PSHE sex and relationships in schools

[Whatifitallgoesright]

Can someone explain to me how the govt can announce last year

"We are aware that topics involving gender and biological sex can be complex and sensitive matters to navigate. You should not reinforce harmful stereotypes, for instance by suggesting that children might be a different gender based on their personality and interests or the clothes they prefer to wear. Resources used in teaching about this topic must always be age-appropriate and evidence based. Materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used and you should not work with external agencies or organisations that produce such material. While teachers should not suggest to a child that their non-compliance with gender stereotypes means that either their personality or their body is wrong and in need of changing, teachers should always seek to treat individual students with sympathy and support."
and yet this is in their suggested teaching resources?
www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/getting_started_-_a_toolkit_for_secondary_schools.pdf

wherein it doesn't use the word biological anywhere in any definition of sex (which it says is assigned at birth), uses sex and gender interchangebly, when it talks of EQ2010 it only mentions sexual orientation and gender reassignment not sex, and has Gendered Intelligence and Mermaids as resources to refer people to.

I've had notification from my school of a meeting on Monday to discuss their RSE plans so I don't know yet if they use the Stonewall. Anyone else had to deal with this yet this year?

I opened the link. This isn't the government. This is Stonewall dated 2015 on tackling phobic bullying.

Not had this yet, no.

The Head did email me back however, stating that (as you probably know) the curriculum got kicked back until summer this year due to Covid - so it's in the next few weeks that schools will be consulting with parents on it.

I was concerned, however the report from the Tavistock as well as the other one that Michael Laidlaw helped force to reverse their conclusions, along with government guidance, means that I can be perfectly factual - rather than opinionated - in any discussion.

I just emailed and said look at the new guidelines. Are you using stonewall, if so ofsted will need to know.

They don’t use stonewall. They agreed to send me all lesson plans and resources ASAP. They agreed to amend the equality policy in line with the law.

Don’t treat the meeting as a discussion or negotiation. Schools are paid to teach our kids. Think of them as an employee. Approach it the same way you would if disciplining an employee who didn’t stick to their job description.

This is the guidelines/laws/ofsted safe guarding advice. A month is a reasonable time scale for you to update your policy/send me all lesson plans/address safe guarding training. If not ofsted/LEA/council will be informed.

It’s very easy to say clearly but politely. It’s often easier for teachers if you go above their heads this way- means they don’t need to worry about being called a bigot if they bring it up. Politely reminding them there’s appropriate avenues if they don’t adhere to their job means the descion is out if their hands.

Safe school alliance has template letters. Transgender trend is great. As is lgb allience.

Start with the basics. Check out all the school online policies on equality and bullying etc. Do they use gender or sex? I managed to get my primary school to use sex (as they should) but also to get them to understand why it was crucial. So the policy originally said puberty would be discussed with a teacher of same gender now it says sex.
Safe School Alliance have a red flag document that is useful.
Also my school chose to not 'go above and beyond' if your school is going above and beyond what time and resources are they spending on this and what subjects are they not spending this money on?
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/

My son's secondary have just sent out the weekly Pupil's Newsletter with this in it:

".....February is LGBTQA+ History month.
LGBTQA+ rights in the UK have come a long way in recent history, with Section 28 being repelled in 2003, the Gender Recognition Act being passed in 2004 and same sex marriage being legalised in 2013. However, these rights continue to be under threat in the UK, particular for Black and Transgender members of the community.
So this year, Stonewall has announced that Education will be its theme for LGBTQA+ History Month."

They are such a massive Academy chain, who notoriously don't really care what people think. I don't really know where to start?

Hi @Whatifitallgoesright this is something I'm dealing with right now. In fact I began requesting the material last June, before my Son even started at this secondary school (also an academy). I was specifically asking about the gender ideology material they planned to teach, asking to see it, who provided it etc. I got fobbed off a lot and told not to worry etc. Then one of the teachers happened to mention that they were a Stonewall Champ but their membership had lapsed. So that moved the goal posts somewhat, as you can imagine. I've since set about discrediting Stonewall, pleading with them not to renew. Sadly they plan to. Upshot is I've had to formally complain to the Governors about this but I couldn't let it lie.

During a couple of phone calls with the Head, I've explained that, as per the DfE guidelines, they MUST consult with the parents on this stuff, especially the RSE material. I don't think they ever have. Anyway, the Head sent through some RSE "slides" a couple weeks ago and the gender Ideology one was missing! I enquired as to whether they were waiting to work with Stonewall to compose on that lesson plan and he denied it. So I'm SILL non the wiser about the content of the RSE lessons.

My complaint has today been acknowledged by the Chair (my original email/letter was crammed to the gunnels with info/links/attachments) so I'm keen to see how he deals with it. I daren't feel too positive!

Good luck with everything and keep us posted. :-)

BobbyShafto

One useful way into this is to ask the school to clarify what proportion of resources are being spent on tackling issues amongst all the protected characteristic groups? Ask how much £££, staff time and curriculum time are being devoted to race, disability / special needs, sex discrimination and harassment etc. What comparative school data are they using to confirm that discrimination, bullying and underachievement amongst the LGBT ++ community at the school is the most pressing priority?

I'd also ask them to explain why they're quoting Stonewall ? Are they aware that Stonewall advocate for girls being forced to participate in sports like rugby with boys regardless of safety and fairness alongside being forced to undress / shower for swimming and PE lessons in in front of boys self identifying as girls.
I'd ask for a cast iron guarantee that this will not be happening in your school.