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GDST schools announce trans policy

164 replies

AgathaMystery · 02/01/2022 03:13

Hopefully this share token will work. If not I will screen shot.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/01/group-girls-schools-says-will-not-accept-transgender-pupils/

OP posts:
ferretface · 02/01/2022 09:19

I went to a GDST school, glad to see they get it.

borntobequiet · 02/01/2022 09:16

Such a contrast to the Girl Guides

This.

Walkinginawingingwonderland · 02/01/2022 08:58

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 02/01/2022 08:55

Such a relief and such a sensible decision. Organisations for girls ought to understand the detriment to girls of losing their single-sex spaces, and whilst this has been couched in terms of the legal requirements of the Equality Act, I am sure there is a genuine belief in the value of single sex education for girls behind it too.

Such a contrast to the Girl Guides.

My DD didn’t attend a GDST school but am going to write to them anyway and thank them.

FusionChefGeoff · 02/01/2022 08:51

@Dozer yes I completely agree with you - also the headline suggests (and I'm sure will be used / twisted) as blanket transphobia ie NO transgender people rather than just those of the male sex.

GoodnightGrandma · 02/01/2022 08:46

Good.
I hope this snowballs into other areas, and that this gives people the confidence to speak out.

Dozer · 02/01/2022 08:43

Unlikely to be related! Different decisions. Assume the pensions thing arises following reduction in government subsidy for private school teachers’ pensions.

Walkinginawingingwonderland · 02/01/2022 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dozer · 02/01/2022 08:40

Eg they’re not simply saying ‘we will continue to offer single sex education, which is in accordance with equality legislation’.

Dozer · 02/01/2022 08:38

I strongly agree with their decision to maintain the single sex facilities and provision of education.

My concern is about the wording of the statement. Can’t explain it v well.

overthethamesfromyou · 02/01/2022 08:35

I'm delighted they have come out and been really clear on this point and I hope the backlash is manageable (although it will shine more light!)

SolasAnla · 02/01/2022 08:30

@Dozer

Their argument seems to be legalistic, rather than that it would not be in girls’ best interests to end GDST’s single sex provision.
Of course it will be based on the legal element of losing single sex provision (SSP). Its parents make the decision in the best interest of their girl. If no parent ever wanted SSP the school would go mixed sex. The schools are filling a need by offering parents a SSP option as the parents have decided against a mixed sex school for their girls. So no boys even special boys who's "best interest" is to be in a girls school. Doing SSP rather than going the emotional "best interest" stops the counter-claim of "most marginalised" "killing me" etc. etc. Any objection is an attack on little girls' right to the single sex exemption, or forcing little girls to change for PE with a human with penis in the room.
HighRopes · 02/01/2022 08:27

Fingers crossed, but dd may have a choice of GDST and non GDST girls schools in the next couple of months (for Y7 entry). This sort of clarity is very useful for making decisions, and I wish the other girls schools involved would be as clear on their approach to the Equality Act single sex exemptions.

Igmum · 02/01/2022 08:22

Good good good. And, strictly speaking, they do accept transgender pupils because they accept FtM transboys and NB but they know the difference between sex and gender. Well done on a sensible and intelligent decision.

PaleBlueMoonlight · 02/01/2022 08:21

This is really important and good. The idea, though, that there is a need for guidance rather than schools (or anyone else) simply being able to rely on the law due to pressure from lobby groups, remains of concern.

JellySaurus · 02/01/2022 08:20

South Hampstead High School is a member of the GDST. The Head has been in the news a couple of times over her attitude towards unquestioning swallowing of trans ideology.

Artichokeleaves · 02/01/2022 08:14

Good for them.

Inclusive and supportive of female transitioners, but they are a specifically female only resource.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 02/01/2022 08:10

Good for them.

Can't see Eton or Harrow rushing to accept Trans boys...

EvilKinevil · 02/01/2022 08:00

So happy to see this.

Datun · 02/01/2022 07:50

Good for them. They obviously recognise the importance of sex, particularly for girls.

The body's fears are centred around the fact that it is only able to operate a single-sex admissions policy without breaching the Equality Act because of an exemption related to biological sex.

I don't know why they use the word 'fears'. They are entirely correct. All the government needs to say is yes, that's right, that's what the exceptions are for, you're using it correctly and for the reason its intended.

I sincerely hope they do. Confirmation from Liz Truss would be invaluable.

PurplePikachu · 02/01/2022 07:23

Pleasant surprise! I’m a former GDST girl and will be contacting them to support this policy. If anybody else wants to show them some support (to counterbalance the trolls) you can contact them here: www.gdst.net/contact/

Dozer · 02/01/2022 07:23

Which is a concern IMO.

Dozer · 02/01/2022 07:23

Their argument seems to be legalistic, rather than that it would not be in girls’ best interests to end GDST’s single sex provision.

TheSeventeenth · 02/01/2022 07:23

I am really pleased that the GDST have made this clear announcement. My daughters go to GDST school.

HelloDulling · 02/01/2022 07:18

Sorry, I meant trans-female.

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