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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Sex not gender, No Outsiders changing the Equality Act, DepHead/DSL captured

736 replies

Vebrithien · 01/02/2023 12:51

Well, here we are, with a whole new thread!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4713725-please-help-gender-not-sex-on-a-school-protected-characteristics-poster-just-spoken-to-the-head?page=10&reply=123546552

Thank you all, so so much for the support you have given me.

I am currently working on the draft of the message I want to send.

Long story short, DD's primary school displays posters by No Outsiders, showing the 9 protected characteristics of the Equality Act. Sex as been replaced with gender.

I have raised this with the Head, the assistant Head, and the Deputy Head (DepHead, as DH just doesn't work here). I have been reassured that sex is synonymous with gender in law, and, through an email stream, No Outsiders have reassured the school that it is deliberate, gender is easier to teach children than sex, especially as some will snigger at sex.

Oh, and teaching that gender is the difference between boys and girls, it makes it easier to then explain gender reassignment later on.

I'll put the message from the DepHead and No Outsiders here, and also my reply, in its current state.

Thank you all again!

OP posts:
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Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 19:39

Oh, and we shouldn't use social media to challenge school policies.

OP posts:
Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 19:37

No blanket ban on sharing emails, just that we mustn't share emails that attack a pupil or member of staff.

Social media (WhatsApp isn't mentioned) we should post nothing that brings the school into disrepute.

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SinnerBoy · 02/03/2023 19:32

Does it say anything about not sharing emails? Because if not, it's an empty threat to intimidate you.

Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 19:05

I've no idea if I have signed it. We were in the middle of the first lockdown when DD was offered the place. I don't remember physically signing anything.

It is on their website.

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 02/03/2023 19:01

Vebrithien · Today 18:50

I've received a phone call and email from the school (assistant head), telling me off for breaking the parental code of conduct, and posting about my concerns on the (non-official) year group WhatsApp group.

What Parental Code of Conduct is that? Have you signed anything to say that you can't share emails from the school?

Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 18:59

Don't know.

I can't removed the copies that other people forwarded and posted on different year groups. I have no access to those, so could only delete the original two.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 02/03/2023 18:58

And what would happen if you refused to remove the whatsapp messages

bellac11 · 02/03/2023 18:58

So much for transparency

Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 18:56

Apparently, the emails are meant to be confidential.

But (with only one slip-up, which Mumsnet came to the rescue on), I have mentioned no names.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 02/03/2023 18:54

Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 18:51

Shit'd hit the fan if they find the messages here.

As also, apparently I shouldn't have forwarded, or shared the content of the emails.

Why? It doesnt break any GDPR or personal informationa bout anyone does it

Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 18:51

Shit'd hit the fan if they find the messages here.

As also, apparently I shouldn't have forwarded, or shared the content of the emails.

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Original poster
Vebrithien · 02/03/2023 18:50

Well, here's a cat amongst the pigeons.

I've received a phone call and email from the school (assistant head), telling me off for breaking the parental code of conduct, and posting about my concerns on the (non-official) year group WhatsApp group. And it was shared on other year groups.

Apparently the school have received several reports from the parent community across the infant year groups about a variety of posts on WhatsApp regarding your concern and how, in the view of those parents, this is an inappropriate place to post this kind of information.

Amongst other things, I have to remove the posts, and let them know when I have done it.

Oh, and they threw in the threat that anything considered defamatory could be reported to the police.

OP posts:
Apollo441 · 01/03/2023 23:32

In terms of doing something positive I think we should all be seeking governors positions to actively resist the spread of genderwoo. My wife is a governor and was able to steer the school towards sensible RSE material. Being knowledgeable about the subject and having clear coherent answers to questions put her in a powerful position and the other governors readily got on board. The gender ideology cult can only progress by being unopposed. Their arguments collapse when confronted.
Please put yourselves forward.

ScrollingLeaves · 01/03/2023 21:28

That is wonderful. Thank you.

Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 21:26

Have set a thread up, started moving over some resources

OP posts:
Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 10:18

dimorphism · 01/03/2023 10:06

Yes, good idea - a sort of 'break it down for me: contacting your child's school edition'

Show quote history

Righto, may need to wait for this evening to set it up, childcare, support human duties and the washing, is calling.

OP posts:
Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 10:17

dimorphism · 01/03/2023 09:56

There are a range of different types of governors (and it varies a bit school to school and depending also on the type of school).

Parent governors are elected by the other parents, however in my children's schools often these have been uncontested elections.

Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing board as they have relevant expertise - you definitely have this as a teacher. Sometimes governing boards will advertise vacancies and say they want in particular financial expertise etc.

Local Authority governors are appointed by the LA but I don't know exactly how this happens.

There are also Foundation Governors in church schools.

Here's some information.

askaclerk.co.uk/what-are-the-different-types-of-school-governor/

The best thing to do is to find out who's currently the Chair of Governors or one of the Parent Governors for your child's school and have a chat to them. Once you've expressed any interest in becoming a governor I predict they'll be biting your hand off to get you on board.

Show quote history

Oh, that's so interesting!

