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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Primary school Equaliteach

39 replies

iliveinacarpetbag · 24/01/2020 14:08

Hi, is anyone familiar with the organisation Equaliteach? My child's primary school is planning to introduce a programme by them with regards to "challenging heteronormativity and cisnormativity". It's not clear yet what exactly the school are planning to do.

www.equaliteach.co.uk/valentines-challenging-heteronormativity-cisnormativity/

OP posts:
HandsOffMyLangCleg · 24/01/2020 17:51

He's a teenager and at secondary school and he understands the difference between sex and gender I might add.
Primary school children, however, are being targeted by organisations that exploit children's innocence. Grooming.

Uncompromisingwoman · 24/01/2020 17:49

As OhHolyJesus points out, this training is another gravy train and it is essential that parents ask about the qualifications, experience and motivation of those selling this stuff to schools. These changes are profound - not just tackling stereotyping toys etc but advocating meddling with children's sense of self, society and others (born in the wrong body, normalising breast binding / puberty blockers / sterilising surgery for children being just a few examples).

Schools must conduct due diligence and ensure that people pushing this stuff at children can back up their theories with clear evidenced research about the psychological impact on young minds.

HandsOffMyLangCleg · 24/01/2020 17:49

There are so many of these groups cropping up now, it seems.
You could contact Transgender Trend and Safer Schools Alliance, both have advice and packs that you could send to schools.

My own child's school is being brainwashed by two organisations at the moment, so I share your concerns.

OhHolyJesus · 24/01/2020 17:00

Queer theory is usually disguised by accompanying it with perfectly reasonable theories (such as not stereotyping toys or colours) with the assumption that things will be taken at face value.

Whilst I risk sounding like a conspiracy-theorist, never take things at face value.

If it was me I would ask the Qs Uncompromising suggests and keep my child home that day.

There is an ever-increasing list of 'training' organisations like this one with parent-friendly names and child-friendly content but it doesn't take much to look beneath the surface and find something more.

iliveinacarpetbag · 24/01/2020 16:41

So looking quickly at the lesson plans on the website and the Out of the Box section, that looks ok- about not having boys/ girls toys, challenging gender stereotypes, awareness that some kids will have same sex couple parents. All good.

But the blog link about "cis-gender-normality" is really worrying stuff.

So I guess it depends what the school has in mind, although the blog link was sent to parents when informing us about the proposed programme.

OP posts:
Apollo440 · 24/01/2020 16:37

This does not belong in a Primary school.

Hidingtonothing · 24/01/2020 15:25

I am increasingly glad I home educate my DD, the fact that it's become necessary for parents to have to ask the questions listed by Uncompromisingwoman is terrifying to me. What on earth are schools thinking allowing these organisations access to children when it's clear most don't even consider the points raised by those questions?!!

skql · 24/01/2020 15:16

"challenging heteronormativity and cisnormativity"

it looks terrible.

Mockers2020Vision · 24/01/2020 15:16

There is no such thing as a trans-child. In UK law, gender reassignment can only begin beyond the age of 18.

Nappyvalley15 · 24/01/2020 15:11

No primary school child needs to be taught to 'challenge heteronormailty' etc. so on that basis I wouldn't want this group in my child's school. Children just need to learn to be accepting and not to bully. They can tackle concepts from queer theory when they are adults and hopefully have the ability to see through it.

loveyouradvice · 24/01/2020 15:05

I would also ask them to be aware that "cis" is increasingly becoming a word that is contentious, and not accepted by the group it aims to describe so that they would be moving into very political waters to start teaching their children language that many see as pejorative

Uncompromisingwoman · 24/01/2020 15:01

As a parent, I'd ask the school what due diligence they have carried out about this organisation? What qualifications does the organisation / presenters have in wishing to influence the organisation and ethos of a school? What are their experience / qualifications in child psychology? Child development? Schools and education?

And most importantly what is their training in safeguarding? Have the school ensured that all materials used and views expressed are Working Together / Keeping Children Safe in Education complaint?

What access will individuals have to children, either individually or groups? Are they all in possession of enhanced DBS checks?

I'd put those questions to the school in letter / email form and ask for a formal response to each point.

Binterested · 24/01/2020 14:30

Just looked up their website. Wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole - trained up by Mermaids and Stonewall. No one tells my kids they are cis Angry

Gronky · 24/01/2020 14:27

It wouldn't be possible to comment upon exactly how much they (the school) intend to implement but searching for 'site:equaliteach.co.uk lesson plans' on Google (remove the inverted commas) turns up a variety of resources they'd (the charity) presumably provide to the school.