New guidance to help schools better support transgender children and young people has been published by the Scottish government.
The guidance offers staff advice on what to do if a young person wants to change their name and gender on official school records, as well as how to respond if a colleague deliberately uses the wrong pronoun or name for a transgender student.
The guidance also says that transgender identities should be included alongside other identities in classroom and school displays “to ensure transgender young people feel respected and included in their learning environment”. Teachers are advised to highlight prominent transgender role models such as author Juno Dawson and dancer Jin Xing.
The guidance says that the focus on these individuals should be “in relation to their contribution to their field, as a stimulus for lessons”, and that just as “teachers no longer talk about ‘lady scientists’, ‘trans scientist’ is not appropriate”. However, it adds that “if teachers explain at the end of the lesson that a particular professional is transgender, it has a normalising effect and demonstrates inclusion”.
Education Secretary @S_A_Somerville has welcomed new guidance to help schools better support transgender children and young people.
Read more➡️https://t.co/STHtWJgmLN pic.twitter.com/qV2XvMgYjF
- ScotGov Education (@ScotGovEdu) August 12, 2021
A section on “common terms and underlying concepts” looks at what it means to be transgender, a trans boy or a trans girl, and nonbinary.
However, while the guidance says that teachers “can show young people that they have some understanding” if they use terms such as these - and use them correctly - it also says that not all staff are expected to be experts in transgender inclusion and that “the most helpful thing to do is to ask a young person how they identify themselves”.
The guidance - which also gives advice on the provision of toilets and changing rooms in schools - states: “No one expects all staff to be experts in transgender inclusion. However, all staff are expected to actively ensure that all young people including those who are transgender are accepted, respected and supported. [General Teaching Council for Scotland] guidelines specify that all teachers should treat all young people with respect, and provide the best learning environment they can.”
Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Pupils are happier and learn more at school when they feel safe, respected and included.
“We know transgender young people can face many issues in schools and that teachers and staff must have the confidence and skills to support their mental, physical and emotional health.
“This guidance outlines how schools can support transgender young people while ensuring that the rights of all pupils are fully respected. It provides schools with practical suggestions. The guidance is not prescriptive and does not promote transitioning.”
The guidance can be found here.
