Less than HALF of secondary schools alert parents when a child reports gender distress as report reveals growing crisis

Susanna Siddell
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:01:02 +0000

Fewer than half of secondary schools have alerted parents when their child reports gender distress to teachers, a damning new report has revealed.

On the anniversary of the major Supreme Court ruling the definition of a woman relates to "biological sex", fresh data from the think-tank Policy Exchange has shone a light on the way schools are approaching cases of "gender distress".

From that research, only 43 per cent of secondary schools "reliably inform" a child's parents when the pupil admits feelings of gender distress.

Meanwhile, some 58 per cent of institutions follow up the case with a safeguarding lead or suitable medical professional.

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The report stressed schools are failing to protect the rights and interests of other students by compromising single-sex spaces to cater to other pupils.

A significant number of educators are teaching children every individual has both a gender identity as well as a biological sex.

In some schools, lessons include pupils reviewing fictional emails from youngsters experiencing gender distress and to later guide them on transitioning.

Meanwhile, other educators outsource this type of teaching, sharing resources encouraging children as young as seven to "explore their gender identity" – with literature like "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?".

Another resource for older children includes a "Gender Transitioning Action Plan" in which students are urged to demand access to single-sex facilities and ask for a name change.

Nearly a quarter of schools demand other pupils amend a child's new name and pronouns if they have decided to transition.

Some 73 per cent of schools say they keep single-sex toilets and changing rooms, respectively. Meanwhile, only 36 per cent claim to keep single-sex sports separated according to biological sex.

However, the Supreme Court ruling last year declared the term "woman" refers to biological sex, rather than gender identity.

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The decision kickstarted mass disgruntlement across Britain within the pro-trans community.

The think-tank's latest data has backed by former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, who, in the foreword, accused successive governments of "sitting on their hands".

She said: "Both Conservative and Labour Governments have dithered over publishing the essential guidance that schools require to safeguard children in their care."

The peer added the report has exposed "too many schools implement policies that place ideology over evidence".

The report has subsequently called for the publication of the EHRC Code of Practice on single-sex spaces, as well as amendment of the KCSIE (keeping children safe in education) draft guidance.

Part of their recommendations urges authorities to clarify schools should not facilitate social transition and to remind them of the explicit requirement for "parental consent".

Single-sex sport provisions to protect such sports should be strengthened, it added, for fairness, dignity and safety.

She continued: "This is simply not acceptable in a system responsible for the welfare of children. Schools require greater clarity and authoritative guidance, consistently enforced.

"They carry a significant responsibility and must be supported to understand how to discharge their duties lawfully, consistently, and with confidence."