School RHE policy

[namechange12451245]

Hi all,

Name changed here.

I asked for a copy my DDs' Year 8 and 9 RSE course content. The programme has been put together using the guidelines provided to schools by the Department for Education and the two providers that they are using to provide training, advice and resources to schools; namely The PSHE Association and The Sex Education Forum.

It's fine, a few things I didn't like but no pink brain blue brain you might be born in the wrong body nonsense.

Couple of slides I'm not so sure on though, the usual conflating of sex and gender, and they need to be clearer about homosexuality be about same sex attraction etc.

But I don't want to push things as the school are currently being great wrt to my daughter's mental health.. I also don't want them to change what they have if it ends up moving in the direction of 'gender and identity'. What are your thoughts on this?

Hmmm looking at it again I think the message is innocuous enough, just the wording is clumsy.

The rest of the content is fairly straight forward and innocent. Feminism and racism and exploring the history of. This is pretty much the only content on sex.

It's good that's it's mostly fine OP, it's reassuring to know there are still some sex Ed classes that broadly fit with what I personally would be fine with, after the horror stories this seems to be ok.

The identity bit I have a problem with as I don't think you're sexual orientation is your identity but I sort of see what they are getting at. I see someone's identity as their personality, as in, we are all unique and can be ourselves etc but your identity can be quite complex. I am a woman and my identity is mostly dominated by being a mum because my child is my priority. I don't identify as being heterosexual I just am, if that makes sense. Others may argue differently.

It may seem picky to challenge on this point as you are generally really happy with the school as you say but perhaps you could ask about what this part is meant to express or just for further clarity, if you feel the need.

Identity is a word that is bandied around so casually these days I do think it has lost all meaning, like gender has or like 'lived experience'. Buzz words and catchphrases can be easily misinterpreted because the meaning is diluted, particularly with children who are generally see things black and white.

I'm very GC, but I worry if I question this it will make the school ask questions of the wrong people. Sounds a bit lame I know. If anyone has any gentle suggestions to change this language I'd be grateful!