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Schools ‘let pupils switch gender without informing parents’ - Policy Exchange Report

158 replies

rogdmum · 30/03/2023 06:10

There’s a raft of coverage in the Times and the Mail today:

<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-014418/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/schools-let-pupils-switch-gender-without-informing-parents-pppbphkgq?shareToken=a982976ca8c81a3e9ea0e21ee76f3364" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-014418/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/schools-let-pupils-switch-gender-without-informing-parents-pppbphkgq?shareToken=a982976ca8c81a3e9ea0e21ee76f3364

Half of schools turn to outside agencies for sex education:

<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-015239/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/half-of-schools-turn-to-outside-agencies-for-sex-education-zzqqsmgb0?shareToken=111ada6e40d464c85ba4f6d11703fbd8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-015239/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/half-of-schools-turn-to-outside-agencies-for-sex-education-zzqqsmgb0?shareToken=111ada6e40d464c85ba4f6d11703fbd8

The magnificent Rosie Duffield:

<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-015234/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rosie-duffield-schools-are-failing-in-their-duty-to-protect-gender-distressed-children-9zzsk06j9?shareToken=fbad1f25d0a39dad9cb1bc35292664d7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-015234/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rosie-duffield-schools-are-failing-in-their-duty-to-protect-gender-distressed-children-9zzsk06j9?shareToken=fbad1f25d0a39dad9cb1bc35292664d7

Rosie nails it:

”Iis universally accepted that safeguarding is fundamental to a responsible society. These principles are well-established, enshrined in law, and applicable to all organisations and functions relating to children. There is never a good reason why safeguarding should be compromised, especially within school, where children spend the majority of their time outside of the home environment.”

”The rising number of children reporting gender distress, and the treatment of those children within clinical settings, is rightly being given the attention it deserves. In an NHS-commissioned independent review, Dr Hilary Cass found the Tavistock clinic to be adopting an “unquestioning, affirmative approach” without exploring other factors causing these children’s distress.
Affirmation as a one-size-fits-all solution has been discredited.

Thankfully, the clinic is being shut down. However, Policy Exchange has revealed something even more concerning: the same approach is being facilitated in schools, which breaks every safeguarding rule in the book.”

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https://archive.ph/2023.03.30-014418/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/schools-let-pupils-switch-gender-without-informing-parents-pppbphkgq?shareToken=a982976ca8c81a3e9ea0e21ee76f3364

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MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 14:14

Sorry - tagged wrong post but my thoughts still stand. Where do gay kids fit on our new ideology?

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 14:11

AeroMintChocolate · 02/04/2023 11:36

In May the Home Secretary will be giving them a shock - as they will be considered grooming gangs who sexually abuse children, they will eventually be banned from working with the vulnerable and some given prison sentences (because if you don't report them you will get into trouble, so keep the evidence ready). I have zero sympathy for them, they are children abusing bullies totally unsuited for their role.

Show quote history

I agree with this. I’m an “old” teacher of 23 years. I have never dealt with these issues since SM was prevalent. Was it hidden, I don’t know. My SIL is gay and her (ex) partner have had my nephews via donation. My male HoD is gay. We’re all “old”. I don’t know any teens who are gay.

batterypark · 02/04/2023 13:23

Leafstamp · 02/04/2023 08:56

May I ask if is you felt about being informed rather than consulted with?

Also, if you don’t mind sharing, is your child still using that name? Still with a trans identity?

Show quote history

I was very much just informed. There was a male name in the register and on all paperwork. My daughter was having the usual horrendous time of any autistic girl going through puberty and we were having many issues.
She only used the male name for a few months but it took a lot longer to get it removed from school paperwork. There were many more name changes and a lot of gender confusion. She does not use her birth name now.

