GDST schools announce trans policy

[AgathaMystery]

Hopefully this share token will work. If not I will screen shot.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/01/group-girls-schools-says-will-not-accept-transgender-pupils/

👍well done to that school

Good for them. interesting though as I have direct knowledge of one of the schoolmhaving a trans male student in sixth form a couple of years ago. It didn't work out and they left after the first year of with form. They'd been at the school prior to that as a girl since very young.

Glad to see them using common sense

In case it helps the DM version, not behind a paywall

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10361677/Leading-group-girls-schools-says-not-accept-transgender-pupils.html

Good decision. 👍

I am amazed, pleased, and curious to see with what fury and outrage trans activists respond.

This is interesting:

"School leaders have said that, without national guidance on transgender issues, schools are left relying on lobby groups."

Not just schools perhaps. Without clear government guidance all sorts of institutions may have been forced to rely on lobby groups.

The very good news is that the GDST (Girls Day School Trust) appear to have sought legal advice and come to the conclusion that the single sex provisions in the Equalities Act are important, as it is these provisions that allow them to deliver single sex education.

This seems like a very sensible policy, good for them. DH teaches at an all boys school, it's a single sex not a single gender school.

Well done to the school, they're right if course. I do feel sorry for their CEO and the tonne of shit she's about to get. I wonder if she realises what she's in store for when the TRAs go after her 😔

The right policy to adopt, clearly, though I am somewhat puzzled by them saying 'identifying as women' about pupils, since you have to be over 18 to be a woman. That would be a small minority of their students, I'd have thought 'girl' would have been the correct word. I know this seems hair-splitting but could it make a difference? Anyway, I know that GDST has increasing numbers of F2M and NB students so a clear policy is needed. Thank goodness they have the guts to make it. Well done GDST.

So pleased to see there is a major organisation standing up for girls’ rights for single sex spaces. If only Girl Guides had the same strength.

@Rightsraptor

The right policy to adopt, clearly, though I am somewhat puzzled by them saying 'identifying as women' about pupils, since you have to be over 18 to be a woman. That would be a small minority of their students, I'd have thought 'girl' would have been the correct word. I know this seems hair-splitting but could it make a difference? Anyway, I know that GDST has increasing numbers of F2M and NB students so a clear policy is needed. Thank goodness they have the guts to make it. Well done GDST.

I think it’s referring to the Equality Act. “Woman means a female of any age”.

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/212?view=plain

Thank goodness for that. My daughter is at a GDST school and I put her there to be schooled with girls not boys.

@Sonex

Good for them. interesting though as I have direct knowledge of one of the schoolmhaving a trans male student in sixth form a couple of years ago. It didn't work out and they left after the first year of with form. They'd been at the school prior to that as a girl since very young.

“A female pupil who begins to transition while already at school should be supported to remain at the school for as long as they wish to do so, it adds.”

Accepting a new trans-male student is very different to asking an existing student to leave because they are questioning their gender.

Sorry, I meant trans-female.

I am really pleased that the GDST have made this clear announcement. My daughters go to GDST school.

Their argument seems to be legalistic, rather than that it would not be in girls’ best interests to end GDST’s single sex provision.

Which is a concern IMO.

Pleasant surprise! I’m a former GDST girl and will be contacting them to support this policy. If anybody else wants to show them some support (to counterbalance the trolls) you can contact them here: www.gdst.net/contact/

Good for them. They obviously recognise the importance of sex, particularly for girls.

The body's fears are centred around the fact that it is only able to operate a single-sex admissions policy without breaching the Equality Act because of an exemption related to biological sex.

I don't know why they use the word 'fears'. They are entirely correct. All the government needs to say is yes, that's right, that's what the exceptions are for, you're using it correctly and for the reason its intended.

I sincerely hope they do. Confirmation from Liz Truss would be invaluable.

So happy to see this.

Good for them.

Can't see Eton or Harrow rushing to accept Trans boys...

Good for them.

Inclusive and supportive of female transitioners, but they are a specifically female only resource.

South Hampstead High School is a member of the GDST. The Head has been in the news a couple of times over her attitude towards unquestioning swallowing of trans ideology.

This is really important and good. The idea, though, that there is a need for guidance rather than schools (or anyone else) simply being able to rely on the law due to pressure from lobby groups, remains of concern.