Primary school new RSE policy including "trans children"

[Useruser1]

This has come to review for me as a governor. Included in the year 5 section:

"However, special consideration and sensitivity will be needed for any pupils who identify as being transgender. Throughout teaching this topic, it is acknowledged that there is the possibility that a person can identify as a gender different from that assigned to them at birth."

I can feel myself having a panic attack at the thought of raising this but I know I need to. I DO NOT want children in my school being told girls who want to be boys can be.
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/schools-resources-and-policies/

The most obvious point to make is that "gender" is not "assigned" at birth. A baby's sex is observed and recorded, so that's it. It's probably a good idea if educational materials don't include outright untruths.

Good luck Op @Useruser1 I've recently become a co-opted governor at a primary school so watching with interest. I have had to give feedback on a couple of policies already, but what I'm not clear on is whether the Head and SLT have to make any changes as a result of Governor feedback? I'm still figuring out what influence, if any, Governors can have on what the school's policies are? I can recommend which orgs or resources might be better than others, for example, but the school is under no obligation to go with mine (or any other Governor's) recommendations. Does that sound right to you?

@Useruser1 yes same it's not very clear.

We are part of a small trust so the LGB here doesn't have statutory responsibilities like they would if we were a "normal" school.

My experience so far is that we are there to rubber stamp things but nobody really wants our input!

I've not yet managed to have any meaningful change to policies but will persist and let you know how I do

@NinetyPercent sorry I tagged myself instead of you in that msg above!

@Useruser1 Good luck - do come back and let us know how you get on. Glad it's not just me feeling GB has very little influence...

OK update after the meeting. I was highly nervous!

It was about to be waved through and I said I had some questions about "gender assigned at birth" and where this wording came from. We had a 10 minute discussion where I managed to put forward my position that

• we should prioritise sex rather than gender
• GI is not a protected characteristic
• It isn't preparing children for secondary to be taught the details of this (though a good point was made to prime slightly so they're not blindsided by it later)
• We don't actually have a requirement to teach "gender"
• By teaching some “LGBT” content we are already compliant, I don't think Transexual or transgender status needs to be discussed at all. We can discuss different family types (straight, gay, single, carers etc etc) and enforce the need to be polite and respectful of differences.
• In practice the EA2010 does not require anyone to be treated as anything other than their sex.
• I believe this policy could be harmful in teaching children that if they do not identify with the stereotypical behaviour/feelings/clothing of their sex then they may be the other

From the school's side

• Someone unprompted highlighted that it's often autistic girls who are trans identified and we agreed this was a reason for caution
• Safeguarding lead agreed this isn't done lightly and any change is always done with the parents and medical professionals (I believe this)

I said I'm not happy for the policy to go through as it is. There is a lead in the school for this (who wasn't there today) who I'm going for a meeting with to discuss, and come back next mtg.

The main takeaway was that I said I was nervous about raising this but the group were very supportive and reminded me that the role of governors is to question these things. Everyone was polite and it was all on good terms, which was a huge relief.

Happy to answer any questions or share the resources I'll send. But I'm proud to have researched and raised an issue so important to me. Thanks for the support everyone!

👏

I think you did wonderfully, well done.

That sounds brilliant, well done!

Well done Useruser1. That sounds to be a positive outcome. Especially reinforcing what we're in danger of losing - that it's the role of governors to question.

well done

Well done. I wish the governors at my children’s school were more like this.

Well Done!!!!
“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed, but when we are silent we are still afraid, so it is better to speak,"
Audre Lorde. A motto to live by!

Well done OP!
Love the Audre Lorde quote @ValancyRedfern so true!

Great Audre Lorde quote 😎 And very well done, OP!