A Stonewall Champion School

[Stickerladiesoftheworldunite]

I need to contact my son's school regarding Stonewall.

The school (all boys until 6th form) has just announced it is a Stonewall Champion school.

My son is going into yr 8. He's already a critical thinker regarding religion and over the past few weeks we've discussed sex and gender.

I could just tell my son to approach lessons as he might a lesson on creationsim.

However, I am concerned that yet another school has been snared and hoodwinked by Stonewall and this madness has to stop. Schools need the full picture, the Transgendertrend packs, to make informed decisions.

How should I best approach the school?

Following with interest as a parent of a (very happy currently) somewhat gnc child.

I would always centre my inquiries, discussion, etc around safeguarding.

Ask what the implications for the safeguarding of children are. That it's a boys' school makes it a bit different from if it were mixed or all girls, but there are still massive issues regarding (for example) the Mermaids guidance to schools (which I'm guessing is central to this 'badge') because they encourage staff to keep confidences, etc (whereas a key principle of safeguarding is that this cannot happen).

Thanks.
I would like to know what Stonewall is advising. Apparently the teachers jave undergone training, but in what?

The safeguarding question is going to be high on the list as the secretive nature of such organisations completely disregards everything we tell children.

But I am curious as to what Stonewall advises and will endeavour to find out.

Our school is a 'Champion' school but AFAIK it just means someone has had training in anti-LGBT bullying.

Certainly gender recognition gets fairly short shrift in our Equality policy which says something like 'this isn't an issue in primary schools but if it were we'd seek advice'

Thanks Certain

Gives me hope that it won't be full on indoctrination.

Some of the Stonewall training is very good around bullying.

I'd be checking that the school are not reducing safeguarding - not telling adults to keep confidences about disclosures of 'transgender'.
Make sure that they're not introducing mixed sex toilets and changing rooms (they'll call them gender neutral). To have a few is not a problem but all schools MUST have sex segregated toilets and changing rooms.
Make sure that they're not actively promoting use of drugs on children below the age of consent.
Finally ask about what adults are they allowing access to children from organisations. Do these people have enhanced DBS certificates? Are they trained in safeguarding and to what level? Do they have backgrounds in child development and child psychology? If not, why are they being allowed direct access to children?
Maybe also ask who the school's insurance provider is and what is their level of public liability insurance? Let the school know you or other parents may wish to make a claim against the school if it turns out that dangerous advice is being offered by external groups intent of promoting their own political agenda rather than ensuring the welfare of children.
Let them know that you expect the school to exercise due diligence in relation to trans groups pushing their own personal agenda and if they don't, you'll take necessary action to protect your child / children.

Thanks - plenty to ponder on there.

I think I will start by asking what being a Stonewall Champion entails.

Their response will guide my questions, although I still want to voice my concerns over this organisation.

That's the right approach I think Stickerladies. I reckon we've all been too inclusive and accepting and it's only once you unpick what's actually happening with children that you realise the dangers. Trouble is, the Stonewall label makes everyone think LGB and educationally that's been fine. It's only since the extreme T demands have rocked up that we have a problem.
It's important that schools also engage their critical thinking and don't just accept that everything under the LGBTQABCDE....... etc etc umbrella is rainbow, unicorns and and flowers. As we're discovering, there are some sheltering under that umbrella who shouldn't be within a mile of children.

I don't know for sure in this instance but generally schools have to apply for these things and fill in lengthy evidence forms. It might be worth asking if this was the case and if you could read it?

www.stonewall.org.uk/get-involved/get-involved-education/secondary-schools/secondary-school-champions-programme

Ah I think if they get an award they'll have to apply.

I guess doing some digging through this will also help.

Interestingly there's a separate section called 'creating a trans inclusive school - secondary' but when you click on the course dates (£240!!) there's also a primary option.

I'd be interested in what this is.

At the same time, my primary wouldn't see it being worth £240. Especially if the transgender trend packs are free. (If they knew of them).

You could refer the School to this pack for this reason.

I must say, case studies are all regarding homophobia which I think is the main drive of this programme.

Ekphrasis
Agreed - much of the Stonewall materials are really good. It's a shame that their recent anti - women, anti lesbian reputation means that we now have to scrutinise their materials.

The case study around a girls school specifically talks about lesbians which is encouraging.

Thanks for the link. I will do some digging.

That's the thing - ordinarily I'd encourage teaching around homophobia, diversity and LGB education.

It's the T's attitudes towards women and children (and biology) that keeps me awake at night.

I think they have to adhere to this though I think it could be clearer on sex and gender.

The fact there's separate training in a way is encouraging- have they done the T training or just the general one ?

www.schools-out.org.uk/wp-content/files_mf/1384363550OFSTEDexploringschoolsactionstopreventhomophobicbullying.pdf

I'm noy sure what they've been trained in.

They snuck in a short tweet a
On the very last day of term, buried in a mass of tweets.

But it caught my eye and I knew I'd need to address it at the start of term.