A Teachers Guide to Sex and Gender
Background
The ongoing public debate around gender identity and the proposed policy changes to the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-identification have created an area of uncertainty for those who work in education. Many educators feel confused or conflicted about approaching the issue of sex and gender identity within school.
Teachers for Evidence-Based Education has produced guidance and resources which carefully consider the Equality Act 2010, the National Curriculum and Department for Education guidance, as well as statutory safeguarding guidance, in an attempt to help other educational professionals navigate these sensitive and challenging topics.
Who are we?
We are a group of teachers from different disciplines across a range of phases and settings. Collectively, we have decades of experience in working with young people.
Our experience tells us that people working in schools are struggling to find good evidence-based guidance on how to cope with issues around sex, gender and gender identity.
What do we believe?
We share a common concern with many teachers and parents on the safeguarding of children and the preservation of rights of everyone in education.
We believe that sex matters and that to deny the importance of material reality will lead to inequality and conflict between people with different protected characteristics.
We are absolutely opposed to any abuse and harassment of, or discrimination against, anyone or any group. We want schools and colleges to be safe places for everyone where all can learn, work and thrive.
Who is this guidance for?
We have produced a factsheet and a range or resources to address the questions and dilemmas we know professionals are facing in schools and colleges in the UK.
This guidance has been produced by teachers working in England.
We recognise that education is a devolved matter for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Professionals working in those countries will need to consider this guidance in line with laws and duties that apply in their nation.
However, we believe that this guidance will be of use to educators and other professionals working in education, wherever they are in the UK.
We believe this guidance is in line with UK law and professional statutory obligations for those working in education. We have linked to sources that support our position.
However, many of the issues covered in this guidance are contested and the law is not always clear.
This guidance is therefore general. We believe it can be used to support and inform educators and other professionals to help us all navigate the tricky waters we find ourselves in due to the failure of clarity in law and existing guidance.
We would urge individuals to seek specific legal or trade union advice where necessary.
Funding
A Teachers’ Guide to Sex and Gender is a self-funded project by Teachers for Evidence-Based Education.
All work on the factsheet, resources and website has been undertaken during the evenings or at the weekend, outside of teaching hours.
Any costs have been met entirely out of the pockets of the teachers in the group.
A Teachers' Guide to Sex and Gender 