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New guidance has been issued for schools in England, emphasizing the important role parents should play in almost all situations where a child questions their gender identity. The official advice, which carries legal force, makes clear that schools should not begin social transitioning processes—such as changing a pupil’s name, pronouns, or clothing to align with their gender identity—without careful consideration of what other kinds of support the child might require. For primary schools in particular, the guidance suggests full social transitioning should be a rare occurrence.
This guidance has received endorsement from Dr Hilary Cass, who authored a significant review into gender care services for under-18s, commissioned by NHS England following a surge in referrals. The Cass Review, published in 2024, pointed out the lack of strong evidence regarding medical interventions in gender care and highlighted an overall scarcity of research in this area. Dr Cass described the guidance as “a huge step in the right direction,” praising its practicality and how it reflects her review’s recommendations, offering schools clearer understanding of their legal responsibilities when supporting children.
Among the key points in the guidance is a firm stance on single-sex facilities: schools and colleges must maintain separate toilets, changing rooms, and single-sex sports activities based on biological sex, with no exceptions allowed. Still, institutions have some discretion regarding how they manage other aspects like pupils’ names and uniforms. It is understood that single-sex schools will continue to operate under the existing admissions code, which permits entry based strictly on biological sex.
The updated advice also stresses the difference between a child’s expressed wishes and what may be in their best interest. As Dr Cass noted, most children who explore gender identities do not proceed to fully transition as adults. She emphasized the importance of parental involvement, stating, “children don’t thrive well when there are secrets between them and their parents,” and highlighted instances during her review where schools had socially transitioned pupils without informing parents—despite parents’ vital insights about their children.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the guidance as providing “pragmatic support for teachers, reassurance for parents, and above all, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.” However, not all reactions have been uniformly positive. Maya Forstater, CEO of Sex Matters, acknowledged the guidance’s announcement but criticized its approach to social transition, arguing that schools are still allowed to facilitate a process that remains undefined and that the guidance suggests a notion of “birth sex” alongside other concepts of sex, which she claims “has no basis in law or reality, and undermines safeguarding.”
The charity Stonewall indicated that it would carefully review the guidance, urging that the final statutory advice reflect the experiences of young people questioning their gender and noting that many in the LGBTQ+ community feel increasingly unheard. This updated guidance on gender questioning forms part of a broader revision to statutory school safeguarding policies, first promised back in 2018. The prolonged delay meant school leaders have had to address this divisive topic without clear government direction, sometimes seeking legal advice or adopting measures like gender-neutral toilets independently.
The response from schools has been generally positive. Tomas Thurogood-Hyde of Astrea Academy Trust welcomed the clarity around single-sex spaces and the emphasis on avoiding schools acting independently, remarking this should provide parents with confidence in a consistent approach nationwide. Similarly, Heather Fowler, safeguarding lead at Endeavour Learning Trust, affirmed that the updated guidance aligns with the trust’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of every child and working closely with families to make thoughtful decisions.
Representatives from head teachers’ unions also gave their support. Pepe Di’Iasio, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, reflected on how schools “had done a very good job” navigating this issue amid polarized public debate in recent years. Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers said the new guidance would help provide much-needed clarity for schools managing such sensitive matters.
Previously, draft guidance issued by the former Conservative government in late 2023 had adopted a stricter approach, including proposals to ban the use of alternative pronouns in primary schools. That guidance never came into force due to a general election in May 2024 and a subsequent change of government. The latest guidance will now undergo a 10-week consultation period.
Outside England, related approaches continue to evolve. In Scotland, education ministers require that access to facilities be determined by biological sex, though schools may offer gender-neutral toilets as well. In Wales, officials promised updated guidance supporting transgender pupils during the next academic year, with work progressing on ensuring appropriate advice is prepared for the new government following the May Senedd election
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