Teenagers are still forced to use mixed-sex toilets at schools | Politics | News
Schools continue to put gender ideology ahead of students’ well-being, and many do not mandate single-sex restrooms or locker rooms. Less than half of freedom of information requests to 300 secondary schools and academies consistently inform parents when a child says they may want to change their gender.
The findings, published by think tank Policy Exchange, show that schools “still operate in a way that reflects activist ideology rather than the interests of children”, according to Baroness Amanda Spielman, former head of the school inspection service Ofsted. He said: “This report rightly highlights the need for clear and practical guidance to help schools tackle these complex issues, keeping children’s wellbeing at the centre.”
The researchers found that three in ten schools failed to have single-sex toilets, although by 2023 six in ten had to do so. More than a quarter of schools do not mandate single-sex locker rooms; In 2023, this rate was half.
Nearly a quarter of schools require other children who declare that they are changing gender to adopt the child’s new name and pronouns.
Baroness Falkner, former Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Schools are increasingly at the forefront of these issues. More and more children are experiencing gender distress and seeking to make a social transition within the school environment. These cases are often complex, often involve additional vulnerabilities and require careful, security-focused responses.”
But he warned: “Too many schools still do not provide single-sex toilets, changing rooms and especially sports activities. Teaching materials present controversial concepts about gender identity and biological sex as established fact and encourage young children to explore these ideas and consider the benefits of social transition.”
“This is completely unacceptable in a system responsible for the welfare of children.”
Former Labor education secretary Estelle Morris said: “The report highlights key areas of progress, including increased awareness among schools of the need to approach these issues carefully, balanced and focused.
protection. “At the same time, it is clear that practices are unequal and schools continue to face difficult decisions about competing rights and responsibilities.”
