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Original poster

Schools toilet policy

42 replies

WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:15

Still getting messages that pupils can use the toilet of their choice.

In a 11-18 school (or any school), this isn’t lawful is it? We have allocated gender neutral toilets (quite rightly so) but the other toilets should be single sex shouldn’t they?

OP posts:
WarriorN · 08/09/2025 14:59

Rednorth · 08/09/2025 13:13

I really don't agree with that statement.

Whilst there maybe some lay members/ branches who are overly supportive of trans rights, that does not mean there wouldn't be the support, especially from paid staff members.

Show quote history

there are certainly many reps who are sex realists. It’s just v hard to know who is or who is completely clueless. The TRAs are easy to spot!

AnSolas · 08/09/2025 13:54

WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:24

Getting annoyed as the policy is peppered with cis and afab/amab and a claim that trans people are more likely to be victims of violent crime and murder than ‘cisgendered’ people. This is a policy drawn up by the student body and I’m uncomfortable that we as staff are meant to sign it.

Why the 🙊@!* 🤪 is are the adults allowing children to write policy?

What are the adults thinking to allow this?

The law stands at single sex only for block provision.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2/introduction/made

The school have an obligation to protect children from themselves.

I would say write that you have reviewed it and are not signing it.

That you as a member of the school staff have a legal obligation to follow the law.

You have take a view that such an action is taking on personal liability for the breaches of legislation and the lack of regard for the schools lack of safeguarding.

The policy as proposed is unlawfull and as which staff being asked to ratify a policy which can result in unlawful acts and leave you personally exposed in a civil action.

If the management decide that your role obliges you to participate in the approval or implementation process then you want the school to provide you with an indemnity for any and all costs associted with the change in role.

That gets you out of the whole drama of being "transphobic" and may get others to think about what they are actually taking onboard by signing policy as its taking ownership of the bad outcomes

The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999

These Regulations revoke and re-enact with modifications the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 (“the 1996 Regulations”). The Regulations apply to schools maintained by local education authorities (including pupil referral units) and, until 1...

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2/introduction/made

Biscofffan · 08/09/2025 13:54

Rednorth · 08/09/2025 13:13

I really don't agree with that statement.

Whilst there maybe some lay members/ branches who are overly supportive of trans rights, that does not mean there wouldn't be the support, especially from paid staff members.

Show quote history

I would hope you are right.

Rednorth · 08/09/2025 13:13

Biscofffan · 08/09/2025 12:55

If your union is the NEU it is totally captured and you may find they may not be supportive of you in questioning this. Also, as your username is WelshMoth, are you in Wales? Welsh Govt have facilitated this mess and seems happy to let this kind of thing continue. Sorry, not much help but I suspect your approach to SLT is the way to go.

Show quote history

I really don't agree with that statement.

Whilst there maybe some lay members/ branches who are overly supportive of trans rights, that does not mean there wouldn't be the support, especially from paid staff members.

Biscofffan · 08/09/2025 12:55

WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 12:12

Thank you. Yes - I’ve already spoken to my Union rep who bizarrely sees no red flags here. I’ve emailed my lead on SLT to query this too.

If your union is the NEU it is totally captured and you may find they may not be supportive of you in questioning this. Also, as your username is WelshMoth, are you in Wales? Welsh Govt have facilitated this mess and seems happy to let this kind of thing continue. Sorry, not much help but I suspect your approach to SLT is the way to go.

WarriorN · 08/09/2025 12:30

This is legal (as I know you know!) if any help at all, NI are acting quickly on this

https://x.com/journalismseen/status/1964956442202665205?s=46&t=A2fpFNgDRyXF2d6ye97wEA

LetterWriter17 · 08/09/2025 12:23

Join an appropriate union like FSU first, to protect yourself.

  • Request the school leadership or governing body to provide a copy of the policy and official guidance or legal basis for their language and provisions.
  • Highlight existing legal requirements (based on biological sex, separate facilities, EHRC interim guidance) and express concerns about ideological language that is not legally supported.
  • If unsatisfied, escalate concerns to:

The school board or governors;
Local education authority;
Education regulatory bodies (e.g., Ofsted);
EHRC

Another idea is to shoutout to Let Women Speak locals - if there are mothers near your school, they can setup a group near the school and hand out information to parents so they know what is happening.

akkakk · 08/09/2025 12:21

who runs the school if students are writing policy and staff are expected to sign off on it!?!

Absolutely get them involved in the process, but any policy must be owned by the relevant senior person or team - SLT / Head / Governors are the typical three homes for policies...

Have a think around where legal liability will sit and there is your ownership.
There is plenty of info on here about the legal requirements, but it does sound as though the policy is not meeting them and the priority is to make sure that ownership / process and outcome are sorted...

Original poster
WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 12:12

Thank you. Yes - I’ve already spoken to my Union rep who bizarrely sees no red flags here. I’ve emailed my lead on SLT to query this too.

OP posts:
Rednorth · 08/09/2025 12:01

What has your leadership had to say about it? Where the students invited to feed in to the work or something else? Its very bizarre.

I presume you're with a union? Even if there aren't any reps at school, ring your local branch. For me personally, the fact that toilet provision (something that falls under H&S, the EA and safeguarding) is being led by students is a bit of a red flag and I'd be wanting advice from my union before doing/ signing anything!

Original poster
WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:34

Anactor · 08/09/2025 11:32

Yes, and that’s a teaching experience for your students. It needs to be sent back to the student body with an explanation that this policy cannot be adopted because it breaks equalities law.

Do you do A level law? Or GCSE? Good project for them.

Show quote history

Good point. Yes - we run those. I’m very surprised if I’m the only member of staff to flag this up too!

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:34

Thank you.

Yes, we have 6 gender neutral toilets that meet all requirements. But, the rest of the facilities dotted around the site are as you say.

OP posts:
Anactor · 08/09/2025 11:32

WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:25

I’m 100% in support of the LGBT+ community in this school but the wording has to be lawful, doesn’t it?

Yes, and that’s a teaching experience for your students. It needs to be sent back to the student body with an explanation that this policy cannot be adopted because it breaks equalities law.

Do you do A level law? Or GCSE? Good project for them.

BeltaLodaLife · 08/09/2025 11:27

Why are students writing the bathroom policy? Have they been given any guidance on the law?

I think I would have to send it back and say that this guidance breaks equality law and needs to be redone.

If they want gender neutral toilets then they need to be floor to ceiling fully enclosed with toilet and sink.

If the bathrooms are made of cubicles and then sinks outside of the cubicle, they must be single sex (sex assigned at birth).

Original poster
WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:25

I’m 100% in support of the LGBT+ community in this school but the wording has to be lawful, doesn’t it?

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshMoth · 08/09/2025 11:24

Getting annoyed as the policy is peppered with cis and afab/amab and a claim that trans people are more likely to be victims of violent crime and murder than ‘cisgendered’ people. This is a policy drawn up by the student body and I’m uncomfortable that we as staff are meant to sign it.

OP posts: