Please help! Gender not sex on a school 'protected characteristics' poster, just spoken to the Head!

[Vebrithien]

Good morning,

I started this thread before Christmas

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4684558-today-i-found-my-bravery?page=1

The overview is that my DD's primary school is displaying posters by No Outsiders, which are supposed to show the 9 protected characteristics, but shows gender, not sex.

The (male) deputy head I mentioned it to, before Christmas, has not got back to me. The posters are still there.

I summoned up my courage this morning, and spoke to the Headteacher. She seemed surprised, as I said I'd already mentioned it to one deputy head, and that I'd picked up on it due to my school expecting Ofsted, and reissuing our equality training.

The Head said that it was surprising, as No Outsiders were an organisation whose specialism was equalities.

I replied that the EA2010 says sex, not gender. I also mentioned that there were some concerning resources produced by them, including an assembly where a dad wants to offer violence to children who do not accept his trans child. (I know no more than this)

The Head is going to talk to her other deputy head, whose responsibility this is, and to try to put us in contact.

Where do I do from here?

Can any one help me with evidence? What particularly is dodgy about No Outsiders?

Is there anything that states that schools mustn't misrepresent the EA?

Is there any DofE (or whatever it's called now) guidance for schools on the resources they used or how they represent the EA?

And, how should I go about finding out if the school uses other No Outsiders resources?

Please help, I want as much evidence as I can.

Still shaking with adrenaline from speaking to the Head!

Sorry should say don't give them an easy way out by saying "as a minimum" as that is all thy will do as they may think that will placate you.

Thank you.

Yes, I will change the "as a minimum", and have to have a think about how to phrase cutting ties with AM and No Outsiders.

I am waiting to find out if DD has a place in the juniors. If she doesn't, I can no longer work. Rationally, I know they shouldn't be able to deny her a place, but I fear it.

I left out about how schools should not teach harmful stereotypes, and how Ofsted are on the look out for this. There is a video @rabbitwoman sent me that I need to have a look at.

@Vebrithien did you just get an A on your homework?

☕️🍰
Veb, you deserve a break!

Your second mention of no outsiders in the letter is missing the r. (No Outsides...There's a joke in there somewhere).
I rather like what a pp has done in addressing the points raised by NO one by one - helps make the case that using gender not sex is NOT helpful and will not be helpful in later pshe lessons. Also that the opposite is true, knowing the difference will help children separate their idea of material self from stereotypes which are the foundation of genders.

I can say that all members of SSA have raised formal complaints with our schools and it has not impacted our children. However, I totally understand your concerns and take it step by step. In order to help frame to NO and AM demands you could ask them to tell you what safeguarding frameworks they have followed and highlighting those concerns as a reason for severing ties.

I too think it is an excellent letter. Well done for sorting out all the reasons why the poster is wrong.

Regarding HagoftheNorth’s point, is it clear that the final responsibility for being held to account lies with the school not AM? That would reinforce your message a threat.

You do say:
My first concern is that this is at odds with the 2020 Department of Education RSE guidance, which states that outside agencies and resources must be checked by yourselves, to ensure that they comply with the Equality Act 2010. (A)

Perhaps you could emphasise the school’s precarious position if you were to add something like “ It is to be noted that AM clearly devolved a final opinion on this matter to you, as though to remove liability from himself.”

Typo:
My second concern is with the use of No Outsides resources, as this organisation, whilst the subject of an investigation, has been shown to have a political agenda.

I think you have a typo with “No Outsides” instead of “No Outsiders”.

Other people here going through A M’s letter does make it so clear that his intention is to pair ‘gender’ with ‘gender reassignment’ as a designated path to suggest to teenagers. Instead of one in a thousand, or whatever it is, who might have genuine gender dysphoria, here we have deliberate planting of the idea as though changing gender is a life style choice.

My first concern is that this is at odds with the 2020 Department of Education RSE guidance, which states that outside agencies and resources must be checked by yourselves the school, to ensure that they comply with the Equality Act 2010. (A)

Incorrect reflexive. And I agree about drawing attention to the provider's sloped shoulders when it comes to responsibility.

My second concern is with the use of No Outsides resources, as this organisation, whilst the subject of an investigation, has been shown to have a political agenda.

