Sex and gender identity in schools
Schools should regularly review their policies and procedures and ensure that materials used are legally compliant and quality assured.
The organisation Sex Matters have produced a resource for schools in Wales which may be useful for this. The resource can be accessed here.
Sex Matters has also produced, together with Transgender Trend, revised guidance for schools in Wales. It draws on guidance from the Welsh Government, relevant legislation from the UK government, the interim report of the Cass Review, EHRC guidance, and others. You can access this here.
Mixed sex facilities in schools
The Welsh organisation Merched Cyrmu recently published a report on mixed sex toilets in Wales' schools. The report sets out the current situation in Wales and raises key concerns around the inclusion of mixed sex toilets in schools. These include concerns of poor sanitation, a lack of privacy and safety risks.
Local authorities, who hold ultimate responsibility for legal compliance, need to ensure that all school buildings provide toilet facilities which are safe and compliant with the law - but many are failing to do so. You can read the report here.
Transitioning in schools
Merched Cymru has also recently published research which shows how schools in Wales are compromising children’s safety and well being, and exposing themselves to the risk of legal challenge.
The synopsis reads: In the absence of clear, legally compliant guidance from Welsh Government on making decisions regarding gender distressed or questioning pupils, schools are taking widely varying approaches, and often reaching for toolkits from transgender campaigning organisations that have already been withdrawn following legal challenge.
You can read the full report here.
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This page was last updated on 19th March 2024.
