Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to issue national guidance to schools on how to protect the rights of (a) children experiencing gender dysphoria and (b) the peers of those children.

We believe all children should be supported whilst growing up so they can thrive and reach their potential in a safe and respectful environment. Schools are best placed to work with pupils, parents and professional services to decide what is best for individual children.

Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against a pupil because of a characteristic protected by the Act. State-funded schools are also subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Department has published guidance to support schools to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/315587/Equality_Act_Advice_Final.pdf.

Our statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education is clear that all pupils should receive teaching on LGBT content, at a timely point, during their school years: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.