AeroMintChocolate · 02/04/2023 11:36

twelly · 02/04/2023 11:29

Whilst I accept that many teachers are fearful of their jobs and do not agree this ideology there are a significant of vocal - mostly younger teachers who are pushing this agenda and aggressively so. I have seen this and am really concerned that they have the momentum, they see it as some sort of crusade

In May the Home Secretary will be giving them a shock - as they will be considered grooming gangs who sexually abuse children, they will eventually be banned from working with the vulnerable and some given prison sentences (because if you don't report them you will get into trouble, so keep the evidence ready). I have zero sympathy for them, they are children abusing bullies totally unsuited for their role.

twelly · 02/04/2023 11:29

Whilst I accept that many teachers are fearful of their jobs and do not agree this ideology there are a significant of vocal - mostly younger teachers who are pushing this agenda and aggressively so. I have seen this and am really concerned that they have the momentum, they see it as some sort of crusade

AeroMintChocolate · 02/04/2023 11:26

Tallisker · 02/04/2023 11:07

I am more and more uncomfortable about this whole ideology and the capture of our institutions. It's right that the government have to get a grip on this, but they are advised by the civil service which is very captured indeed.

There is mention of materials from The Proud Trust in the thread. The Proud Trust has produced a lanyard which is rainbow stripes on one side and trans colours on the other. Over the course of the past month I have seen increasing numbers of people wearing this lanyard, including, this week, the director. I am sure they think they are just being kind, inclusive and accepting, but the government is up against the behemoth of the groupthink of the civil service and unless that capture is reversed, it will never change.

A civil service network was set up recently for people with gender critical views to find each other. The backlash against this network is vile, vitriolic and frightening. A trans person seems to think it was deliberately set up to erase his existence, and lots of allies starting linking to all the articles we've seen here over the years which apparently is "the science". Links to Stonewall and Mermaids. A big poster saying "transwomen are women" went up on the intranet last week on the day of visibility.

The civil service write the policy that ultimately becomes law. From the very beginning, so-called gender-neutral language is baked into everything they produce. We know about maternity policies erasing the word woman, but the same ethos is happening throughout.

A recent move has been to supply period products in all the toilets. We have single sex male and female and also unisex accessible toilets labelled gender neutral. I can't help think this is a massive waste of taxpayers' money to include this provision in the gents. There are two other options for transmen who menstruate, there doesn't need to be all three. It's not just the supply of the products, it's the provision and management of the disposal bins which will be an added cost. If you double the number of bins, you have to increase the contract which manages them. No is going to check that they need emptying, nor should they. They will just get emptied.

It is frightening and I have no idea how it is going to be changed. I challenge the misrepresentation of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act, for example, but I have been met with hostility even for that tiny question.

I have seen this link today and it seems to sum up the people you describe.

The UK moral code is basic and it comes from the priestly caste in Human resources.

I suspect this is one place you need to tackle as they control you via loss of status and money.

mobile.twitter.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1642267617380519938?cxt=HHwWhMC-gc3swMotAAAA

Tallisker · 02/04/2023 11:07

I am more and more uncomfortable about this whole ideology and the capture of our institutions. It's right that the government have to get a grip on this, but they are advised by the civil service which is very captured indeed.

There is mention of materials from The Proud Trust in the thread. The Proud Trust has produced a lanyard which is rainbow stripes on one side and trans colours on the other. Over the course of the past month I have seen increasing numbers of people wearing this lanyard, including, this week, the director. I am sure they think they are just being kind, inclusive and accepting, but the government is up against the behemoth of the groupthink of the civil service and unless that capture is reversed, it will never change.

A civil service network was set up recently for people with gender critical views to find each other. The backlash against this network is vile, vitriolic and frightening. A trans person seems to think it was deliberately set up to erase his existence, and lots of allies starting linking to all the articles we've seen here over the years which apparently is "the science". Links to Stonewall and Mermaids. A big poster saying "transwomen are women" went up on the intranet last week on the day of visibility.

The civil service write the policy that ultimately becomes law. From the very beginning, so-called gender-neutral language is baked into everything they produce. We know about maternity policies erasing the word woman, but the same ethos is happening throughout.

