After a very long winter, spring – and our spring bulletin are both finally here!
The main news in this issue is that bookings for our 2023 annual conference are now OPEN and you can book and pay for your place on our website link
Alternatively, you can book on Eventbrite
We’re looking forward to seeing many supporters, both longstanding and new, in person at the RAF Club in central London.
We have some excellent speakers lined up including Harry Miller from We are Fair Cop, who is discussing freedom of speech, and author Louise Perry who will be talking about her book The Case Against the Sexual Revolution.
In addition, Ian Court, founder of Pint Size Theatre, will be speaking about safeguarding within PHSE, which is an extremely pertinent issue considering that the DfE is currently investigating inappropriate RSE in schools following the damning Policy Exchange report, ‘Asleep at the Wheel’.
In this issue:
Government blocks Scottish trans legislation but revives ‘conversion therapy’ ban
On 17 January, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack made an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998, preventing the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent citing serious safeguarding concerns However, on the same day, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Michelle Donelan announced that the government would be taking forward plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ and that despite previous claims to the contrary this would also cover gender identity as well as sexual orientation.
Mobilising parents against the trans agenda
Keith Jordan, from Our Duty, an international support network for parents who wish to protect their children from gender ideology, discusses how parents need to mobilise to fightback against the trans agenda in schools.
Boys should be Boys
This excellent book by US author Dr Meg Meeker lexplores the secrets to boyhood, including:
- why rules and boundaries are crucial-and why boys feel lost without them
- how the outdoors is still the best playground, offering the sense of adventure that only Mother Nature can provide
- the essential ways to preserve a boy’s innocence (and help him grow up)
- the pitfalls moms and dads face when talking to their sons
- why moody and rebellious boys are not normal-and how to address such behaviour
- how and when the “big” questions in life should be discussed: why he is here, what his purpose is, and why he is important
Policy Exchange report on gender in schools
On 30 March, Policy Exchange published its new report “Asleep at the Wheel” which revealed that schools are increasingly becoming influenced by gender ideology, to the extent that fundamental safeguarding principles are being compromised by school’s approaches to children with gender distress and their peers.
New research within this report demonstrates that many schools are failing to routinely inform parents when a child discloses gender distress, compromising single-sex spaces, and many are teaching gender identity beliefs within Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) as if they are facts. Gender affirmative care is prevalent within the school system, despite this being at odds with safeguarding principles that have been enshrined in law for decades.
Government to review RSE
On 8 March, The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, announced a review of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). The review will be informed by an independent panel to be appointed over the coming weeks to provide external expertise. The panel will bring together input from health, children’s development, curriculum and safeguarding. The review will also draw on close work with Ofsted, to understand what material is currently used in the classroom, and consider what improvements might need to be made.
FET’s firm foundations for the next chapter
FET member Stephen Balogh shares his thoughts about FET in terms of current and future societal challenges.
Professor Brenda Almond (1937-2023)
Long-term FET supporter Professor Brenda Almond passed away on 14 January 2023 at the age of 85. Brenda philosopher was a Professor of Moral and Social Philosophy at the University of Hull, President of the Philosophical Society of England and Vice-President of
the Society for Applied Philosophy, of which she was a founding member.
Piers Shepherd
After more than 14 years at FET, our senior researcher, Piers Shepherd, is leaving for pastures new. We thank Piers for his long service and wish him and his wife success in their new life overseas.
Receiving the bulletin by email
We are trying to reduce our operational costs. If you would prefer to receive our bulletin by email only, please let us know by emailing info@familyeducationtrust.org.uk
Join our board of trustees
We are recruiting! We are looking for new trustees who are enthusiastic and passionate about the matters that FET stands for but we’re also looking particularly for those with a
financial background, experience in the area of human resources or fundraising skills.
If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at info@familyeducationtrust.org.uk