Schools refusing to stop signposting to stonewall

[Cleanmean]

I messaged my dc school last month outlining my concerns with them signposting to stonewall. I used info from the safe schools alliance and was very comprehensive with my reasoning. I asked the school to consider alternative resources.

The school came back to me to say they'd reviewed the info sent by they and do not accept that their affiliation with stonewall contravenes any safeguarding or dfe guidelines. So disappointed. They don't seem to have looked into the issue at all and seem to be suggesting that I'm being bigoted! I wonder how many schools/trusts have distance themselves recently. Is there any way of finding out?

Well done for writing Cleanmean. Who was the letter from - the Head or a more junior member of staff? Maybe now ask for specific details of how this political lobby group that campaigns to remove rights from girls - to single sex sport, showers, changing rooms and toilets are influencing school policy and practice?

Another question to ask is for the school to specify how much ££, staff time and curriculum time they are spending on the other protected characteristics and which external groups they are paying to advise the school? Include disability, race, religion and age - all of which will apply to pupils.

You could also consider making a formal complaint dependent on the results of additional queries?

It's so exhausting and stressful. I was really expecting a more nuanced, considered reply. I'm actually fuming they suggested I'm not being tolerant. The response came from the Trust as a whole/CEO.

Do they use gender instead of sex in their policies? Check Equalities, Bullying policies. Perhaps ask for balance so to include things like, LGB Alliance and Bayswater Support group to any recommended sites in their policies. Also there should always be a Domestic Violence phone number/site for girls. Do they allow boys who identify as girls to use single sex facilities or vice versa. Don't give up this is so important.

Sadly this isn't surprising at all. It's a long uphill battle when all teacher training and resources say Stonewall good; any criticism of Stonewall bigoted. Please do keep fighting, but it will be a long slog.

This is a common thing.

I see something very similar at the public library where I work. It's not at all intentional, but the majority of the people who work there, including the leadership, just have a huge mental block, almost a taboo, around thinking that organizations like SW could be problematic.

SW doesn't exist here but we have another, somewhat similar organization. I can say categorically that it does not represent the views of all or even most gay and lesbian people - they have fallen deep into the well of queer theory and have a lot of views that are anti-scientific, bizarre, and offensive to quite a few.

And yet if you were to suggest that the material they put out is problematic the only reason you might be doing that is bigotry. A library patron could say anything, even point out a factual issue, and that would be the response. Because they have over the years been so carefully indoctrinated by the media and schools with the idea that any opposition or questioning of what they say stems from bigotry and probably religious prejudice, and these days there is often the assumption that the alt-right is somehow involved.

For you in the UK I would suggest sending them that documentary podcast on SW.

It's such an uphill struggle. We have a fairly woke leadership team so I ask surprised they've not even properly considered the info sent. Just a blanket 'if you criticise SW or any trans ideology you are intolerant' approach. I mean even ofsted have left SW. Their allies are dropping every day, yet schools are not interested in looking further into organisations they promote and signpost to.

I'm going to keep going but I know from the response that I'll be banging my head against a brick wall. And I do feel like I've put my head above the parapet now and will be known to the school as a busybody. I won't give up though.....

From The Times today - could be helpful:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a3c27a26-8f67-11ec-8d28-50e05b644342?shareToken=330cd3cf9729675aafd546f7c1d8be7c

Read that article earlier Crouton and wondered if the Unions have been getting feedback from teachers, those teachers who are uncomfortable with GI and BLM because although Unions point out the possible impact on free speech, they are not as forceful as I would have expected. Interesting times

@Cleanmean @Crouton19 @highame

RSE planning has also been updated:

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

Other links on political impartiality:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools

www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-support-to-safeguard-political-impartiality-in-schools

Looking at the new guidance it appears possible that every single lobby group that abuses others for failing to agree with their ideology will be unemployable by schools: Look at the following (edited for brevity)

Schools are responsible for ensuring that speakers, tools, and resources do not undermine the fundamental British values including:
mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Schools should not under any circumstances work with, or use materials produced by, external agencies that take extreme political positions on these matters. This is the case even if the material itself is not extreme, as the use of it could imply endorsement or support of the organisation.

Examples of extreme political positions include, but are not limited to:

opposition to the right of freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly or freedom of religion and conscience
engaging in or encouraging active or persistent harassment or intimidation of individuals in support of their cause
promoting divisive narratives that seek to justify serious criminal activity, including violent action against people, criminal damage to property, hate crime or terrorism
the encouragement or endorsement of serious criminal activity, including where organisations fail to condemn criminal actions that have been committed in their name or in support of their cause, including violent action against people, criminal damage to property, hate crime or terrorism

Working with such organisations is not compatible with schools’ requirements to actively promote fundamental British values

Does this guidance also cover colleges, does anyone know?