A recent move has been to supply period products in all the toilets. We have single sex male and female and also unisex accessible toilets labelled gender neutral. I can't help think this is a massive waste of taxpayers' money to include this provision in the gents. There are two other options for transmen who menstruate, there doesn't need to be all three. It's not just the supply of the products, it's the provision and management of the disposal bins which will be an added cost. If you double the number of bins, you have to increase the contract which manages them. No is going to check that they need emptying, nor should they. They will just get emptied.

It is frightening and I have no idea how it is going to be changed. I challenge the misrepresentation of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act, for example, but I have been met with hostility even for that tiny question.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 11:05

FWIW, I want all parents to be aware. I don’t want to be complicit with transitioning.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 11:01

But it’s “should”, which means it doesn’t have to happen. It’s just a recommendation. Like when it was covid and dfe said all classrooms should be ventilated, have air filtration units, social distancing … “should”, but didn’t happen.

Clymene · 02/04/2023 10:59

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:54

I agree but this is the response I get as this is what the Dfe guidance is currently:

It states than in accordance with the human rights act, schools should “normally work”, with the agreement of parents, “towards respecting the wishes of pupils to be the people they wish to be”.

”should” isn’t “you must”, “normally”‘isn’t “always”.

And that’s why we are where we are.

'With the agreement of the parents' though. Not 'without the knowledge of the parents'.

I'm not having a go at you but I'm appalled that schools are socially transitioning children without their parents' knowledge or consent.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:56

cosmiccosmos · 02/04/2023 10:46

I don't want to push more on teachers but all it takes is for each teacher to stand up and say they will only use name as per the register and will adhere to standard pronouns ie she for female.

At my child's primary if you stood by and let someone say unkind things or bully then you were complicit. Teachers standing by and doing this are complicit.

Who says it's 'best for the child' to hide this from the parents. What else are you going to hide? If children are told that they cannot change their name, pronouns and uniform then they have a clear boundary. How are children buying their own uniform? I thought it was pretty much unisex now anyway?

What's happening here is that children are running the show. Schools need to stop pandering and get some rules in place. I have a friend who is a teacher who is retiring this year, a key reason is the behaviour of students. Someone needs to start being 'the parent'.

I have tried. We are reprimanded for accidentally using the incorrect pronoun … child goes to pastoral, pastoral send whole school emails reminding us … God knows that would happen if I actively started using just birth names. Most likely sacked.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:54

I agree but this is the response I get as this is what the Dfe guidance is currently:

It states than in accordance with the human rights act, schools should “normally work”, with the agreement of parents, “towards respecting the wishes of pupils to be the people they wish to be”.

”should” isn’t “you must”, “normally”‘isn’t “always”.

And that’s why we are where we are.

twelly · 02/04/2023 10:49

It is just appalling that schools have been taking this approach. Safeguarding has been used in my view incorrectly. I am appalled by some of those in the teaching profession who have activity encouraged this approach

cosmiccosmos · 02/04/2023 10:46

I don't want to push more on teachers but all it takes is for each teacher to stand up and say they will only use name as per the register and will adhere to standard pronouns ie she for female.

At my child's primary if you stood by and let someone say unkind things or bully then you were complicit. Teachers standing by and doing this are complicit.

Who says it's 'best for the child' to hide this from the parents. What else are you going to hide? If children are told that they cannot change their name, pronouns and uniform then they have a clear boundary. How are children buying their own uniform? I thought it was pretty much unisex now anyway?

What's happening here is that children are running the show. Schools need to stop pandering and get some rules in place. I have a friend who is a teacher who is retiring this year, a key reason is the behaviour of students. Someone needs to start being 'the parent'.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:37

MrsOvertonsWindow · 02/04/2023 10:25

There's a lot of evidence about this now - "transing away the gay" with children believing being trans gives them a kudos and attention that being lesbian /gay doesn't.
Your school sounds dangerous safeguarding wise if they're keeping this from so many parents. Maybe send a copy of this from the Times to the Head?

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eaf16a74-ce5e-11ed-9a78-fca06b87e87b?shareToken=5f2a3411ceaa26296443420f9de2987f

Show quote history

A while ago some mumsnetters referred me to some articles which I sent to the pastoral team but the response I had was the Dfe’s guidance is to do what is best for the child. I actually feel like I’m the odd one for raising concerns! Unless the Dfe states categorically that parents will be made aware of transitioning (and not “we recommend”), then there will be schools like mine who will cave in.

