Secretary of State for Education (): I have been working
closely with my Right Honourable Friend, the Minister for Women
and Equalities on guidance for schools and colleges when a child
is questioning their gender.
We have always said that this is about safety for children. It is
a difficult and sensitive area and more information is needed
about the long-term implications of a child to act as though they
are the opposite sex. We also need to take care to understand how
such actions affect other children in the school or college.
These decisions must not be taken lightly or in haste.
It is vital that the guidance we publish gives clarity for
schools and colleges and reassurance for parents. So, we have
made the decision to allow more time – to speak to teachers,
parents, lawyers and other stakeholders – in order to ensure this
guidance meets the high expectations that these groups rightly
have for it.
In the meantime, schools and colleges should proceed with extreme
caution. They should always involve parents in decisions relating
to their child, and should not agree to any changes that they are
not absolutely confident are in the best interests of that child
and their peers. They should prioritise safeguarding by meeting
their existing legal duties to protect single sex spaces and
maintain safety and fairness in single sex sport.
I want to give reassurance of how seriously we are taking this
issue, and will endeavour to keep the House updated ahead of any
developments.
