Conservative MP Caroline Johnson said it is important that the department for education clarifies what schools should do in situations where teenagers are getting undressed, such as in changing rooms and boarding houses.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has confirmed he is working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on new guidance, as teachers are dealing with growing numbers of students identifying as the opposite sex or as non-binary.
Dr Johnson, a member of the education select committee, said she has been told that the guidance will include advice about how best to support trans and non-binary students, and will look at sports and uniform policy.
She added: “It is also important that the department looks at determining issues where rights might be seen by some to collide. For example in situations such as in school changing rooms and boarding school accommodation where schools have to think of the rights of the privacy and dignity of children, especially girls, in single sex spaces and the privacy and dignity of trans pupils. This is important where teenage pupils may be undressed.”
It comes after parents in her constituency of Sleaford and North Hykeham contacted her concerned that their teenage daughters were in a boarding house with a male student who is trans. She said many of the girls at the private school felt uncomfortable walking in towels along the corridor, but were bullied if they said so.
She said: “We must ensure that pupils identifying as trans or non-binary are supported properly and protected from discrimination. It is also important that the Government provides clear guidance for teachers to support them.”
She added: “I know that many students, parents and teachers are worried about how best to approach gender and sex based issues.”
She called for a better understanding of what children are encountering online and “more professional curiosity about what is going on in children’s lives.”
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It comes after fellow Conservative MP Miriam Cates warned that children are meeting adults online on sites such as Reddit, TikTok and Discord who tell them how to transition, obtain testosterone and “go down a route of surgery.” She said this is an “enormous” safeguarding risk.
The Department for Education said: “We recognise that gender identity can be complex and sensitive for schools, and that many parents have legitimate concerns. We will be working with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission as we consider our next steps.”
