Transgender guidance for schools will take a “little bit longer”, the Education Secretary has said after headteachers vented their frustration over the delay.
Gillian Keegan confirmed on Wednesday that schools will be required to get parental consent for pupils to identify as a different gender.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) union has said the lack of guidance is “frustrating” as teachers are having to navigate the “complex and sensitive subject” of gender identity on their own.
In March, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged that guidance for schools on transgender issues would be published “for the summer term”.
Mr Sunak has said it is “important” to take the time to get the guidance on transgender pupils right as it is a “complex and sensitive issue”.
Ms Keegan told ITV’s Peston programme: “We are working on the guidance and we were hoping to get that out but it is going to take us a little bit longer.
“It is confusing, by the way, and we know that people are confused – it’s why we committed to do the guidance in the first place.”
The Education Secretary said it will state that children should not change gender ID without schools having a conversation with parents.
“Yes, we think parental consent is really very important in this,” she said.
