Spending more on boys' sports breaks the law

[hackmum]

I'm encouraged by this story:

www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jun/28/spending-more-on-boys-sports-teams-breaks-law-schools-told

Not only is it good that schools will now have to spend as much on girls' sport as boys' sport, the story repeatedly uses terms such as "single-sex" and "different sexes". There's only one "gender" in the whole story!

The full guidance document is worth reading. Only one reference to gender other than in the title, which is referencing "gender affected activity" from the Equality Act 2010. Although that's an unfortunate name, the definition is clear that it's about sex, not gender identity:

A gender-affected activity is a sport, game or other activity of a competitive nature in circumstances in which the physical strength, stamina or physique of average persons of one sex would put them at a disadvantage compared to average persons of the other sex as competitors in events involving the activity.

It's a good isn't it hackmum
And the full guidance document also reminds schools that it they MUST provide single sex toilets and washing facilities for children over 8 (now those schools that have moved to gender neutral toilets for all will have to return some of these back to single sex use).

I also thought the following was worth noting with some schools going down the gender neutral toilets:
13.It is permissible for toilet and boarding accommodation facilities to be separate as they are captured under existing statutory exceptions. Separate toilet and washing facilities must be provided for boys and girls aged 8 years and over pursuant to Regulation 4 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, which falls within the exemption provided for in Schedule 22 of the Equality Act 2010. With regards to boarding accommodation, Schedule 23 of the Equality Act 2010 allows for separation by sex providing the same standard of accommodation is provided for both boys and girls.

Would it be better to widen the definition to leisure / activities funding to include things such as dance rather than just sport (or other activities that some girls might find more interesting than sport?)

Not if that weakens funding for women's sports.
It would be better to offer alternate physical activities to sports for all children, but from a separate budget and as a separate activity. Sporty kids could opt out of that and use if for training time if they want.