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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

School "Gender Questioning" policy

48 replies

Aethelthryth · 20/02/2025 15:43

I am a Governor at an independent girls' school and have just received a draft "Gender Questioning" policy to review. At a glance, it accepts gender ideology wholesale. I would like to resist it strongly and should be grateful for pointers towards helpful materials. Being a girls' school, there are none of the difficulties around loos and changing rooms or the presencece of autogynephile men; but there are a disproportionate number of girls (most with other mental health problems) who have decided that they are "non binary" or boys. I cannot believe that affirming any of this is a good idea and would be grateful for strong supporting evidence. I want strong arguments to put to the Board and some suggestions as to what should be our policy here. Matters are complicated by the fact that the VAT imposition has had a serious impact on numbers and we are desperate to be popular. The most bizarre thing is that there are "non-binary" girls who want to stay with us because we are a girls' school. The cognitive dissonance is staggering. All help gratefully received

OP posts:
zanahoria · 20/02/2025 15:54

Go through their policy with a fine tooth comb. See if there is any references to harmful practices like binding or any links to organizations that support it.

Hercisback1 · 20/02/2025 15:55

Have you seen the DFE guidance? That could be a good place to start.

LadyBracknellsHandbagg · 20/02/2025 15:56

I have no experience of this as not my industry, thank goodness, but this might be useful-

https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/a-model-policy-that-protects-all-childrens-wellbeing/

Good luck!

menopausalmare · 20/02/2025 15:57

Have a read of KCSIE (keeping children safe in education).

Original poster
Aethelthryth · 20/02/2025 16:38

Thank you so much. I think that the DFE Guidance is in a "draft" state- it was to be implemented by the last Government but this one has stalled. Nothing about binding or similar but plenty about using preferred pronouns

OP posts:
Cerialkiller · 20/02/2025 16:48

Is it too outing to post sections on here? Or maybe reword bits for us to discuss?

There's usually the old standby of affirmation not being a neural act.

You don't want to encourage harmful practices (medicalisation and binding) as considering the current controversy you are concerned about legal implications to the school. Proactively going against Cass could be seen as ignoring medical research.

AlisonDonut · 20/02/2025 16:49

I'd take the weekend and go through Cass report and pick out anything that goes again the Cass recommendations.

Greyskybluesky · 20/02/2025 16:52

Have you looked at the Girls' Day School Trust policy for background?

https://newcastlehigh.gdst.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GDST-Gender-Identity-Policy-Whole-School-24-25.pdf

(or is it the GDST you're talking about?!)

cariadlet · 20/02/2025 16:52

Some good suggestions already posted. I'd also visit the Transgender Trend website.

WarriorN · 20/02/2025 17:00

Aethelthryth · 20/02/2025 16:38

Thank you so much. I think that the DFE Guidance is in a "draft" state- it was to be implemented by the last Government but this one has stalled. Nothing about binding or similar but plenty about using preferred pronouns

The key paragraphs in KCSIE are statutory though say "should" rather than "must"

Kcsie states that "should" is seen as best practice.

The paragraphs refer to the draft guidelines for gender questioning children. Whilst these are draft they do include current law and are drawn from the Cass review, which KCSIE also references (remember that is statutory.

Cass states that 'social transition is not a neutral act.'

Any part of the school guidance that allows this without parental, professional involvement, or clinical guidance is against KCSIE.

I'd be strongly raising these points with them and warn them that they risk court action if any parents find out or if a child was encouraged to transition who later regretted this, because it is not compliant with statutory safeguarding guidance.

Page 55

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d7301b9084b18b95709f75/Keepingchildrennsafeinneducation_2024.pdf

School "Gender Questioning" policy
WarriorN · 20/02/2025 17:01

Look at Bayswater website too, they have safeguarding guidelines and also train schools.

Original poster
Aethelthryth · 20/02/2025 17:40

Thank you all- this is very helpful. I don't want to out us (not GDST) but I shall be going all through all of this at the weekend. The draft completely ignores Cass!

OP posts:
StrongerThanYouTh1nk · 20/02/2025 18:34

Protect Teach do great work in this area.

Ingenieur · 20/02/2025 18:38

One of the things the GDST does is begin from the assumption that "gender identity" is a real thing. If your school's proposed guidance asumes this I would immediately question the basis for this unsubstantiated belief.

If you can convince them to question that initial assumption then it will be easier to explain why the other stuff is bonkers and shouldn't be enforced on everyone else.

FabulousFryingpan · 20/02/2025 18:45

Gender a wider lens podcasts, ep 117 Kate Parker, and 124 Alex Capo. Excellent food for rebuttal.

Leafstamp · 20/02/2025 19:37

I see someone has already posted a link to Sex Matters’ model policy, but I would also look here:

https://sex-matters.org/take-action/school-check/

Seainasive · 20/02/2025 19:55

School leaders are governors have been left in an unenviable position with the draft guidance. KCSIE is useful but only just.

At the school where I was Chair, I kept insisting that the Equalities Act was referenced correctly and the right categories were used in all policies. We agreed a unisex uniform policy that did not reference gender questioning at all.

CASS was useful, and as your school is single sex, do you even need a policy?

User0103 · 20/02/2025 20:04

I wonder would it be useful to think about the amount of hassle and cost it will entail if one of the teachers Just Says No.

I think, sex matters, published a paper which listed the losses in court, and then just get the SMT to think how will they be 100% sure they aren’t inadvertently doing the same thing, and who will get left with the costs.

Original poster
Aethelthryth · 21/02/2025 07:19

Thank you all so much for these really helpful suggestions and resources. I'm going in to fight!

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 21/02/2025 07:28

Safe schools alliance?

https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net

kiterunning · 21/02/2025 07:32

Thank you for your resistance.
People like you within schools are incredibly valuable!

Leafstamp · 21/02/2025 08:18

kiterunning · 21/02/2025 07:32

Thank you for your resistance.
People like you within schools are incredibly valuable!

Agreed! Thank you OP, let us know how you get on.

Scout2016 · 21/02/2025 08:45

Make sure that GC beliefs are covered in writing too, and staff / other pupils are not going to be tarred as bullies or get in trouble if they are guilty of wrong think.

WarriorN · 21/02/2025 09:02

User0103 · 20/02/2025 20:04

I wonder would it be useful to think about the amount of hassle and cost it will entail if one of the teachers Just Says No.

I think, sex matters, published a paper which listed the losses in court, and then just get the SMT to think how will they be 100% sure they aren’t inadvertently doing the same thing, and who will get left with the costs.

Yes very much this too.

SernieBanders · 21/02/2025 11:52

There are a huge amount of links and thoughts on this post which will help you

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5269520-my-14-year-old-daughter-has-been-sharing-school-changing-rooms-including-swimming-with-a-male-the-school-never-told-me-or-her-what-would-you-do?page=12&reply=142067866

and I’ll be reading this one to help with my own issues as well!