primary school - gender stereotyping

In fact, that's a way to maybe get other parents moving- suggest all those who object get taken to an offsite activity- hire a gymnastics hall, or go to a climbing wall, pottery class etc. In school time such things are much cheaper.

I's be withdrawing my child from the activity, taking her somewhere to do any activity she wanted to, and write about that. I'd want it recorded as "offsite" learning, and I'd also be writing to the LEA, cc ofsted and the headmaster (and maybe an MP and the education secretary for the cost of a stamp;) )
explaining exactly why my child wasn't attending that session.

And, yes, possibly even considering another school. If that is how they see girls, in year 6 will the boys all be academically successful while the girls look pretty?

That really is dreadful. I would have gone mad too. Stick to your guns and make a big fuss. It's absolutely not acceptable.

That's just appalling. I think I would be wanting to find a different school.

Of course it doesn't matter if the children cost them. I'm just saying it will be a slightly different complaint, in fact the one you've just outlined buffy.

I am truly shocked by that pinguina. And shocked that no-one at the school appears to view it as an issue. The disparity between the two sets of activities is so huge.

I also don't think it matters whether the children thought up the topics themselves the teachers can still steer i.e. say 'striking a pose' is not an activity!

Men do, women adorn. The objectification of women and girls beginning so early and validated by an authoritative institution i.e. the school.

Well done for complaining. Might be worth pointing out that the phrase "Bend it like Beckham" refers to a film about a girls football team.

At our 3 form state school there are at least 5 girls in reception who seriously hate girl stuff and dress like boys and love boy stuff as they call it. What messages does this send ????

Wow - yes, do complain. I would be furious.

If the topics were child generated then I would still think it should be the choice for each child to chose what they do rather than a boy/girl split. I do also think that teaching staff should have been more careful to steer choices if it was child led though. I'm really shocked that "how to make an entrance and strike a pose" was considered acceptable.

Pink stinks might be interested in this, or could help you formulate an argument as to how damaging it is.

I would go berserk over this. The subtle stuff is bad enough. My DD took a Spider-Man ballon into reception the other day and her teacher told the other kids it must be her brothers ballon. I was fuming but let it lie. I would be putting in a serious complaint about this. My DD would be really upset

Oh God, had I been one of the little girls at the school I would have been so upset by this. I would have hated the girls' topics and thought the boys' topics didn't involve enough mud.

I would be horrified if my dd were taught that "striking a pose" or "making an entrance" even existed as a thing.

I would want to know what my dcs were being taught about equality and the importance of looks.

Just horrible.

Oh wow, that is awful. I gave feedback to my DC school on my disappointment they felt the need to gender stereotype with pink name badges for girls, and blue name badges for boys. This, I would be marching down to the head's office for a word.

This kind of crap is damaging to both boys and girls. There are so many things already trying to divide and pigeon hole my children into assigned gender roles (looking at you clarks shoes) that it is really important schools remain all-inclusive and gender neutral.

When the teacher calls you ask who came up with the topic ideas in the first place. If the topics are child initiated/led you've got a slightly more difficult complaint on your hands vs the teachers themselves coming up with the topic themes.

Well done you complaining. Just absurd (and hugely depressing) that this is regarded as appropriate by anyone in this day and age.

that's awful!

But surely that's fine - girls have to know how to look good and pamper themselves if they want to fit in and let's be honest it's never to early to make sure they know they have to be pretty. The boys meanwhile need a bit of sport and engineering for their active bodies and minds. Sounds like the teacher has managed to address all of this and tie in some literacy too! What's not to like?

That is really crap. I'd complain.

I clicked on this thinking it would be about some sort of subtle distinction (e.g. is low level disruption tolerated more from boys than from girls?) as that's the kind of question that's been occupying me lately. I can't believe that schools are still stereotyping in the way you describe! What did the head say?

They can't seriously have thought that was acceptable, can they? It's just... I mean... you can't... words fail me. I am gobsmacked.

If that's what they are doing overtly, and being proud enough of doing to put in the newsletter, then what the HECK are they doing subtly and without thinking?