ValancyRedfern · 02/04/2023 10:32

ResisterRex · 02/04/2023 10:23

When you think you've read it all and can't be shocked:

twitter.com/famedtrust/status/1642454531215708161?s=46&t=WHoOZ_3Kv5G6-FyQuvE0LQ

I teach in a Catholic school and our rse is very tame, but even with ours, I had to ask the class to think about what their vision for the future sex life was. The kids looked appalled and one stated. 'How should I know I'm only 15!'. Well quite!

(The drift of the lesson was that they should choose not to use artificial contraception, which is a whole different angle of bonkers, but that's for another thread).

MrsOvertonsWindow · 02/04/2023 10:25

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:20

I’m a secondary school teacher and have and continue to teach transitioning students and gender-free pupils. Some pupils are transitioning without parental knowledge. I have raised this with the pastoral team but the current guidance is to do what is best for the child - that’s how vague it is! What affects me more on a day to day basis os that said students get riled up if I accidentally refer to them using the wrong pronoun. I also have to be very careful during report writing and parents evening that I use the birth name to parents. I feel complicit in this but it’s just allowed. Interestingly, all the transitioning pupils are girls. No one very comes out as lesbian anymore. Is it “easier” to be trans than lesbian?

There's a lot of evidence about this now - "transing away the gay" with children believing being trans gives them a kudos and attention that being lesbian /gay doesn't.
Your school sounds dangerous safeguarding wise if they're keeping this from so many parents. Maybe send a copy of this from the Times to the Head?

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eaf16a74-ce5e-11ed-9a78-fca06b87e87b?shareToken=5f2a3411ceaa26296443420f9de2987f

ResisterRex · 02/04/2023 10:23

When you think you've read it all and can't be shocked:

twitter.com/famedtrust/status/1642454531215708161?s=46&t=WHoOZ_3Kv5G6-FyQuvE0LQ

ValancyRedfern · 02/04/2023 10:22

For a teenage girl. Yes.

MrsMurphyIWish · 02/04/2023 10:20

I’m a secondary school teacher and have and continue to teach transitioning students and gender-free pupils. Some pupils are transitioning without parental knowledge. I have raised this with the pastoral team but the current guidance is to do what is best for the child - that’s how vague it is! What affects me more on a day to day basis os that said students get riled up if I accidentally refer to them using the wrong pronoun. I also have to be very careful during report writing and parents evening that I use the birth name to parents. I feel complicit in this but it’s just allowed. Interestingly, all the transitioning pupils are girls. No one very comes out as lesbian anymore. Is it “easier” to be trans than lesbian?

Leafstamp · 02/04/2023 08:56

batterypark · 02/04/2023 00:04

My autistic daughter is 21 now. Back when she was 14 this happened to her at high school. I was informed of the new name and pronouns by a teacher.

May I ask if is you felt about being informed rather than consulted with?

Also, if you don’t mind sharing, is your child still using that name? Still with a trans identity?

batterypark · 02/04/2023 00:04

My autistic daughter is 21 now. Back when she was 14 this happened to her at high school. I was informed of the new name and pronouns by a teacher.

Leafstamp · 01/04/2023 21:18

Just bumping this thread and saying thank you to those sharing useful information.

I'll also be writing to my MP.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 01/04/2023 14:40

ValancyRedfern · 01/04/2023 12:34

Matt Hood CEO of Oak tweeting in 2019 saying parents could just home school if they don't like RSE, and defending Andrew Moffatt, who consistently re-writes the protected characteristics to omit sex, by saying you can't 'pick and choose protected characteristics. Which is exactly what Andrew Moffat does. This is a stitch up from the start.

FFs. Even in the face of the clearest evidence of dodgy doings, this government can't find anyone not captured by gender woowoo to chair this - defending the indefensible Andrew Moffatt fgs.
Off to write to my tory MP.