The chair of governors is an ex colleague, who left teaching perhaps 5 years ago. She has a child in DD's year, and is on the WhatsApp group where I sent my messages (she was not a science teacher). Not heard anything from her, so don't know her position on gender woo. Although, her DH is my old head of department, so should know the important of biological sex. He's also the deputy head of a different secondary school, so may have direct experience of this.

Something to think about.

OP posts:
dimorphism · 01/03/2023 10:06

Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:24

Also, do you think it would be worth my starting a new thread, with all of the resources used? A sort of depository of resources to use, if you're concerned about the conflation of sex and gender in a school.

Yes, good idea - a sort of 'break it down for me: contacting your child's school edition'

dimorphism · 01/03/2023 09:56

Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:22

Thank you @dimorphism. I currently work part-time, as my littlest is still in nursery. I have considered staying part-time when he starts school, but then taking up more responsibilities.

Do you know how one goes about becoming a governor? Is it invite only, do you have to wait for one to leave? Are there elections?

There are a range of different types of governors (and it varies a bit school to school and depending also on the type of school).

Parent governors are elected by the other parents, however in my children's schools often these have been uncontested elections.

Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing board as they have relevant expertise - you definitely have this as a teacher. Sometimes governing boards will advertise vacancies and say they want in particular financial expertise etc.

Local Authority governors are appointed by the LA but I don't know exactly how this happens.

There are also Foundation Governors in church schools.

Here's some information.

askaclerk.co.uk/what-are-the-different-types-of-school-governor/

The best thing to do is to find out who's currently the Chair of Governors or one of the Parent Governors for your child's school and have a chat to them. Once you've expressed any interest in becoming a governor I predict they'll be biting your hand off to get you on board.

Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:24

Also, do you think it would be worth my starting a new thread, with all of the resources used? A sort of depository of resources to use, if you're concerned about the conflation of sex and gender in a school.

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Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:22

Thank you @dimorphism. I currently work part-time, as my littlest is still in nursery. I have considered staying part-time when he starts school, but then taking up more responsibilities.

Do you know how one goes about becoming a governor? Is it invite only, do you have to wait for one to leave? Are there elections?

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Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:18

dimorphism · 01/03/2023 09:15

(or if someone tells me what to do i'll try and do it, however you need to know that I didn't realise the 'ctrl' key stood for 'control' for about 10 years - this is my level of computer expertise).

😂I feel your pain!

Not a hope in hell, of my being able to do it!

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Original poster
Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 09:17

Thank you @ScrollingLeaves , it is very kind of you to say that.

When I first raised this with the school, in early December, I felt a sort of panic, over how I was going to find the evidence I felt I needed.

I'd been lurking on FWR, for a few years, occasionally posting, and reading all I could.

I'd been gradually noticing a turn in attitudes, since about 2018, in the school I work in. Acceptance or be cancelled. More and more children were coming up to me with no idea about their biology or how the two sexes differ, or even how humans can't change sex.

Since the pandemic, I have children every year, who know about the surgery some trans people undergo, and many children believe that humans can change sex.

I've cried to my best friend, that having taken a strictly scientific line with the children, I am going to be reported to my school and suspended, for being transphobic. I don't deny that trans people exist, or that they don't matter, but I do clearly explain the science behind the two sexes, and why that is immutable.

Post pandemic, I have been more and more outspoken at work, with my colleagues. It also helps that the current Headteacher in my school is a biologist. Gradually, common sense is starting to prevail.

To then see my DD's school, completely dismissing my concerns, on things that they are not even legally compelled to teach, absolutely boiled my piss infuriated me!

And I know, that there will be other parents in this situation, so I do, really hope, that if any of the resources, links and arguments given here are useful, other parents use them.

Also, as an offer, if there are any parents who find that their children's school is using No Outsiders resources, I will willingly stand as a names example of where the school has removed the posters, due to parental complaints.

OP posts:
dimorphism · 01/03/2023 09:15

(or if someone tells me what to do i'll try and do it, however you need to know that I didn't realise the 'ctrl' key stood for 'control' for about 10 years - this is my level of computer expertise).

dimorphism · 01/03/2023 09:13

Vebrithien · 01/03/2023 08:19

Oh @AlisonDonut , patisserie all to yourself!

That, truly, is a celebration!

@rabbitwoman has sent me a marvellous video of Miriam Cates and the Chief Inspector of Ofsted, who confirms that biological sex is important, and that safeguarding concerns can arise if schools are transitioning students without parental consent and medical advice.

Thank you for this - Miriam Cates is magnificent. She is really standing up for children here when so many adults are choosing to bow to the demands of adult activists instead of ensuring robust safeguarding. It's good to see that the Head of Ofsted recognises sex matters in safeguarding and the safeguarding risks in affirmation only (particularly without parental knowledge).

You'd be an amazing governor @Vebrithien but appreciate you might not have the time.

This thread IS an important resource. I'm not clever about archiving things but I wonder if anyone could archive it just in case some men get fed up women are using facts and raising concerns about appropriate education for children all at the same time?

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