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Original poster

Stonewall Champion School - HT asks 'what safeguarding concerns?

80 replies

HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 11:42

So my son's Stonewall Champion school has replied to me after I raised concerns about Stonewall. He said he'd look into it and came back to me asap (possibly after a quick Google)

HT says it is proud to be an inclusive school and then sent me several negative news stories around TransgenderTrend (after I suggested these as an alternative)

Next steps? Lisa Muggeridge, I need you!

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MaverickSnoopy · 05/10/2018 15:59

Not to do with the trans debate at all, but I recently approached the HT at my DDs school after they did something that many parents didn't agree with. When I attended some safeguarding training I discussed it at length with the trainer who urged me to persist with the school and said that they were in the wrong. HT was very defensive and refused to believe that I was right. I discussed with teacher friends and a family member who is a Deputy HT at another school and everyone said I should take it to the governors. It was just before the summer holidays and I knew I'd be waiting all summer for a reply and am now heavily pregnant - I knew I didn't have the mental capacity for it and it would have broken me. In the end I took a different route.

I'm making two points. 1) some HTs can be ferociously protective in what they believe and can be very blinkered in alternatives (but then that's the whole trans debate) and 2) that this may be something that you need to take up with the governors.

I applaud you. I want to take this on myself but it would break me - I'm too sensitive and due to give birth any day now. I try to do my bit by spreading the word which is hard enough when you are often met with contempt.

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 15:34

Thanks. I'd rather be the bad guy than one child be harmed by this.

Imagine if people had spoken out about Savile, Challenor, but many didn't or couldn't because of fear.

We must be bold. This is not about me. Posie keeps me going, when I think of the very public platform she is on.

Courage does in indeed call to courage.

I need to watch some Partridge for some light relief.

Thank you Flowers

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VickyEadie · 05/10/2018 15:28

I might be casually mentioning that the first safeguarding fail resulting from this will end his career.

Because it will.

silentcrow · 05/10/2018 15:28

Hands Flowers try and take some time off this weekend if you can. Putting all that together whilst not screaming blue murder is really hard (and I may be asking for a copy at some point!).

I just keep coming back to "test everything you read against your safeguarding training".

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 15:22

He's just sent a holding email to say that clearly there's a lot to digest and that he will get back to me.

Hoping critical thinking comes into play. I'll be worrying about this all weekend now!

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Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 15:16

I think it is going to blow his mind. I maybe said too.much? But like Moyet, my card is already marked so may as well be hung for a sheep.

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Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 15:14

Let me know how you get on. I have just sent a three page letter to school (it could have been double that)

Bear in mind he may know nothing of the debate and assume it's bigotry. Imagine receiving links to recent Times and Spectator pieces.

I also referenced a previous Lisa Muggeridge letter (nspcc) that talked of Bradley and Challenors' influence in Govt and Stonewall

I also linked a Gendered Intelligence Guide and pointed out that advising recently transed girls to "wear tight Tshirts if they have the figure for it" is regressive.

I linked to the PP highlighting concerns with current Stonewall advice packs.

It sounds like he's not moveable.
It sounds like a conspiracy theory as this is too batshit to be real (he hasn't even heard the half of it)

I'm going to be burned at the stake aren't I? Never to show my face at the school show ever again.

Please reassure me I was right to go ahead and that my poor son won't be ostracised for it?

This is what TRAs reduce us to: pariahs.

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MsJeminaPuddleduck · 05/10/2018 13:48

I've just found out that my children's school is a Stonewall Champion and the Equalities policy at a glance has similar issues - the odd focus on intersex (presented almost as a 3rd 'sex') jumped out. Thanks for all the advice above - I'll use it to draft a letter to the head next wk.

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 13:37

This article was also published in The Spectator today
www.spectator.co.uk/2018/10/dont-tell-the-parents-official-guidance-to-teachers-of-trans-children/

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bzzbeebzz · 05/10/2018 13:08

Without using gender stereotypes

bzzbeebzz · 05/10/2018 13:07

Ask if they accept girls who identify as boys.

Then ask what it actually means for a girl to identify as a boy.

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 13:07

Thank you all!