Too many subclausses make this hard to follow. And 'subject of an investigation' makes it sound like an official government or police investigation - which I don't think is what you mean. I suggest the shorter and simpler:

My second concen is that No Outside[r]s appears to have a political agenda, as shown by the investigation by [whoever it was].

Yaaaassss, just catching up to look at your letter and it is very clear, concise and evidence based. Excellent to have this as evidence that you raised this issue with the school.

but remember, these teachers have probably been trained by Stonewall or similar. They double down because they have been told by their LEA, or their professional bodies, that this is now what we must do in classrooms. Many parents complain about teaching of religion or LGB lifestyles in schools but their complaints get nowhere because of the law, and for many years teachers have been told this issue is the same.

It's not. We know it's not. We are ahead of the curve but the curve is catching up with us!!!

Have a look at that video and it will give some indication on where OFSTED are heading, but also, have a look at all of the movement and discussion on this issue in just the last few weeks.

I would ask for a face to face meeting, and if there are parent governors meetings you can attend to ask about your school's plans. I would also imply that OFSTED or your LEA might be the next stop.

And ask for your school's safeguarding policies. If you are worried about the school's safeguarding lead, who do you then contact?

Just catching up with all replies to the thread Veb and was curious about the link you added in your list of resources, about queering children/schools? so i clicked on it out of sheer nosiness but sadly, the link didn't work, so you might want to check that and change it if necessary, before you send to the school.
Good luck though, your cause is righteous!

Thank you, noted.

I'll have a work on the wordings tomorrow, when I have access to a computer.
Thanks also to @rabbitwoman,.you have been such a support.

I know my message isn't perfect. There is so much more I could put in. But I don't want to rant. And I would like to be taken seriously.

I spoke to my best friend about this. She's heard me talk about being GC before, but not about what is going on in school. She has a DD at the school too, in a year below DD.
She supports me raising this, but of course, has only heard my side.

www.transgendertrend.com/no-outsiders-queering-primary-classroom/

Does that work? It's copied directly from the webpage

Team mumsnet!!!!!

It sure does @Vebrithien ! :-)
And i shall read it later on.
Many thanks and keep going!

From the school SEND policy , have highlighted the key bits.

At School, we believe that each pupil has individual and unique needs. However, some pupils require more support than others. We recognise that it is necessary to ensure that the school’s curriculum is accessible to all children, is inclusive and differentiated, and offers children the opportunity to develop their potential to the full in a supportive environment.

Safeguarding pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Those pupils with special educational needs or disabilities may be more at risk of abuse than their peers. The school works closely with these pupils and families and listens to the pupils themselves through the process for formulation and regular review of additional support plans and child centered one page profiles. Particular attention is given to those who may struggle to communicate with adults. See Child Protection and Safeguarding policy.

That gives good backup to your argument for clear and accurate language.

Good work @Vebrithien

I hope you will continue this into a new thread when this one is full, it's an important story and a lot of people will want to see how it pans out, not least to learn things for a time that we may have to go into bat at our own kids' schools.

Yes, I will start thinking up a linked thread title for the (inevitable) doubling down from the school.

As a subtle "fuck you", I have been wearing green, purple and white all week. This is today's offering.

Oops

That is a lovely fuck you. I hope it gives you great joy!

Equalities and rights: Conflict and the need for clarity - GOV.UK

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/equalities-and-rights-conflict-and-the-need-for-clarity

Goodmorning, Veb
This is nothing really new?, but just to bolster you, or maybe there is a useful quote in there.

Here is Suella last summer trying to make clear how woman could be protected on grounds of ‘sex ‘.

How can people enact the law if they don’t have the word?

Sorry, the first ? Was accidental.

Vebrithien · Today 10:58

Oops

We had very similar wallpaper, in the late 70's / 80's. I wouldn't dare to now, India Willoughby would have the Police on me for threatening to lynch them.

That's really nice, I've been looking for green purple and white dresses to wear to work (work is a very young demographic and very pronoun heavy). Any ideas welcome.

I'm so pleased you're so determined with this, it's too easy to give up. Good luck!

I missed that lovely green? Purple and white pattern before. What a good way to inspire your resilience.