I think school may be ignoring my emails re: gender identity

59 replies

Changeychangeychange · 15/06/2021 15:10

After much deliberating I bit the bullet and emailed my child's school about 3 weeks ago now, on 24th May. No response. Half term came and went so on 7th June I followed up with a polite email checking it had been received. Got a reply from the secretary assuring me she would ensure the head would see my original email. Reattached PDFs from safe schools alliance etc. Another week has gone by, no response.

What should I do from here? Chase again? I don't want to make a complaint but I do want them to answer my questions this side of the summer holidays! My email was polite and asking for information about the planned teaching relating to gender ideology in the school. Also asking for information about the promotion of keeping secrets within the jigsaw PSHE programme. It very firmly flags me up as gender critical, which worries me in a LA maintained school in a stonewall champion city council.

The silence from the school is worrying me more than anything, surely the should want to talk to parents about PSHE concerns? I'm not used to dealing with schools as my child is in yrR, so I have no idea what to expect or what a normal timeframe for a response would be.

OP posts:

Original poster

Changeychangeychange · 15/06/2021 16:52

Thanks all. I could go directly to the class teacher first but as it's a large multi form entry school I assumed the decisions about the curriculum wouldn't be made by the class teacher? Perhaps I should have approached her first, I didnt want to put her on the spot. Also I'd have to chat with her at pick up time at the entrance to the classroom (due to covid rules) and I don't really want other parents hearing my concerns at this point, as there is a child in the class who presents in clothes associated with the opposite sex, and other parents who I feel are probably of the TWAW persuasion.

I think I'll send a polite chasing email towards the end of the week as per Leafstamp's suggestion. If still no reply after that I'll think again, but hopefully it won't come to that.

OP posts:

MsFogi · 15/06/2021 16:05

Check the school's communication policy (they should have one) and quote that when you resend your email requesting a response. If you then don't get a response in accordance with the communication policy raise a complaint about breach of the comms policy with your requested outcome being a full response to your initial email (I know you don't want to but things happen if you complain!).

MouseyTheVampireSlayer · 15/06/2021 15:56

The added benefit of getting it raised in the staff meeting is it will have to be discussed with the teachers, who tend to have more sensible ideas about gender stereotypes and sexism than non teaching SLT. It means Lt can't just put things down on the sky and then expect staff to comply and follow that line.
We've had some very memorable staff meetings where 'representation' has been thrown in as a bit of virtue signalling and has resulted in the whole teaching staff pointing out how white and male the curriculum is. The meetings are minuted so even if the staff are ignored there's a record that they raised.concerns.

Leafstamp · 15/06/2021 15:51

I’ve had a similar experience. I personally think it’s a bit antagonistic to cc governors/SMT etc. I’d send another chaser expressing your concern at no reply, ask whether there is a reason for the delay, offer a telephone call instead of email, and ask for a date of when you can expect a reply.

Nonmaquillee · 15/06/2021 15:45

Forward to the governors and mention that you're disappointed not to have received a response so far on this significant issue, particularly given the media attention that SW and its ideology have been subject to.

MouseyTheVampireSlayer · 15/06/2021 15:43

Relationships*
And I mean they are socialised out of it by parents and other boys. NOT teachers.

MouseyTheVampireSlayer · 15/06/2021 15:42

And I agree with toffee. Leave a paper trail.
Even if it's only,

'Thank you Year R Teacher for listening to my concerns regarding the sre curriculum and gender policy. I look forward to receiving more information on the policy once it's been discussed with the appropriate members of staff.'

MouseyTheVampireSlayer · 15/06/2021 15:40

I think you're in a good position here because of the yeargroup your child is in.
In most schools year R have a really close relatives with parents so I would first speak to your class teacher about it and ask them to raise it in the staff meeting (most schools have one weekly)
Most year R teachers I know are keen to not stereotype (we get a lot of boys dressing as fairy princesses until they are socialised out of it by term three or so) so you could have a conversation with said teacher and maybe give them the materials to peruse.

The silence could mean a lot of things. That gender ideology has indeed been implemented and they're hoping you don't pursue it. That the school has only just realised they've been Stonewalled and are busy rewriting policies. Or the fact it's low down on the priorities list.

The normal route is: class teacher, then headteacher, governors, Ofsted.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/06/2021 15:36

Resend the original (highlight the date and comment that you have had no response at all) and CC... governors, all the SMT, owners (if it’s private).

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