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Original poster

BBC on gov guidance for schools - points that need to be considered

63 replies

Hagosaurus · 19/05/2023 06:09

BBC article on gov guidelines for how to treat transgender pupils in school

Generally balanced article including input from Tanya Carter, highlighting the difficulties teachers are facing and including the issues around informing parents, changing rooms and toilets, although not pronouns.

One thing mentioned by the school used to illustrate the article was that trans(umbrella term!) children are allowed to change for PE in a private area - not clear whether that’s a third communal space or, more likely, individual changing cubicles. I know my dd would jump at the chance to have a private changing space, and would be perfectly happy to declare herself trans/NB/a dragon to access it. There was also a question at the end about whether schools would get extra funding to support trans children.

It is really important imo that the guidance ensures that, whatever support is offered, it does not (inadvertently?) offer inducements to children to transition or to schools to encourage transition

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-65473198

Gender neutral toilet sign

Teachers walk tightropes in face of no trans guidance

Five years on from a government pledge, schools grapple with a subject as divisive as it is sensitive.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-65473198

OP posts:
WarriorN · 19/05/2023 10:52

Yes that seems to be the prevailing idea. There's no specific guidance in safeguarding documentation- but there is around peer on peer abuse. Including transphobia. So they translate that as these children need protection including from parents

MarkWithaC · 19/05/2023 10:40

It's on the 6 Music news bulletins as well, quite low down the running order but decent time given.
Re: the safeguarding aspect, a very TWAW person I know has been through safeguarding training and is adamant that safeguarding means teachers not telling parents if kids talk about being trans, because their parents might react in a hostile or violent way and safeguarding is about first and foremost protecting the child. I think this is bullshit but am still formulating my thinking as to why.

Original poster
Hagosaurus · 19/05/2023 08:07

Warrior I completely agree girls need to be protected, genuinely think schools should manage toilets & changing on the basis of same sex bodies. No solution is ideal, and I think this is probably the fairest, safest approach.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hagosaurus · 19/05/2023 08:03

short article on R5 too, Rachel Burden asking some pertinent questions while still giving school rep plenty of space to speak

OP posts:
WarriorN · 19/05/2023 08:02

FusionChefGeoff · 19/05/2023 07:59

I was pleased with this article, thought it was nicely balanced although yes the 39% willing to abandon all safeguarding principles and keep secrets from parents is worrying.

From the anecdata I've read on here, 10-20 "trans" children out of 1200 sounds low though?

There do seem to be schools and even areas where it's much more common.

Anecdotally, areas of the north east where I am don't seem to have had quite the same level of numbers that areas in the south have till recently.

LizzieSiddal · 19/05/2023 08:02

This has just been mentioned on R4, it’s second on their news headlines.

Malaiseybum · 19/05/2023 07:59

This was featured on R4 this morning (around 07:15).

Justin Webb asked some excellent questions to someone from the Association of school and college leaders. She was obviously wary of saying the wrong thing, but did clearly lay out the practical issues (sports, changing rooms, overnight trips).

FusionChefGeoff · 19/05/2023 07:59

I was pleased with this article, thought it was nicely balanced although yes the 39% willing to abandon all safeguarding principles and keep secrets from parents is worrying.

From the anecdata I've read on here, 10-20 "trans" children out of 1200 sounds low though?

Hoardasurass · 19/05/2023 07:31

WarriorN · 19/05/2023 06:42

And 39% of the secondary teachers who responded said they would support this, regardless of parental consent. (social transition)

That's a worrying figure

I hope that someone tells them that they will be personally liable when those kids grow up and start sueing people and by the parents for removing their parental rights without a court order.
I know that when I pointed this out to the rector and the activist teacher at my DS's school who was targeting all the asd kids in his school it put an immediate end to all the rainbow clubs and groups and the teacher in question is not allowed to work with the DAS

HipTightOnions · 19/05/2023 06:59

And 39% of the secondary teachers who responded said they would support this, regardless of parental consent. (social transition)

Presumably most of those would also disregard guidance too. I wonder how/if it will be communicated to staff? I expect that will depend very much on each headteacher's personal stance.

WarriorN · 19/05/2023 06:42

And 39% of the secondary teachers who responded said they would support this, regardless of parental consent. (social transition)

That's a worrying figure

WarriorN · 19/05/2023 06:20

A report into gender-identity services in England says socially transitioning may have significant psychological effects - and better information is needed about its outcomes. (Cass)

This is a woolly statement - needed to be clarified as the report it links to doesn't

WarriorN · 19/05/2023 06:16

Came to post this - Good point. Offering third spaces also could encourage those who find changing for pe stressful to use them by id as trans. At the same time it's the only way to make sure girls are protected.

There needs to be better honest teaching about sex v gender (for the teachers too Ffs!)

Genspect suggested that a public health campaign on the dangers of cross sex hormones and pbs could help kill some if the trend. I feel that message should be ensconced in educational safeguarding documents.