A pupil has told Scottish school staff they identify as a fox, leaving union leaders demanding ministers and councils act to protect teachers left feelign clueless as to the correct way to handle such claims.
It comes after Rishi Sunak ordered teachers to alert parents if their children want to be referred to by pronouns that differ with their biological sex.
A Government spokesperson said headteachers should also intervene to stop children identifying as cats, horses, moons or other “neo genders”.
Seamus Searson, General Secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: “The Scottish Government’s policy has opened the door to all sorts of strange things, and it’s an environment that is very toxic.”
He continued: “Our job is to try to protect teachers and stop them from getting into more trouble than they’re already in.”
Mr Searson believes it is a “difficult time” for teachers because of the Scottish Government and its Gender Recognition Reform Bill sparking outrage before being blocked by Westminster. He added teachers feel “dammed if they do and dammed if they don’t” affirm a pupil’s claims about their identity.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was blocked from Royal Assent by the Government in Westminster, which is the final stage of any new bill.
The bill proposed the age someone can legally change their gender in Scotland would be lowered to 16 from 18.
New First Minister Humza Yousaf branded it an “undemocratic veto over legislation that was passed by a majority of the Scottish Parliament”.
Advising teachers on gender identity issues, the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association teachers should not keep it confidential and speak to a senior person at the school. They also believe it is important to inform the young person of the course of action you will take.
Scottish Conservative spokesperson for children and young people, Meghan Gallacher said: “Our teachers, who are under enough pressure already due to a lack of support from the SNP, should not be left feeling like they have to walk on eggshells in the classroom.”
How schools deal with identity came into sharp focus in England last week after a teacher was recorded telling a 13-year-old she was ‘despicable’ for challenging the theory around multiple genders and contesting a classmate’s apparent belief that she is a cat.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Schools should be a safe, supportive environment for all pupils, regardless of gender, where everyone’s rights are respected. All local authority guidance to schools should reflect this.”
