I'm going to be 'that' parent - re school policy omitting 'sex' in favour of gender

[elfycat]

I should have looked at the policy before now (have checked multiple policies in the local area) but the Secondary school DD1 attends has listed gender on the list of protected characteristics and not sex.

So I guess I have to contact them. I've found a copy of the DoE departmental guidance for schools ( listing sex correctly ) to quote. But this is the first letter of this kind I have written.

For anyone who has previously brought this kind of error to the attention of policy makers, what advice can you give me on what to include.

I was thinking of addressing it along the lines of -

I was looking shit up on your website
I noted that your shit wasn't right
Here's the DoE guidance on your shit
I would expect this error will be dealt with swiftly, 'coz it's an Act... like a law, right?
Could you please let me know the timetable you have for governors looking at policy shit, so I can keep my beady eye on ya.

Does that look about right for the paragraphs?

(now going to relook at other policies in local services)

@FemaleAndLearning :
"I have to tick other for my daughters."

Sorry to pry, but is that the 'protest vote' approach? If so, more power to you!

Yes, a protest. My daughter is female and does not have a gender identity. If there is space or a free text box I will write that.

Governing bodies need people like you. Please volunteer!

I've been using 'other' if a form says gender for a few months now.

Just found another local High school doesn't seem to have an Equalities policy at all. It only seems to have a Disability Equality policy - none for race, or sexual orientation, or gender reassignment for that matter has links to Stonewall and Mermaids amongst others, for advice on issues students may be having. I think I'll write a letter as a 'local parent' citing the Department for Education advice and asking them to clarify where I can fond their actual policy on this. I might even leave 'sex' out of my reacted list when voicing my concerns about their lack of policy with regards the EA2010.

I had to have a bit of a cross word with DH as he referred to this as my 'hobby'. I think he was referencing that I creatively write. But as there's no space ships, robots, zombies or magic systems, this is not my hobby kind of writing. I'm referring to this as part of 'house admin' as we have DDs to advocate for. He agreed.

Gender is a PC - Gender reassignment.

No. You can't use two different terms for the same thing, especially when you use one to replace another PC.

The PC is Gender Reassignment.
Sex is a PC.

Not Gender
Not Gender Identity

The law was carefully written by some people who knew how to word laws. It isn't up to anyone else to reinterpret them according to something they feel. The specific words used are core to the EA2010.

Being ‘that’ parent? Welcome to the club! And a fine club it is too.

Have you seen this campaign? sex-matters.org/take-action/send-guidance-to-school/

Well done @elfycat

I've just looked up the policy statements of some local schools. Conflating gender with sex is common.

Sadly, I'm aware that staff at these schools must have spent a huge amount of time composing and redrafting these policies.

Tragically, the result is often verbose piffle.

This might make me sound stupid .. so please be nice. Can someone explain this to me and why sex has to be used and not gender? I've seen it a few times in MN now

@HeArInGhandsgirl11 the equality act uses the word sex as the protected characteristic plus there is a separate protected characteristic of gender reassignment. When an individual or organisation uses the word gender to mean sex, (often because it’s seen as more polite) it confuses which legal category is being discussed/referred to. Accuracy in legal documents including forms, records and policy documents is important for organisations to ensure they are following the law of the land, especially if they are public bodies who need to demonstrate due diligence in their equality duty.

Ah okay thank you, makes sense. I will probably notice this now!

It should also be pointed out that some organisations may deliberately use gender so that they can justify providing mixed sex facilities. If something has been organised for people of the same gender, eg sleeping accommodation, this will not necessarily mean single sex , as a member of the opposite sex could say that they identify as that gender.
There is another thread on the board about NCS which highlights this problem.

Indeed.

and some well-meaning, polite but poorly worded policies that really are intended to mean single sex will be used to justify the presence of men and boys in places designated for women and girls only.

this is why we must raise it every time we see it

ditto

DH has previously said that he would 100% object if our DDs were put into mixed changing rooms or accommodation on a school trip. I pointed out that if the school policy says gender then they wouldn't be breaking their rules and he'd have a tougher battle to fight. Now the wording is 'sex' he'd have somewhere to attach any complaint or concern to.

I've just checked the school policy online and it has already been changed to sex. Full marks to the school for that.

Fantastic result.

Well done @elfycat