Son's Secondary school renewing STONEWALL membership. I'm devastated, please advise.

[WeeTorag]

The HEAD OF SAFEGUARDING called today to inform me that they were planning to renew their membership with an organisation KNOWN FOR DISMISSING CHILD SAFEGUARDING! You couldn't make it up.

But despite my months of communicating with them, sharing links, articles, recommending Transgender Trend and SSA etc, all for nothing, because (supposedly) the majority of the teachers feel it would be good to use their resources and get the (dreaded) training. I've explained that Stonewall are widely considered to be an aggressive, high politicised pressure group with a narrow, but extremely controversial agenda and that the new DofE guidelines advice against using groups like this for teaching materials.

But I'm wondering if there's something fishy going on. Maybe one or two of the teachers also have an agenda. I've not met any of them in person, my son is only in Y7, so can't judge very well. I also don't believe that I'm the only parent concerned but because STONEWALL have harvested their #NODEBATE culture, they're probably too scared to raise it with the school. Anyway, I'm going to start the official complaint procedure with an email to the Head Teacher. Any advice? Any snippets I can include in my email? I'm struggling to think straight, I feel like I've really failed on this. :-(

Thanks, x

Well done WeeTorag. That's great.

It's another small step when you can have a discussion with someone who listens to the actual issues. Of course, today's outcome in the initial stages of the Alison Bailey case will inevitably raise concerns in schools about allying too closely to an organisation like Stonewall that allegedly uses tactics of intimidation. Of course, we need to see how the court case pans out but the judge was clear that there was a case to answer.

Amazing result!

Definitely consider becoming a governor. As much as it's a pain in the arse, we need to take a leaf out of the anti-woman activist's playbook and take up the positions of influence that mean action is effective.

Well done, that’s really significant and provides a good way forward for parents to tackle other schools. The Head may still insist on going ahead but if they do it’s worth getting your points minuted in a Board of Governors meeting.

We’ve all found talking to other people is useful but it’s more limited at present, we need to get involved in positions like school governors and charity trustees to ensure we’re in the right place to put the sex based rights view.

I had taken the improvement in women’s rights in my lifetime for granted a little, I’ve had some battles along the way but its been a side issue until I came here. I think it’s time to step up more.

Well done, hope you're enjoying a well earned glass of something tonight

Nice work WeeTorag

Great work. Am seriously impressed.

Well done OP!
It would be good if many more parents contacted schools to raise their concerns/questions about RSE teaching and Safeguarding, Stonewall and other related issues. I am a school governor and it would find it really helpful if I wasn't the only one constantly catching this stuff (and coming accross as though it was a personal crusade rather than something many parents cared about).

Oh well done WeeTorag.

Fab news

Brilliant please become a governor

Well done WeeTorag that's great. Is Helen Staniland on here? Love that you asked the question!

well done

Wee that is absolutely brilliant work and just goes to show how people unthinkingly nod along to ‘be kind’ and the wider implications just don’t occur to them

Excellent work, & yes you should definitely go for governor! 🍷

Wow. I missed this thread originally. Well done OP and yes please do become a governor.

Please name change when you do, and add TheGuvnor to your name.

Well done.

@BuntingEllacott

Please name change when you do, and add TheGuvnor to your name.

Thanks everyone. I will keep you all updated.

And @BuntingEllacott that's really funny, I might just do that! 😂 Being a Governor sounds very grown up and responsible but I think it's important that as many of us as possible are on the inside keeping schools in check, so I'm going to seriously consider it. For the cause as well as the kids.

That's good to hear WeeTorag. I was a primary school parent governor before moving counties. It was really enlightening and interesting, I'd recommend doing it. It's great that you've been able to have a positive effect already!

Well done OP! To paraphrase...

“ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good women do nothing”