Primary schools ‘ let children change gender without telling their parents’
PRIMARY school teachers are being told to allow children to change gender behind their parents’ backs, it has been claimed.
A survey of equality and trans policies at more than 600 schools in Devon and Cornwall showed a large majority (73 and 62 per cent respectively) reportedly misrepresented equality laws.
It claimed one school trust advised teachers to help girls use breast binders on school trips, while also allowing pupils to sleep in bedrooms according to their ‘gender identity’. The details, compiled by Protect and Teach and reported in the Telegraph, concerned state schools.
Some of the school policies reportedly claimed children ‘as young as five’ could show signs of gender dysphoria.
They also said biological sex ‘is assigned at birth, depending on the appearance of the infant’.
One grammar school reportedly stated sex was ‘a person’s understanding and experience of their own gender identity’. The school which gave staff advice on breast binders was said to have told teachers they should ‘validate the young person’s identity as it is now and support any changes that may arise’.
Its policy added: ‘ Schools will respect the confidentiality of all transgender students and will not reveal sensitive personal information without prior agreement of the individual.’
The claims come ahead of the anticipated publication of the Cass review of gender identity services for children next week. Dr Hilary Cass’s interim report, published in 2022, said that ‘social transition’ – where children may change their pronouns or name – was ‘not a neutral act’.
Guidance issued by the Government last year told schools they should not accept all social transition requests and parents should always be included in the decision-making process.
Former teacher Miriam Cates MP said: ‘Any policy that allows or encourages teachers to “transition” children is clearly wrong.’
A DfE spokesman said: ‘Our guidance is clear that in nearly every case schools should not support the social transition of primary aged children.’