Draft guidance for schools on transgender children prompts fears
The Department for Education has released draft guidance that aims to provide direction to schools on how to support transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid children. The guidance covers various aspects of transgender children’s education, including social transition, name and pronoun changes, access to single-sex spaces, and participation in sports and single-sex schools. While the government insists that the guidance takes a parent first approach, concerns have been raised about potential negative effects on transgender children.
Leaks before the publication of the guidance suggested that teachers may be required to disclose transgender children’s status to their parents and ban social transition. LGBT and human rights groups have expressed worry that the guidance, despite being under consultation for 12 weeks, will still be implemented next year with detrimental consequences.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s best interests and ensuring safety and safeguarding in schools. She also highlighted the significance of including parents’ views in decisions that impact their children’s lives. Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, echoed this sentiment, stating that schools do not have to accept a child’s request for social transition and that teachers and students should not be pressured to use different pronouns.
However, a 19-year-old transgender resident of Carlisle, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns that the guidance, if implemented as leaks suggested, could harm transgender children, increase homelessness, and lead to a mental health crisis. They shared their personal experience of facing harassment and bullying while attending school during their social transition. They believe that disclosing their transition to their family prematurely would have severely impacted their mental health.
The 19-year-old emphasized that not all parents are supportive or accepting of their children’s transgender identity. They argued that schools often serve as a lifeline for children who do not feel safe at home and stressed the vulnerability of trans individuals in society.
Pam Eland, chair of Pride in North Cumbria, an LGBT youth charity in Carlisle, commented on the draft guidelines, expressing concern that they offer no help to children and undermine their sense of security in schools. Eland described the situation as a step backward and accused the government of trying to erase the existence of the LGBT community.
The National Education Union (NEU) plans to fully examine the guidance after it is published and participate in the subsequent consultation. The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, highlighted the need for teacher training, pastoral support, and improved mental health services for LGBT students.
The draft guidance is currently open for consultation, and the Department for Education has been approached for a comment.
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