I plan to create a robust email as I am deeply disappointed by his quick response and unmovable position.

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R0wantrees · 05/10/2018 12:57

apologies, link failed:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3384961-child-in-my-class-is-trans

R0wantrees · 05/10/2018 12:56

Guardian article identifies differences between the Allsorts / Mermaids / Stonewall (?) affirmative approach and Transgender Trend's toolkit

www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/15/transgender-row-teachers-afraid-challenge-breast-binding

See also recent thread which has links to Dr Polly Carmichael (NHS GIDs) and Claire Graham's talks which are worth listening to.
They raise specific and important points that senior leadership should be open to listening to and considering.

NotZenEnough · 05/10/2018 12:53

Marking thread

deepwatersolo · 05/10/2018 12:52

Ok, ask him

  • if parents are ever not to be informed e.g. about the transidentity of their kid -> that goes against safeguarding
  • if sex protections which are in the Equality act are overwritten by self-ID -> goes against safeguarding / equality act
  • if watchful waiting is encouraged by their guidelines? (is currently state of the art in medicine, Travistock does that).
  • if kids are gaslighted by unscientific explanations (innate gender, pink/blue brain) that defy scientific standards.
sashh · 05/10/2018 12:50

Ask him why it is UK for a male HT to take away the rights of the young women in VI form.

Ask how he thinks the girls' parents would react if he shared changing rooms and showers with their daughters?

placemats · 05/10/2018 12:40

This from WPUK Sheffield:

www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=524&v=ATNRbJW_JI8

'Professor Michele Moore is an expert in Inclusive Education and Disability Studies. She leads human rights projects across the world to support children, their families and those who work with them. She is the Co-Editor of the ground-breaking book Transgender Children and Young People, Born in Your Own Body from Cambridge Scholars. Michele will be discussing ideas from the book – the implications of self-declaration of gender for children and young people, including disabled children.'

It's all about education.

DayMay · 05/10/2018 12:40

These people will be deleting the emails in a short time, covering all of this behavior up when the press and random women inform the public.

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 12:37

I reported my above post for using a banned term.

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Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 12:34

Thanks. I'm really shocked by the level of critical thinking.

In Lisa's fab video she says schools will be receptive and HTs are worried about this. I had hoped for better than this.

Now I'm branded a TERF and a bigot.

Also, why is Schools Week so biased please? Not seen one GC story on there yet this is safeguarding.

I'm feeling really crappy now for raising my head above the parapet.

It's only when you've been following this madness that you know what really goes on with the Govt, advisors and certain media.

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gendercritter · 05/10/2018 12:30

I would definitely challenge him to actually read the Transgender Trend resource pack. If he's just relying on second hand repprts, he can't know it's wrong

OldCrone · 05/10/2018 12:26

Then linked to the negative Schools Week stories about TransgenderTrend.

Did he actually look at the TransgenderTrend guidance, or simply accept second hand criticism of it? It shows a remarkable lack of critical thinking if he was willing to simply accept someone else's views of the document without even a quick skim read to form his own opinion.

The view that "the government endorses Stonewall so we'll do what they say" shows extremely lazy thinking. Such complacency is appalling coming from someone in such a position of authority. Gives them the 'just following government advice' defence when the shit hits the fan, though. Sadly many people will be thinking like this rather than of the wellbeing of the children.

Original poster
HandsOffMyRights · 05/10/2018 12:08

Thanks. Lots to think on. He emailed me positively to say he'd look into it.

Then, a very short while after he came back asking what serious safeguarding concerns I mean.

Then linked to the negative Schools Week stories about TransgenderTrend.

He wrote:

*It appears to me that the group is of concern in the way that it is going about its business. All of the groups we work with, including Stonewall, are nationally recognised and reputable organisations, including by the DfE:

www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-around-the-country-to-stamp-out-lgbt-bullying

I am happy that we are an inclusive and tolerant school and certainly want to continue to do the work and training we do around these issues*

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deepwatersolo · 05/10/2018 12:01

Muggeridge says you should ask whether they have checked whether the guidances are in line with safeguarding laws (starting at 6:30)

Or you just channel Lisa Muggeridge:

She gives good instructions on what parents should ask schools.
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