What to ask son’s school re Stonewall RSE (in relation to Matt Hancock’s Stonewall tweet)

[SmallPug]

I’ve seen a lot about the Stonewall’s schools push and the new LGBT RSE curriculum. Obviously I’m totally for schools teaching kids that families can have two mums/ dads etc, but worried about “Gender Identity” and “being born in the wrong body” may be pushed alongside this. I’m unsure what questions I should be asking my son’s primary school about what they’re teaching. Can anyone - teachers etc - help with this? Worry it’ll sound like I’m coming across all Mary Whitehouse but I would like to know what they plan to teach. Haven’t seen any evidence of gender bollocks being pushed so far but think the new curriculum starts this year.

I'd want to know if they would be bringing any "dice" into the school.

Just ask for the lesson content. They should be willing to share it. If not, why not? If they decline and you want to push more gently I'd ask for the key messages and the methods of teaching.

Details of the curriculum should be there on the school's website for all to see. Keep pushing until they are.

As well as asking for the content, I would ask if they use any outside speakers and who they are.

First of all, I guess, ask the school what their content is and what resources they are using
“ School must publish policies for these subjects online and make them available to anyone free of charge. Schools should also share examples of resources, for example books and information leaflets, to help them engage and consult with parents.”

www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-and-relationships-and-sex-education-rse/introduction-relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education

Have I missed something? What was Matt Hancock's Stonewall tweet?

twitter.com/matthancock/status/1301783393974325249?s=21

This corgi

Reading that Matt Hancock Twitter thread there is so much genuine homophobia on there.

It really emphasises why the trans ideology (and indeed people who have more sinister intentions) have played such a blinder by riding on the coat tails of LGB. People who know nothing about this might look at this thread and dismiss anyone who had concerns as a homophobic bigot.

So 'I don't think children should be taught that if they don't conform to the stereotypes society places on their sex that there is something wrong with them' gets lumped in with 'God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve innit'.

Safer Schools Alliance has some useful letter templates you could adapt: safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/letter-templates/

I felt the same as you, was massively embarrassed but got invited in for a really good, sensible conversation and a tour through the (good, logical) materials our school uses.

Super, thanks. All really helpful. I thought that too, SoManyActitvities. People don’t want to be seen as bigots, so they don’t oppose it as it’s all lumped together. If you object, you look like a homophobe.

Hi, we (ssauk( have a template letter designed exactly for this:

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rsepshe-letter-template.docx

I'd want to know if they would be bringing any "dice" into the school.

It's not just leading children to believe that they can change sex, anymore. There is a lot to look out for.

I think the dice is senior school! Hope so anyway. Son is only year 2. Very much hoping things improve in high schools before he gets there!

Given the new curriculum I think there will be many parents with questions so please don't think you'll be the only one!

We (primary) send out RSE leaflets to let parents know what is being taught each term/year. In addition we invite parents of children in Years 4-6 in to talk in more detail about the puberty & sex ed aspects.
We always welcome feedback and questions from parents as it's so important to work together. In the past we've dealt with some concerns - some were for religious reasons and some were related to specific content. In each case we ask parents to come in and listen to their worries. We also talked through the resources and lesson plans so they knew exactly what was being taught.

I know I can only talk about my experiences but at no stage were the parents judged at all about their concerns as that would have been a) inappropriate and b) plain unprofessional.

I too was thinking about this today following Matt Hancock's tweet so thanks for starting the thread and for the letter templates from other pp - I'll be sending them to my DC's high schools on Monday.

2fallsagain Would you have a post that I could share on facebook? Not many of my friends are on MN so would like to share it wider.

Does this work? It's long but has a whole load of stuff included!

www.facebook.com/2235615356752705/posts/2613448405636063/?extid=vaSTqslfMZhEJZGc&d=n

I used info from the safe schools alliance when our school asked for feedback on the new curriculum. Didn't get a single reply to any of the questions. This thread has reminded me to resend the email.

What did Hancock's tweet say? I don't have access to twitter.

If you follow the link in Matt Hancock's tweet, Stonewall state as facts:

"84% of trans young people have self-harmed. For lesbian, gay, and bi young people who aren’t trans, 61% have self-harmed"

"45% of trans young people have attempted to take their own life. For lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren’t trans, 22% have attempted to take their own life"

There is no attempt that I can see to back up these figures. In one of the school guides they also say that 2 in 5 trans children have attempted suicide, again with no source.

This constant reiteration that suicide attempts are due to identity rather than to any mh issues children may have is very worrying. Suicidal and self-harming children need psychological support.