The recent news article about the trans child at a primary school made me think of sharing a similar story at my DD school, big difference being is that's a secondary school.
DD is in year 8, there's a child in her year that identifies as a girl but is a boy. No one at school, besides staff knows, DD doesn't know either as whilst I feel bad withholding the information, I don't want her to keep this secret at school.
The child has a sibling at the school, who calls him by his girl name. They change in the disabled changing room and use the disabled toilet.
I found out through social media, the parent came up as a possible contact, their profile is open and there were many pictures of her children when younger making it very clear. Absolutely no doubt.
When I first found out, I researched and found there is little I can do. The child's rights seem to trump all others.
DD and the child started building a friendship last year, but this went sour. Which I am glad for considering the circumstances.
My issue here is the deceit and secrecy. Non of the year group know the child is a boy which is such an obvious safeguarding risk, and once they find out they'll feel betrayed. Any friendships are based on a lie. And I feel like I am condoning the situation by not saying anything, esp to DD.
The child lives further from school then most other kids, likely to try and ensure there were no other children at the school that might know them.
It feels wrong to keep things quiet, esp for my daughters, and other girls in her year's sake, so hoping that someone here may have some good ideas in where to go from here.
(Long term Mumsnetter, name changed for this post)