She will speak about her childhood, people’s acceptance, her transitioning journey and her amazing career. She walked into the classroom for the first time as a woman and straight away one child said ‘Hi Miss’. Both children and their parents were totally accepting although one parent assumed it was Claire’s husband that she has taken over from.
In September 2018 she was appointed as lecturer in Childhood Studies and Education at Leeds Beckett University. Now she lectures on a range of subjects in relation to childhood which includes sociology, philosophy, visual and literary perspectives and health and wellbeing.
She is a member of two advisory panels for Leeds Beckett University that relate to child mental health and LGBTQ+ inclusion in education. Claire is a recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Civic Crown Award (2020) for promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity.
If you missed the talk you may be interested to hear this talk –
What did our members think?
Sending love Claire…everybody needs to be themselves and be honest… so good to meet you
:Thank you Claire, that was really interesting and heartfelt. You are inspiring, and what a great teacher you are.
Thank you Claire for sharing your story and I hope you continue to spread your story and help other that may be struggling.
Thankyou Claire, amazing talk and you gave us an insight into your journey through life, well done and just keep being you
Thank you Claire for a fascinating and insightful talk.
Thank you Wendy and Alia for organising this wonderful talk but most of all thank you Claire for your insightful, heartfelt and honest way in which you have shared your story. You have so much to offer and I can well appreciate how your students feel privileged to have your input into their learning. Your inspirational!
Thank you so much for a truly interesting and enlightening evening Claire and thanks also to Alia & wendy for once again finding an inspirational speaker
Go girl go! What a teacher!
