Trans training at work

[Debroglie]

The trans train has arrived (with stonewall help) at my workplace (a secondary school) and we are having training on using things like ‘assigned at birth’ and ‘cisgender’ can I refuse to participate on the basis that it is in opposition to my beliefs?
I know I probably can’t but my blood is boiling! Especially for all my lovely gay and lesbian students who will be vulnerable to this crazy brainwashing.
I don’t know what I’m asking but I feel so completely powerless. As a science teacher I have spent my career fighting the idea of ‘lady-brain’ only to find myself now compelled to preach the exact opposite message!

It’s worth going just to keep an eye on the batshittery I suppose. Sorry.

Depending on how much Stonewall are actually getting involved, can you express concern that Nancy Kelley has called lesbians ‘sexual racists’ or mention the Nolan podcasts?

I think it would be good to ask a few questions about how this fits within the DofE guidance on lobby groups etc. Also I'd be checking that they have made the governors aware - as a governor I would want the heads up and I would be all over it like a rash so hopefully there is at least one GC governor for your school.
I'm sure someone with much more knowledge will be along to offer advice.

Yes I will go to keep an eye as much as I can but it’s really stressful for me and I am not well anyway.
Good idea about contacting the governors. I’m a little worried that it could destroy my career so I might see if I can get a parent to do it for me.

One of my kids had a phse lesson recently...

He pulled the teacher up on presenting opinion as fact.

I've impressed upon him the need to be respectful and mindful especially of vulnerable people with mental health issues but I'm happy he's also taken on board my lessons in critical thinking

He didn't say people shouldn't have opinions, just that they shouldn't be presented as fact.

Re Stonewall can you bring attention to the fact that many government agencies and the BBC are now dropping their association with Stonewall? If the school is just signing up with them now they are rather behind the curve and need to give it a swerve.

We had the Stonewall training a young transman came in and spoke to us about his experiences. Nothing wrong with that then came all the BS.

I took one of the trainers aside, who happened to be black, and asked him if he was offended by cultural appropriation. He said he was very much offended and then asked him if he could understand that many cis women were offended by the appropriation of their sex by men.
This went down like a lead balloon and I am in doubt that when it comes to career advancement well?

FFS! Schools should not taking advice from Stonewall! I'm not surprised your blood is boiling. Please, please complain straight the Head, here's some material to help you:

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/2021/02/14/is-your-childrens-school-a-stonewall-champion/

www.transgendertrend.com/product/stonewall-schools-guidance-a-critical-review/

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4411027-Stonewall-advising-our-secondary-school

Keep posting if you need more support. And if you are friendly with any parents, get them to complain too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Thanks leaf I just posted on your thread in staffroom.
I am scared to go to the head in case that’s the end of my employment (although this may be the hill I am prepared to die on)

@Debroglie

Thanks leaf I just posted on your thread in staffroom. I am scared to go to the head in case that’s the end of my employment (although this may be the hill I am prepared to die on)

It is outrageous that you fear losing your job just because you disagree with an ideology.

Debroglie, I have not rthft so someone else might have said this already but
there is another thread on this board “Anyone willing to share their experience of gender ideology in schools” where
Someone has recently posted a very useful link to Safe Schools Alliance’s leaflet about how schools could be misinterpreting and breaking the law. It goes through, point by point with evidence. I wonder if that might help, if you haven’t seen it already?

Et voila : safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/redflagsa4.pdf

I think this is the one Scrolling means.

@Debroglie you cannot lose your job if you go about this based on law and fact. The Forstater case protects you.

@Debroglie safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/redflagsa4.pdf
Here it is. I am sure you will find this useful.

I am sure many parents would be horrified if they realised what is going on.

So sorry you are not very well.

BBC Sounds - Nolan Investigates - Available Episodes

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p09yjmph

Thank you LeafStamp crossed post

Thanks. I need to have a think about what to do.

There's a section here on external agencies: www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum

And also this paragraph under Ensuring Content is Appropriate:

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.

@Debroglie I'm guessing you're a physics teacher from that username. What do your biology-teaching colleagues think about this? I always hated delivering any PSHE because I didn't think I was qualified to comment anyway!

I am physics but I do teach biology too. I am very clear in my lessons that there is no place for belief systems that are not evidence-based in science. I can control the message in my classroom and hide behind the science national curriculum but it’s the whole-school stuff that I’m finding difficult to live with

I’m slightly scared to ask my biology colleagues because I really think they’ll be on board with the whole trans thing

Do you know if there are any children at your school who say they are trans or non-binary?

Would you be able to tape the training sessions?

We’ve got loads of trans and non binary students. According to our 6th formers the biggest issue in school is teachers not using the correct pronouns or avoiding using pronouns / new names altogether.
The training is taped because COVID.

excellent if taped !

I think what you need are a few pointed questions, along the lines of ...
so...let me get this straight, are you saying people can ACTUALLY change sex..? but how can that be? ....
or, one I asked myself,
I'm a bit puzzled really, why the 'T' belongs with LGB...ah, um, er, it seems to be SUCH a different issue, doesn't it, not to do with sexuality at all, really? Is there something I'm not getting here?

I'm sure people can think of others...

I just ask awkward but literal questions. Eg so how does the assignment take place, is there a quota each day? Is it a midwife or doctor decision? What about the pregnancy scans? Etc etc