We'll get deleted for posting the whole thing here but I realise many are curious. There's a long discussion of the history of guidance in schools for gender-questioning children, a comparison of the approaches taken by various groups providing guidance, such as Allsorts and Transgender Trend, a discussion of the legal framework and a set of recommendations.
I think it should be okay to provide the main section of recommendations as a quoted extract here and this will be what most of us will be interested in:
For sex-based policies, the following would be best practice:
• Regarding toilets, changing rooms and residential trips, separate provision – private facilities such as “accessible” toilets, individual changing cubicles and showers, and single rooms – can preserve the rights and dignity of all. While it would be ideal to offer every pupil these options, building design and economies may mean that this remains an aspiration.
• Record-keeping should enable schools to aggregate data according to sex as well as the gender with which the pupil identifies. This can be vital when considering, for example, the relative performance of boys and girls. Equally importantly, it would permit the school to monitor the progress and outcomes of trans-identified children.
• Policies on PE and sport need to consider health and safety, as well as the dignity of all pupils. In particular, competition should be fair. The disparity between the sexes arises from biology, not gender identity, and it is dispiriting for girls to be at a competitive disadvantage against trans girls. While there is plenty of opportunity in school for all children to exercise together, fair competition is segregated by sex, not gender identity.
Gender-based policies can be inclusive so that all pupils enjoy the same freedoms:
• School uniform codes can apply in the same way to both sexes so that all pupils can access the same clothing options. Individual requests from pupils and/or their parents to adapt school uniform or dress code should be considered on a case-by-case basis and handled sensitively. Policies regarding make-up and jewellery can also be gender non-specific. Inclusive practice allows all children to express themselves as they feel comfortable without the need to identify as transgender.
• Issues may arise with sports kit, especially for swimming. Schools may allow flexibility in their arrangements and permit all pupils to wear skirted swimsuits, long shorts or short wetsuits as alternatives to traditional costumes.
• When children are grouped for activities, boys and girls need not be listed separately or treated differently unless it is considered necessary to maintain safeguarding.
• Insofar as is possible, both sexes should experience equality of opportunity and provision in the curriculum.
• Preferred names are widely used in schools, and the same policy can apply to children whose preferred name is usually associated with the opposite sex.
• Gender-neutral pronouns – for example, they/them – may be used as an alternative to sex-based pronouns.
Note to MNHQ: this is only about 10% of the article. Not the bulk of it pretending to be a quote. Honest!