No general duty to facilitate social transitioning
Schools will be able to overrule parents who want their children to change their gender identity if they feel it goes too far under new guidance.
The long-awaited guidance states that schools must take a “cautious approach” that complies with their legal duties.
It explicitly states that some forms of social transitioning — under which children change their pronouns, names and uniform — “will not be compatible with a school’s statutory responsibilities”.
Responsibilities like providing single-sex toilets and changing rooms, and not letting boys compete against girls in contact sports. (Should be any sports, but it’s a start.)
No duty on schools
Ministers had wanted to ban social transitioning but were unable to do so within the confines of existing legislation. Instead, they have opted for a compromise, with the guidance stating that schools are under no “general duty” or obligation to facilitate social transitioning. It will urge them to proceed with extreme caution and state that changing gender identity is not a “neutral” act. Ministers believe this will stop schools from taking “affirmative action” over social transitioning.Protections for teachers
Teachers and fellow pupils will not be “compelled” to address children by their chosen pronouns if they have a “good faith” objection. As a compromise, they will be advised to use a child’s chosen name. This is designed to avoid teachers facing sanctions if they have principled objections to a child changing their gender.
It’s a start.
I hope that this will put an end to the horrible practice of activist teachers encouraging children to make a social transition at school whilst keeping it a secret from parents.
I hope this also works in the opposite direction so that pupils are not compelled to address trans-identifying teachers by their chosen pronouns.
Here is the link to the Government Guidance, in case you, like me, can’t find it in the Times article.
For, I believe, residents of England (others might be allowed to have a say), there is a consultation process.
Thanks for this info, tigger_the_wing.