Commenting as the government today publishes a
consultation on their draft guidance on gender questioning or
trans pupils, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school
leaders’ union NAHT, which represents leaders in the majority of
schools in England, said:
“Decisions about how best to support transgender pupils can be
complex and sensitive. NAHT has long called for clear government
guidance to support schools and pupils, so that leaders are not
left to navigate sometimes difficult issues in isolation.
“The ongoing delays to this guidance due to political wrangling
have been a source of significant frustration, and it is far from
ideal for it to be published right at the end of term, after some
schools have already broken up for Christmas.
“NAHT will be reviewing these draft proposals to ensure they
provide useful information and support for school leaders and
will submit a response to the government’s consultation on behalf
of our members. Upon an initial look, it would appear this
guidance leaves a lot of questions unanswered, meaning school
leaders will continue to be placed in an incredibly difficult
position.
“It is important to remember that it is individual children and
young people at the heart of all this, and schools are focused on
making sure every child in their care is both safe and treated
with compassion and humanity.”
