Commenting as the government today publishes a consultation on their draft guidance on gender questioning or trans pupils, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, which represents leaders in the majority of schools in England, said:

“Decisions about how best to support transgender pupils can be complex and sensitive. NAHT has long called for clear government guidance to support schools and pupils, so that leaders are not left to navigate sometimes difficult issues in isolation.

“The ongoing delays to this guidance due to political wrangling have been a source of significant frustration, and it is far from ideal for it to be published right at the end of term, after some schools have already broken up for Christmas.

“NAHT will be reviewing these draft proposals to ensure they provide useful information and support for school leaders and will submit a response to the government’s consultation on behalf of our members. Upon an initial look, it would appear this guidance leaves a lot of questions unanswered, meaning school leaders will continue to be placed in an incredibly difficult position.

“It is important to remember that it is individual children and young people at the heart of all this, and schools are focused on making sure every child in their care is both safe and treated with compassion and humanity.”