Teachers are to be told they will no longer be punished for using wrong pronouns for a child.
In new guidance set to be published later today, teachers and fellow kids should not face sanctions if they use a child’s wrong pronouns, unless they are doing so in a bullying manner.
Ministers decided that attempting to ban social transitioning in schools would breach the Equality Act 2010.
However, staff will be told to approach parents if their child wishes to identify as the opposite sex in all but exceptional cases.
Trans crackdown will mean teachers can no longer be punished for using wrong pronouns
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Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is today publishing the government’s long-awaited guidance for dealing with transgender pupils.
The advice is set to inform schools there should be a "presumption against" letting pupils socially transition but stops short of a blanket ban.
Toilets and changing rooms are expected to remain as single-sex spaces.
Teachers will be told to "use their judgement" to allow pupils to mix in sports.
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Education Secretary Gillian Keegan
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Ministers will insist their intervention is pushing a "parents first" response where parents and guardians are informed about their child’s desire to socially transition as soon as possible.
However, headteachers will be told that if a child is vulnerable, this legislation can be overruled "in extreme circumstances".
A Government source told The Sun: "This Government firmly believes parents should be involved in decisions about their children and much more caution should be taken, so this guidance means there should effectively now be a presumption against social transitioning in schools.
"Alongside this, we’re giving much-needed certainty and protection to teachers and pupils so they will no longer feel forced to use different pronouns for gender-questioning children, and won’t face a sanction for not doing so."
The source added: "It is a complex and sensitive issue but we’ve taken the time to strike the right balance."
The full paper is called Guidance for Schools and Colleges: Gender Questioning Children.
Attorney General Victoria Prentis said an outright ban on social transitioning would be in breach of current equality laws.
On the other hand, some right-wing MPs could claim the guidance is not strong enough.