What is the DfE guidance on gender identity etc these days?

[Taswama]

DS (year 10) had an assembly the other day where they said things such as 'you can be born in the wrong body'. They were told to contact Stonewall or Childline if they had any concerns.
He knows perfectly well this is nonsense but does not understand why the school is promoting/ supporting it.
I thought the DfE had issued new guidance on this.
Does anyone know what this and have a link?
Also, if this is contrary to their guidance, any ideas where to direct a complaint? Headteacher? Safeguarding lead?

Any help appreciated.

You're right OP - nobody should tell children they could be "born in the wrong body". Since the government told schools this, all the activist trans groups are frantically denying that they've ever said it - but of course all the evidence shows Stonewall, Mermaids and the rest have been gaslighting children with this rubbish for years.

The organisation you need is Safe Schools Alliance for a safeguarding schools focus. And please object. So many schools have been captured by these groups. In many cases, it needs schools being reminded by parents of what the law and safeguarding actually requires for children's wellbeing and safety to be prioritised.

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/

As an aside, in the safeguarding review of the incident where the Black girl was made to strip naked in front of 2 police officers it commented that school staff "deferred to the authority" of police officers behaving illegally. This is another area where schools, completely out of their depth, defer to the supposed authority of these expert groups, who have no qualifications in child development, child psychology, emotional health and wellbeing or education.

This link is worth reading for an overview of the psychological harm being done to children being socially transitioned by often well meaning adults:

www.transgendertrend.com/childhood-social-transition/

It's all on the government website education pages.

Schools must not teach 'born in the wrong body' bullshit or tell children that non conformity to sex role stereotypes mean they are trans.

I would complain direct to the DfE, OP.

They need to realise that schools have been sufficiently politicised that they're doing this regardless of the DfE in the manner of evangelizing. And this is something the DfE need to urgently get on top of, and will be reliant on parents informing that schools are acting in defiance of the guidance, and helping those parents take action. As well as enforcing the school to take follow up action to let the children know a more balanced picture, and that information shared was confusing and factually incorrect. And apologising to the parents that they made this cock up.

I'd also copy in your MP. They need to realise that this is happening and that the guidance is making little difference in protecting children from political messaging by adults in schools. And that this is harm done by lobby groups.

It's here OP:

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

"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.
You should work together with parents on any decisions regarding your school’s treatment of their child, in line with the school’s safeguarding policy and the statutory guidance on working together to safeguard childrenn_."

Also in that link:

"Ofsted school inspectors will evaluate the provision for relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education in line with the school inspection handbookk_ and in the context of this guidance.

Independent schools are required to teach personal, social, health and economic (PHSE) education."

The problem is that it is nigh on impossible to teach about gender identity without reinforcing stereotypes or suggesting a child can be in the wrong body. Please do complain using all the resources listed, some schools really listen (dds primary school totally get it), while others are a nightmare and will jump to the conclusion you're a bigot. Parent power is a strong tool though, we need parents to keep complaining and keep going until no more children are harmed by this.

@MsGoodenough

The problem is that it is nigh on impossible to teach about gender identity without reinforcing stereotypes or suggesting a child can be in the wrong body. Please do complain using all the resources listed, some schools really listen (dds primary school totally get it), while others are a nightmare and will jump to the conclusion you're a bigot. Parent power is a strong tool though, we need parents to keep complaining and keep going until no more children are harmed by this.

Indeed. And it is so odd that the extreme right and the extreme left both now agree on how playing with dolls means that the child doing so is a girl. This is a big step backwards for women's rights.

Thanks all.

I can complain to the DFE but shouldn't I be complaining to the school too? For DfE is the relevant minister the right person?

Definitely complain direct to the school. I'd do that as a first step as the dfe will just send you a standard cut and paste response. Engaging directly with the school is really important IMHO. Lots of guidance and template letters on the safe schools alliance website.

They need to realise that schools have been sufficiently politicised that they're doing this regardless of the DfE in the manner of evangelizing.

There's a good chance that the teachers involved don't even realise they're doing it. The PSHE lead will probably be aware of the DfE guidance but your common-or-garden teacher probably has no idea.

I'm afraid it's worse than that. I'm a PSHE teacher and, going by our FB pages, most PSHE teachers are thoroughly steeped in GI. Even with the new DfE guidance most will argue that e.g. the Gender Unicorn follows it as it separates 'gender expression' from 'gender identity' and therefore doesn't reinforce stereotypes. When anyone asks for resources on LGBTQ+ the usual suspects are always recommended: Stonewall, Mermaids, Proud Trust, Diversity Role Models. The belief that LGB Alliance, Transgendertrend and SSA are transphobic is widespread. I try to spread some alternative viewpoints on the group but it's an uphill struggle.

The DfE has been helpful in producing the guidance, but then when pushed on enforcing it, they pass the buck and say it is up to the schools.

Complain to the school first (follow their complaints policy) - the DfE won't look at your complaint unless you've already gone through the school's process.

Sorry to hop on. But what’s the best route if you find out your children’s school loos, changing rooms and school strip sleeping arrangements have gone ‘mixed gender’ not mixed sexed?

School then Governors, then D of E or Ofsted?

MP no use.

Here you are bobthebuilderofstars . Safe Schools Alliance have factsheets to cover this - including one about the law and sinlge sex toilets, changing rooms etc:

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/factsheets/

And yes - school complaints system first but if you're aware of actual safegaurding issues about this and children in distress then you could make a complaint to Ofsted.
The law says children over the age of 8 are entitled to single sex toilets, changing etc. And there are restrictions in terms of design about mixed sex facilities. The factsheets from Safe Schools cover all this.

That's depressing @ValancyRedfern .

Thanks @JoanOgden , I will look up their complaints procedure.

nice ! Thanks