EA removes guidance on supporting transgender pupils from website

It had, for example, recommended that reasonable efforts be made to allow transgender pupils to use changing rooms that match their gender identity.

Teachers were advised to be “sensitive to the needs of transgender pupils, as well as to the needs of other pupils” when making decisions about the use of toilets and changing rooms.

“Where requested, staff should give a transgender pupil access to toilets which match their gender identity, unless there is good reason not to do so,” the EA guidance had stated.

The guidance had also said that teachers and school staff did not have “unlimited right to freedom of expression” regarding their views on transgender people.

Teachers were advised that they should respect a transgender pupil’s wishes with regard to what name they were called.

While the 2010 Equality Act applies in Great Britain and not in Northern Ireland, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK.

The Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex in law means that public bodies have to review gender policies on things like changing rooms, toilets and hospital wards.

The chair of the EA, former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Mervyn Storey, was recently confronted by members of a high-profile evangelical Christian family as he entered a Free Presbyterian church in Ballymoney.

Members of the Burke family had accused Mr Storey of “promoting transgender ideology” due to the EA guidance.

But the governing body of Hebron Free Presbyterian church later called the family’s behaviour “totally out of order”.

The decision also comes just days after it was announced the author of the landmark Cass report – which carried out a review of gender identity services in England – is to review Northern Ireland’s gender services.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said Dr Hilary Cass had agreed to his request, and is expected to visit Northern Ireland with a team in November.

BBC News NI has contacted the EA and the Department of Education.