Defend trans kids in school

Schools should be places where the care and safety of children is paramount – not battlegrounds for other people’s politics. But one state school which has worked carefully to keep all students safe is under threat. The school has been threatened with legal action unless it imposes a blanket changing room ban, irrespective of any harm to trans children.

Decisions about young people should put the needs of young people first – not use them as pawns to fight a culture war.

The school has followed local authority guidance and the law, making decisions on the use of bathrooms and changing rooms on a case-by-case basis that takes into account the needs of all students and families. That’s responsible safeguarding.

There is nothing in the Equality Act that always requires schools to ban trans pupils from using facilities that align with their lived gender. And blanket bans would raise serious legal and human rights concerns.

Children’s safety shouldn’t be weaponised for political gain. Trans children are children who deserve dignity and support.

Good Law Project is acting for a school facing a legal challenge from a parent represented by Paul Conrathe – the lawyer of choice for these challenges. We will publish our response to his PAP letter in accordance with our transparency principles as soon as we are able to.

Defending policies that are lawful and compassionate costs money. Legal challenges are expensive, and schools need help standing up to pressure. We need to come together and support schools who put the rights of all children first.