Transgender children in England will be able to socially transition at school, subject to conditions to be detailed in guidance issued to schools later this year.
The guidance is said to take “a presumption against” children transitioning to a different gender at school but is likely to allow them to change their preferred names, pronouns or uniforms. It marks a climbdown from reports that some ministers were seeking to ban social transitioning within schools entirely.
Ministers ruled out a ban on social transitioning after concluding it would require primary legislation to avoid conflicts with existing equality and discrimination law, and could prove to be unworkable.
Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, which represents many secondary school leaders, said the reports of a “presumption” against social transitioning could create further difficulties for staff.
He said: “We are extremely concerned that following this advice may leave schools and colleges open to legal challenge under the Equality Act. We would urge the government to ensure that the guidance does not create more problems than it solves.”
