Schools face having single-sex and gender-neutral lavatories

Schools may need to provide lavatories that are single-sex and gender-neutral, new guidance suggests.

The document, drawn up by a group representing head teachers, governors, teachers and academy trust leaders, says facilities should be convenient to those who need them. The advice has not yet been published by the Department for Education.

New guidance drawn up by a group representing head teachers, governors, teachers and academy trust leaders suggests that schools may need to provide lavatories that are single-sex and gender-neutral. The document says facilities should be convenient to those who need them, adding: “We recognise that this is not always straightforward logistically but, pending advice from the DfE or EHRC [the Equality and Human Rights Commission], this appears the clearest course in terms of both safeguarding requirements and managing the risk of legal challenge.” It says schools should work with the agreement of parents towards respecting the wishes of pupils to be the people they wish to be. The Association of School and College Leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers, the National Governance Association, the Institute of School Business Leadership, the Chartered College of Teaching and the Confederation of School Trusts said the briefing was provided to help members.

Source: Schools face having single-sex and gender-neutral lavatories | News | The Times