Gender and Safeguarding in schools (FOI)

Request 

Following the publication of a comprehensive report by the UK based Policy Exchange think tank entitled ‘Asleep at the Wheel - An Examination of Gender and Safeguarding in Schools’[i], please provide data from each Governemnt of Jersey primary and secondary school, as set out in the following questions.

In the questions, ‘sex’ refers to a child’s biological sex; gender refers to a perceived gender identity that a person may consider they have, that may or may not match their biological sex.

Asleep at the wheel (policyexchange.org.uk) 

A

Does the school inform parents or guardians when their child expresses that he or she might be a different gender to their sex, or expresses a wish to change gender?

B

Does the school operate a policy of self ID for gender identity; in other words, do they consider the gender of a child to be the gender that that child declares it to be, irrespective of the child’s sex?

C

Who, if anyone, does the school consult before allowing a child to socially transition (i.e., identify as a different gender to their sex)? Please detail the roles of those consulted.

D

Does the school allow a child who identifies as a different gender to their sex to:

a) Use toilets according to their new gender, rather than their biological sex?

b) Use changing rooms according to their new gender, rather than their biological sex?

c) Take part in sporting activities according to their new gender, rather than their biological sex in circumstances where sports are separated into boys and girls?

d) Choose which single-sex accommodation to sleep in on school trips?

E

Does the school require other children to refer to children who have socially transitioned by their new name and preferred pronouns?

F

Which of the following ideas does the school either teach or support?

a) That people have a gender identity that may be different from their biological sex.

b) That it is possible for people or children to be ‘born in the wrong body’.

c) That a person who self-identifies as a man or a woman should be treated as they identify in all circumstances, even when this does not match their biological sex.

G

In the last 36 months, has the school worked with any external provider (either charity or commercial organisation) to provide lessons or resources that include gender identity? If so, please give the name of the provider.

H

Please provide copies of all presentations, leaflets, worksheets and other materials that are used in the school, as well as a list of library books that reference gender identity.

Response 

A to F

The Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) have provided schools with published guidance. Please see the following link: 

Transgender Guidance for Schools.pdf (gov.je)

Each school can then use this guidance within the context of their own school and / or create their own policy. Policies are published on each school’s website therefore Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) 2011 Law has been applied.

G

Please see the below list of external providers (either charitable or commercial organisations) which Government of Jersey schools have worked with to provide lessons or resources that include gender identity within the last 36 months:

• Safe to Be Me – Delivered by Ballet D’Jerri & Scottish Ballet            
• You Matter Programme 
• No Outsiders
• Liberate
• Jersey Youth Service
• You Matter
• Brook
• Just Like Us
  
• YES
• Educate and Celebrate
• Stonewalls

H

Copies of presentations, leaflets, worksheets and other materials that have been used in Government of Jersey schools, together with lists of library books that reference gender identity that are used in Government of Jersey schools are attached below:

Attachments combined.pdf

Please note all Government of Jersey schools were asked to provide headline information as to reference all books and presentations would take in excess of 12.5 working hours, therefore Article 16 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Articles applied

Article 16 - A scheduled public authority may refuse to supply information if cost excessive

(1) A scheduled public authority that has been requested to supply information may refuse to supply the information if it estimates that the cost of doing so would exceed an amount determined in the manner prescribed by Regulations. 

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.