Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised schools will receive guidance on policies for transgender pupils for the summer term after a teaching union said its members were navigating a ‘minefield’ around gender.
He was asked about a report from think tank Policy Exchange, written past of the Biology Matters Project. Of 154 English secondary schools, 39 schools reliably informed parents when pupils identified as trans or questioned their gender, 87 schools found that parents were not reliably informed, 14 schools did not provide enough detail and 14 schools chose not to respond.
Schools were asked a series of questions about their policies on issues ranging from whether schools would disclose to parents as soon as a pupil ‘comes out’ as transgender or questions their gender, to whether children should play in sports teams that don’t match their sex registered at birth. Only 154 of 304 schools responded. Not all of the schools responded to all of the questions asked.
The report claimed some schools felt disclosing information to parents about whether a questioned their gender identity, or expressed a wish to change gender, would breach the child’s confidentiality.
When asked about the report, Mr Sunak said he was “very concerned.”
He added: “For me, the safety and wellbeing of our children is of paramount importance. I’ve also been clear that parents must be able to know what is being taught to their kids in school, especially on these sensitive areas.
“I’m also going to say that for the summer term we will make sure we publish guidance for schools so that they know how to respond when children are asking about their gender.
“These are really sensitive areas, it’s important that we treat them sensitively, and that parents know what’s going on, and we’ll make sure that that happens.”
The Teaching Union Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said schools had been waiting for guidance for “several years.”
Geoff Barton, ASCL General Secretary, said: “Schools work very hard to be sensitive to the needs of pupils questioning their gender identity, and all their pupils, by providing a supportive and caring environment, and teaching children sensitively about respectful relationships in a diverse society through RSE lessons.
“Unfortunately, they are endeavouring to do this in the context of a public minefield of strongly held and opposing views, of which this report from a think-tank is yet another example.
“Meanwhile, the government has still not produced guidance for schools on supporting pupils who identify as trans or who are questioning their gender identity, despite this having been under discussion for several years.
“This is clearly needed so that schools are able to draw on an established set of guidelines rather than constantly being caught in the crossfire between opposing views and beliefs.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said its priority was the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
“The education secretary is working closely with the minister for women and equalities to produce guidance for schools, which we will be consulting on shortly.
“In the meantime, we are clear that schools should make sure they work with parents, pupils and public services to decide what is best for individual children.”
To see the report, CLICK HERE
