School chiefs have warned Rishi Sunak teachers will be left in limbo after a fresh delay to the introduction of guidance on dealing with trans pupils.
The Prime Minister had pledged that the long-awaited guidance would finally be published before the end of the school summer term.
But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan told MPs yesterday it had been put back again for further consultation.
Whitehall sources said the delay followed advice from the Attorney General Victoria Prentis that a planned ban on so-called social transitioning in schools would fall foul of Labour’s Equality Act.
Mrs Keegan gave no new timeframe for publishing the advice. In the meantime, she said schools should proceed with ‘extreme caution’ when dealing with children presenting as trans. ‘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,’ she added.
Teaching unions warned the delay would leave staff in limbo. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the delay was ‘deeply disappointing’, suggesting it was ‘seemingly due to internal government disputes’. He added: ‘Schools need clarity on this situation to help them navigate sometimes difficult issues and ensure all pupils are treated with respect, consideration and in accordance with the law.’
Teaching unions warned the delay would leave staff in limbo. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the delay was ‘deeply disappointing’, suggesting it was ‘seemingly due to internal government disputes’. He added: ‘Schools need clarity on this situation to help them navigate sometimes difficult issues and ensure all pupils are treated with respect, consideration and in accordance with the law.’
