This Policy Exchange report marks an important contribution to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that urgent attention needs to be paid to the ways children are being impacted by gender identity beliefs. Safeguarding principles are foundational to the functioning of a responsible society, and there is absolutely no reason why schools should ever compromise these principles. Children deserve to explore the ways they feel about themselves and the world in ways which do not harm them. Every issue concerning children should be viewed through a safeguarding lens, and there is no reason why gender distress should be any different.

Safeguarding principles are fundamental to a responsible society – and all teachers know that. Yet this report by Policy Exchange demonstrates the incompatibility between current practice for gender distressed children and well-established and universally accepted safeguarding principles. The report’s recommendations must be implemented - we cannot compromise child wellbeing in favour of gender identity beliefs. Given what has happened within clinical settings with Dr Cass’ damning report and the subsequent closure of GIDS, Government must issue clearer guidance to schools so that no school facilitates affirmative practice. Children deserve to be kept safe and action is now urgent.

“Safeguarding should always be a prime concern for schools and it is deeply concerning that this Policy Exchange report suggests that this is being undermined in some cases. I support high quality Relationships, Sex and Health Education & building confidence to deliver this well should be a priority for the Government. What should never be happening is contested theories being taught as fact something that goes against the spirit and the letter of the Department’s own political impartiality guidance and my committee have been pressing the Government to update its guidance on RSHE to make sure this isn’t the case. Parents always have the right to know about the materials being used to teach their children and to have a say in decisions being taken about their welfare. “Parents need the reassurance that they will be properly informed and supported to safeguard the best interests of their children and should never have to worry about contested ideology being imposed or medical decisions being taken without their knowledge. I welcome the fact that the report acknowledges that the vast majority of teachers, schools and parents want to do the right thing for children and keep them safe. Government policy and guidance needs to support this.”

This is an outstanding report from Policy Exchange and offers an invaluable and timely insight into the shocking extent of safeguarding failures in many British schools. The protection of children from political indoctrination is foundational to democratic society, and yet this report shows that we are currently failing to protect a whole generation of children from the destructive effects of extreme gender ideology. For years, parents who have raised safeguarding concerns to both schools and the Department for Education have been ignored, disbelieved or labelled as ‘bigots’. This report is a vindication of their concerns and a resounding call to action for Government and school leaders. Biological sex is immutable and the sex-based protections that are the hallmark of all civilised societies must apply to children in our schools.

This report by Policy Exchange disproves the thesis that extreme political ideology is happening in ‘just a few schools’. Rather, the research published within this paper demonstrates that gender ideology is built into the core values ofa number of schools. The fact that only 28% of schools are reliably informing parents as soon as a child discloses feelings of gender distress suggests schools are actively presuming parents to be a risk to the welfare of their children. The erosion of single-sex boundaries – at least 28% of schools are not maintaining single-sex toilets – should concern us all. This report lays bare the stark reality that some schools are routinely placing contested gender identity beliefs ahead of child wellbeing. We cannot erase the notion of biological sex. As a lawmaker, and a father of two daughters, I call on the Government to act.

Parents place overwhelming trust in their child’s school to ensure they are kept safe from harm. Policy Exchange reveals a systemic safeguarding blind spot when it comes to gender-distressed children and their peers. There is no reason why gender distress should be exempt from safeguarding standards that have been enshrined in law for decades. The report also shows how radical and unscientific beliefs have become embedded into the heart of the school system, often, but not only, via Relationship and Sex Education lessons. This is in contravention of the Education Act which forbids the partisan teaching of ideology in schools. But it is also starting to undermine parental faith in our school system – note, for example, the small but steady increase in home schooling. However, at the same time, there is no doubt that schools are being asked to take on more and more of society’s transmission of its moral and cultural values, just as these are being increasingly contested. I therefore endorse all of Policy Exchange’s recommendations, but two in particular. First, it is time to stand back and commission an independent review that involves parents, teachers, faith and community groups that is tasked to look with fresh eyes at the school role in transmitting our society’s core values. Second, because we will never perfect this school role, nor how it can be guided by governments, we must embed an inalienable right for parents to view and engage with all school curriculum materials. This is the best mechanism to both safeguard our children and to help schools navigate their discussion around the complex social issues arising in our modern world.

How is it that (under the radar) schools started teaching children that biological sex was somehow unimportant, or even a cultural attribute?  Childhood is just when we all start emerging as sexual adults – often a confusing and troublesome time when support, guidance, and safeguarding may be needed from family and school. Importantly, children – especially girls – need privacy, protection and opportunities, in the changing room as well as on the sports field. The findings of this report suggest that many are being let down.  So this is a call to arms – for schools, the relevant authorities and parents – to place children’s interests at the centre of our education provision.