primary school - gender stereotyping

I was thinking the same Spam, it's like the Ben10 box gone horribly wrong.

My posts on here are all supportive of the OP. It's madness

I totally agree. All those things on the girls' list would be my worst nightmare. I don't like performing and I don't like touching other people. That is why I said "for those that like that sort of thing" and that it could be for boys and girls. It was an aside, I wasn't agreeing with the school's ideas!

Doh! Alistair Bryce-Clegg, not Bryce-Campbell.

My DDs both adore science, history, geology and literature...as well as theatre and costume. They would not want to strike a pose.

Sounds like they have read a few of Alistair Bryce Campbell's ideas about increasing children's engagement by offering a range of props and activities related to the children's interests and got it very, very wrong. (I think he used to be a bit dodgy, but has revised his views in his later work.)
I always try to do as much gender-neutral stuff as possible - minibeasts, transport, dinosaurs etc. I also do lots of forest school activities.
(I still had one of the boys laughing hysterically when I got my toolkit out to repair a scooter. Only 5 and it was already shocking for him to see a woman brandish a screwdriver.)

As the fat girl in school who mostly wanted to not be seen until she graduated, yes, it would have been hell claphands

Yes Petula and HELL for those girls who don't. As a child I well remember the horror that was "Let's have a fashion show/do a dance for the boys/ type games and the LAST thing girls need is this shite thrust into their education!

The strike a pose thing could be quite fun (for those who like that sort of thing) and totally gender neutral if done as a "photo booth" type activity with lots of silly dressing up hats and big sunglasses etc

I'd have gone in a fit of feminist rage and probably started ranting incoherently. It's ridiculous, are they are honestly saying it is all the girls want to do and the only way to engage with them is to pretend they are training to be glamor models? It's fucking insulting to your daughter is what it is.

DD would love to 'strike a pose' etc - I don't know where I've gone wrong! - but I would still complain.

As the mother of an 8yr old DD and a school governor I am truly appalled by such blatant, in your face but clearly unthinking sexism. The fact that no one challenged this idea before it ever got to the stage of being sent out to parents horrifies me. I second the idea of taking this up formally with the head and governing body with specific reference to their equality policy and I think using the racism examples to illustrate your point is an effective way of making the point very clearly. I would also ask them to illustrate their response with how boys and girls compare in attainment both in SATS and yearly assessments especially in maths and science. I think you have done very well to approach this in a civil manner it would make me furious. It also makes me want to cry that people in a position of trust and responsibility for young children peddle such sexist nonsense. Well done OP.

Ofsted would be a good source. Every school has an Equalities Policy and this is blindingly, stupidly and edly contrary to anything like an equalities policy.
Any school or teacher who thinks this is a good idea does not have a leg to stand on. It also is a poss disciplinary and/or capability issue.

Good luck OP.

Am almost speechless at this happening in 2014. I started school in the early sixties and nothing like this was going on in my school even then. I am horrified that we are regressing in the 21st century.

Yes, I was encouraged to play outside, climb trees, run around the neighbouring fields, make mud pies, play house, pretend to be a cowgirl, dress up as a knight, play with home made fairy wings etc.

Eh? As well as being sexist I am struggling how ANY infant child would be interested in hand massage (or anything to do with making an entrance or fashion shows) !! Weird!!

Oh dear God I would have a fit and if I thought this represented attitudes in the school I would seriously be questioning removing my children!

Also going to suggest the lettoysbetoys campaign.

Op let us know how you get on.

Ffs does nothing ever change. Agree with same boat let toys be toys resources are great.

My jaw dropped at this! Strike a pose??
I'm a teacher too - you know, it is absolutely inevitable some switched on kid will ask "why can't Ido climbing ropes" or similar. I'd LOVE to know how the teacher would respond to that.
"That's just for boys."
"You don't want to climb ropes like a boy, do you?"
Write to the governors. My head can't get round the idea of a Head thinking this is a good idea.

My DS would love to practise making an entrance! I suppose the topics could be vaguely OK IF they hadn't divvied the groups up along gender lines (especially if they were suggestions from the children) , but instead encouraged children to choose what they wanted to write about. I'm quite horrified though. Letter to governors, if Head doesn't understand what the problem is?

I never thought I'd say this but if you're not satisfied with the outcome I'd be on the phone to Ofsted.

This is shit. So depressing. Agree with pp who suggested comparing with racial discrimination and citing the 2011 equalities act. "Striking a pose" ffs. I'd really be struggling to maintain composure.

What does your dd think?

www.lettoysbetoys.org.uk/let-toys-be-toys-launches-resources-for-schools/

This might help you OP. It's by a campaign that tackles gender stereotyping for kids and has released some guidelines for schools, you could always send it to your DCs school.

FFS

Christ on a bike.

That is all.

Well done for making your voice heard OP. 'Striking a pose' - for the love of sanity. You have to keep reminding yourself that you're not actually in Mad Men and yes, this is 2014.

I work with under 4 year olds and I heard similar crap from both parents and staff ALL. THE. TIME.

'Oh dear, DS is rampaging around again' 'oh he's a boy, he should be like that!'
'DD loves her pink sparkly shit stuff' 'oh yes, typical girl!'

A disturbing number of people just do not see any problem whatsoever with this rubbish. Depressing and frustrating.