DfE guidelines re what schools are teaching

[CervixSampler]

Dds have spent lots of time recently being told that cis is a thing, that people can change sex, that people can change their sex on their birth certificate, that gay relationships are not allowed to be discussed, no one is allowed to use the word gay and so on. I will seek some clarification from school but am not sure how to go about this? Does anyone have any links to the DfE guidelines on teaching this subject please?
Dd has previously been warned at school for saying people can't change sex and branded transphobic.

Regardless of the teaching, if your dd has been warned by the school about saying people can't change sex, it might be worth pointing out the Maya Forstater case to them.

And wtaf - people aren't allowed to talk about gay relationships or mention the word gay??!!

The link to the guidelines is here:

www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum

OP, if this is true then your DD has been seriously let down. Please have a good look around here:

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/factsheets/#DfE_Non-Statutory_Guidance_on_PSHE_and_RSE_Curriculum_Planning

www.transgendertrend.com/schools-resources/

And for some more general background reading: sex-matters.org/posts/updates/schools-guidance/

The Forstater case has, in my opinion, established that the concept of gender identity (including defining words like cis) should not be taught as a fact that everyone must agree with.

There are general rules/legislation that say teachers must teach things that are evidenced based and must not teach with political agendas.

Why are gay relationships not allowed to be discussed? Is this deliberate erasure too?

I really can't believe what you're saying Op. I thought schools were being brought back into line because I think Ofsted would rate the school badly. Perhaps the school is taking its teaching curriculum from twitter? Maybe they've employed a teacher without checking whether they have qualifications

www.google.com/amp/s/schoolsweek.co.uk/cancel-culture-gender-stereotypes-and-extreme-political-stances-what-new-dfe-guidance-says-about-rse/amp/

Guidance is non statutory. That means they don't have to teach it but if they do they need to follow this guidance.

School is in the wrong. Worth getting a meeting with lead sre teacher to find out if it's school wide or just one member of staff.

Our school is inviting xomment on their pshe topics. I noticed one was gender identity..

Thank you for all the links, I'm going to have a good read of them tomorrow and take it from there. The school have LGBTQA+ week in Spring and then there's the whole pride month too.

@highame

I really can't believe what you're saying Op. I thought schools were being brought back into line because I think Ofsted would rate the school badly. Perhaps the school is taking its teaching curriculum from twitter? Maybe they've employed a teacher without checking whether they have qualifications

Unfortunately the DfE guidance has made little to no difference on the ground. Schools are still using misleading and harmful materials and most teachers are on board with it in the spirit of 'be kind'. Any teacher standing up to it is very brave. (I don't have the nerve right now as management likes to accuse anyone who criticises anything of being a bully).

I think a lot depends on the individual teacher. PHSE is not popular to get lumbered with so anyone 'willing' to take it on is given it (no one askes why they want it)

And whatever reasources are used, the teacher can say what they like in class.

If your school is an academy it is worth checking the funding agreement, there could be a couple of useful clauses in there

In my experience schools have just been provided with a reinterpretation of the guidance which allows them to continue teaching in the way they were doing before.

Absolutely Thomas. All the usual suspects such as Gender read, Stonewall, Just Like Us, Jigsaw market their materials as compliant with the new DfE guidance.

E.g. I know PSHE teachers who will argue the Genderbread person doesn't reinforce gender stereotypes because it separates gender identity from gender expression. Job done.

Unfortunately the DfE guidance has made little to no difference on the ground. Schools are still using misleading and harmful materials and most teachers are on board with it in the spirit of 'be kind'. Any teacher standing up to it is very brave.

Couldn’t agree more. Most teachers who are instructed to deliver these lessons are unaware the guidance even exists.

I just did a sex ed cover on contraception for year 10, and was happy to see the remote teacher saying "We understand that we sometimes discuss people with different genders, but when I say female in this lesson, I am talking about people who have the female reproductive system."

@Glwysen

If your school is an academy it is worth checking the funding agreement, there could be a couple of useful clauses in there

Is this typically published on the Academy website or can I request it do you know?

@Nellodee that’s reassuring on one hand - that teachers are being clear and scientifically accurate. But how the he’ll did we get the point where the word “female” meant anything else.

This erosion or meaningful language is horrifying.

It is for the reason I am no longer saying transwomen or trans women. They are transgender males. (And vice versa for females who choose to transition, they are transgender females).

Hi Leafstamp - it should be published on their website. Usually under Governance Documents or similar

Extract of some clauses from the model agreement for a single academy trust below

2.1. The Academy Trust must not allow any view or theory to be taught as evidence-based if it is contrary to established scientific or historical evidence and explanations. This clause applies to all subjects taught at the Academy.

2.2. The Academy Trust must prevent political indoctrination, and secure the balanced treatment of political issues, in line with the requirements for maintained schools set out in the Education Act 1996, and have regard to any Guidance.

2.3. The Academy Trust must ensure the Academy actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

2.47A The Academy Trust must ensure the Academy promotes principles that support equality of opportunity for all.

2.52. The Academy Trust must comply with paragraph 2A of the Schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 in relation to the provision of Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education.

Thanks @Glwysen

I’m having real trouble finding anything like that on my DC school Academy website.

Would you mind if I DM’d you?

Yes no problem.