Jacob Thorpe

Queer history teacher. Inclusion advocate. Trans ally. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Today my thoughts are with all my wonderful former colleagues and students at @CroydonHigh. It’s an exceptional school with kindness at its core. A wonderful legacy for Emma. Be there for each other guys. I love and miss you all.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

I know I’ve done a lot of really good things since I’ve become a teacher. I’ve helped a lot of kids. It’s all because Emma Pattison have me a job when my confidence was at its lowest. She has impacted many people and losing her is devastating.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Emma Pattison gave me my first teaching job. At @CroydonHigh she created a work environment that felt so safe and encouraging. She was an exceptional leader. She supported me as a became the teacher I am proud to be today. I am endlessly grateful.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

In the Covid lockdown she held weekly well-being meetings with staff to check we were okay and to ensure we were supported. She helped with my application and interview prep for my current job which completely changed my life.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

@StJuliansSPrin @StJuliansLisbon What an incredible moment! 😍

[Dan Norbury | Sec Principal at St Julian's School @StJuliansSPrin]

We were honoured to welcome Cristina Roldão to St. Julian’s today as part of our #BHM activities. Y10 and Y13 students were captivated by her talk on black history and Portugal. Students asked some very perceptive questions. We hope to have Cristina back soon!

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Tweeted about a lecture I did on the lasting impact of the AIDS pandemic a couple of weeks ago and that fact that the enduring stigma around it continues to result in dangerous misinformation that endangers public health. Exhibit A:

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Being LGBTQ+ and working in education can be really hard. The scrutiny one is under for simply existing as themselves was such an evident part of the experience of these 4 teachers. Their perseverance, even when hope seems illusive, was inspiring. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Yesterday I attended the @NEUnion’s annual LGBT+ Educators Conference. We heard from individuals in Hungary, Jamaica, Poland and Russia who are fighting to support LGBTQ+ young people in the most challenging of circumstances.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

More heartbreaking still was that, in many of these places, there was little indication that things were going to get better. Some individuals were considering, or had considered, whether continuing their advocacy in their home country would be possible for much longer.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

I explained to my students that the erasure of queer identities in schools until 2003 had a profound impact on the education their teachers received, and as a result on the education that they receive now, in 2021. This history of AIDS is still very much ongoing.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Earlier this week I gave this lecture to some Year 13 students at my school. Education around AIDS is something I’m incredibly passionate about and has been my focus as an historian for the past year. My Year 13s engaged so wonderfully and thoughtfully, it was a little emotional.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

The lecture focussed on the impact of AIDS on gay and trans people in the ‘80s and ‘90s but also the impact on education in the UK.

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Just so we’re clear…

nO OnE iS ArGuInG tHaT GeNdEr IdEnTiTy ShOuLd RePlAcE SeX!!!

Sex is as important for many trans people as gender identity. If it weren’t there’d be no need for HRT or gender affirming surgeries and gender dysphoria would not exist.

[J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling]

None of these women are protected in the way I am. They and their families have been put into a state of fear and distress for no other reason than that they refuse to uncritically accept that the socio-political concept of gender identity should replace that of sex. 6/8

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Sorry, I should say, “the award winning @DwightSchoolUK”. Congrats on the award for excellence and innovation in DEI. I concur. Particular congrats to @AldainePase. Looking forward to working with y’all again!

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

Omg how exciting it was to talk to @DwightSchoolUK. I delivered some training on supporting a socially just education for LGBTQ+ students. So inspiring to talk to a school that is prioritising Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in this way! Slay!

[Jacob Thorpe @thisismrthorpe]

@LewishamCouncil @Forest_HillSch A fabulous achievement. Congratulations!