Are any schools getting the trans issue right?

[rhinowars]

I have sent my kids' secondary school the Transgender Trend schools toolkit as the they are in the process of putting together a transgender policy. The school has told me that they think the Transgender Trend info is one-sided, and seemed to particularly object to the 'no child is born in the wrong body' strapline on the website.

I understand the school has pressures coming from all sides, including parents, the local authority, and the kids themselves. And that they don't want to be accused of discriminating against the trans kids at the school - of whom there are many.

But I have so many concerns, not least the issue of social contagion (sooo many kids now identifying as trans). I fear that, by trying to support trans kids (and trying to avoid being accused of discrimination), the school is normalising the idea that gender is just a feeling, that anyone who doesn't fit certain gender stereotypes is probably transgender, etc etc.

I have asked for more info on how they teach and talk about gender. At the moment, I don't feel like they're promoting a balanced view. Given all the nonsense on social media, I would want the school try to counter this by encouraging some critical thinking.

Does anyone know of a school with a policy/approach that promotes this balance, rather than being too timid to tackle the issues?

@foxgoosefinch

I thought DfE guidance was now that children should not be taught the “born in the wrong body” idea? Not sure if that’s just primary or also secondary. Would be worth finding out and sending them the appropriate link.

Schools are not allowed to teach born in the wrong body.

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

"...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 ..."

@scoopydoopy

I am concerned about the one I work in. 2 trans members of staff who mentor the growing number of trans kids. One of those members of staff has a public Facebook page with memes about 'Terfs with no teeth'. Worrying.

Dear god that needs reporting! No staff member in charge of sensitive subject should be making overtly political and potentially threatening comments. Any school that ignored this would be like the Met ignoring misogynist jokes. If you are too scared to report it directly then take screen shots and get a proton email (free, easy to do and encrypted protonmail.com/ ) and send an email in to the head/ chair of governors/academy trust and copy it to Safe Schools Alliance and/or Family Education Trust. If school management wimp out then re-send copying in your local paper, and keep at it. This person should not be in charge of this element of the curriculum. We've got to stop putting up with this misogyny in plain sight.

I think we are getting it right. It does feel like a social contagion but the children involved feel very very strongly about it so do need a lot of support. We are trying to take as neutral an approach as possible without denying how they feel. We are going for minimising harm is to accept how they feel at the moment (always working with parents not behind their backs) but not making a big deal about it as we expect only a small percentage will actually turn out to be trans in adulthood.

Still using toilets divided by sex or individual toilets. OEAP have published some guidance on residential which we have found helpful.

Wish the DfE would just write a proper policy though rather than having to dig around for material in RSE policies etc.

@scoopydoopy

I am concerned about the one I work in. 2 trans members of staff who mentor the growing number of trans kids. One of those members of staff has a public Facebook page with memes about 'Terfs with no teeth'. Worrying.

No trans adults should be "mentoring" any children over trans issues. Let alone someone an anti women agenda. If children need additional support it should be for qualified competent therapy / counselling, not self interested adults getting involved. An incredible breach of professional boundaries.

@scoopydoopy

I am concerned about the one I work in. 2 trans members of staff who mentor the growing number of trans kids. One of those members of staff has a public Facebook page with memes about 'Terfs with no teeth'. Worrying.

That is a safeguarding concern. You can whistle blow anonymously to the DfE.

Thanks for the replies. I had no idea what to do about it without losing my job or causing masses of stress for myself/my family by potentially being hounded by people if they found out it was me.

Send the info anon to SSA and we will whistleblow for you. [email protected]

I'm amazed that anyone working in a school can get away with putting that sort of thing on Fb!
Do they not have the sign an agreement not to bring the schoolninto disrepute? I know it would be regarded as a very serious misdemeanour at my school.

@AsTreesWalking

I'm amazed that anyone working in a school can get away with putting that sort of thing on Fb! Do they not have the sign an agreement not to bring the schoolninto disrepute? I know it would be regarded as a very serious misdemeanour at my school.

I'm not sure. It is their 'personal' one but you can see it plain as day on there. Possible they haven't looked at their privacy settings or something. Or they don't care.