UK school allows transgender pupils to stay in girls' section

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Oct 15 2017 | 2:42 PM IST
A boarding school in south-east England will allow boys to stay in the girls' section if they identify themselves as transgender.
Gordon's School in Woking, Surrey, will also allow boys to wear skirts and light make up and be known by gender- neutral pronouns such as "zie" if they question their gender identity.
"Parents of pupils were surprised by how open-minded we have been. Most schools are having these issues,"Rob Pavis, the deputy head of the school,told The Sunday Times.
He said the school is drawing up guidance for pupils saying they can ask to wear the uniform of the opposite sex, be addressed by a different name and/or pronouns, use gender- neutral lavatories, grow their hair long if they are boys, change their accommodation and wear make-up and jewellery.
Several pupils have already explored their gender identity in the school, which has 10 boarding houses, five for boys and five for girls.
The school said it had acted because it had "become aware of students who would 'come out' after leaving the school" and wanted pupils to feel safe to do so while still in their care.
The UK's Boarding Schools' Association has issued guidance to schools saying that if a boy intends to change gender he should be offered the chance to sleep in the girls' dormitory and vice-versa.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 15 2017 | 2:42 PM IST

Next Story