England Schools Get New Guidance on Gender-Questioning Pupils Effective in September

The Department for Education published new safeguarding guidance for schools in England on handling gender-questioning pupils. GB News reported that the rules take effect in September and state that schools will not be required to inform parents when a child raises gender identity concerns without requesting any change in treatment.

Where a pupil asks to use a different name or pronouns, schools are expected to involve parents in most cases and give their views great weight.

The guidance directs schools to assess whether parental involvement could place the child at risk and requires individual decisions, with extra caution advised in primary schools. Existing cases in which pupils have already socially transitioned must be reviewed before the new academic year begins.

The guidance instructs schools to protect single-sex toilets, changing rooms and boarding accommodation, and advises that pupils should not compete in sports designated for the opposite biological sex where safety considerations apply.

The rules replace earlier proposals and follow a consultation that drew criticism from campaigners on both sides. GB News reported that the government strengthened wording to emphasize parental involvement while leaving schools to decide based on safeguarding factors.

Maya Forstater, chief executive of Sex Matters, described the guidance as a step forward for provisions on recording sex but said schools should always treat gender-related issues as potential safeguarding matters.

Baroness Cass welcomed the document, stating that it supplies schools with practical, evidence-based advice aligned with her review recommendations.