New government guidance on 'Gender separation in mixed schools'

[enoughisenough12]

(I think they mean sex but hey...)

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/719398/Gender-separation-guidance.pdf

Some useful clarification about the curriculum and single sex sport. I've only glanced at it but it looks constructive at first sight. I did notice para 13:
"It is permissible for toilet and boarding accommodation facilities to be separate as they are captured under existing statutory exceptions. Separate toilet and washing facilities must be provided for boys and girls aged 8 years and over pursuant to Regulation 4 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, which falls within the exemption provided for in Schedule 22 of the Equality Act 2010...."

Doesn't seem to allow for any doubt.

OlennasWimple - thanks. I thought that's what prompted it. Still, bonus reminder of Regulation 4, which some lobby groups might like to take into account when issuing possibly unlawful guidance to schools.

It certainly looks unambiguous, but so does the NHS guidance regarding mixed-sex wards until you get to the part that says that, unless circumstances are exceptional, trans people should be "admitted to a ward in accordance with their preferred gender", even if they have made no medical or surgical transition. I know this document doesn't mention trans at all, but under the EA, wouldn't schools have to go the same way, rather than provide some gender neutral facilities to accommodate trans children whilst maintaining single-sex provision? (I know you said you're not a lawyer, OP. Neither am I but I'd like to know the answer to this.)

Good news that having ONLY gender neutral toilet facilities is contravening guidance, though. And the indication that schools might be offering girls and boys different subjects and standards of equipment: how is that shite still going on?!

I think one key difference with schools vs the NHS is that there are various duties regarding safeguarding for children that apply (i know there are children in hospitals and that patients can also be vulnerable, but the vast majority of students are minors whereas the vast majority of NHS patients are adults)

And the indication that schools might be offering girls and boys different subjects and standards of equipment: how is that shite still going on?!

Quite. Faith schools are perhaps the worst culprits for this, but I'd guess that there are plenty of non-faith schools out there who more subtly guide girls towards textiles and boys towards woodwork

You're right, the particular safeguarding concerns around children might be the difference there. But I find it hard to believe that the NHS has same-sex wards that actually aren't, when it comes down to it. It's nonsense to me.

flourella
You've hit the nail on the head re self identifying and access. The trans groups state that a child self identifying must be granted "immediate access" to the facilities of their choice - but that's what they want and not necessarily what's legal.
The lay person in me says that surely it's legitimate to provide single sex changing and toilet facilities alongside gender neutral ones? A perfect 3rd space solution. You can't say to boys and girls facing the myriad of sexual harassment, mental health problems, eating disorders, anxiety, particular religious beliefs and so on that they MUST undress for swimming lessons in front of the opposite sex. But some groups are telling schools this.