East Lothian becomes one of Scotland's first councils to issue schools with dedicated transgender guidance

A Scottish local authority has rolled out comprehensive guidance to help its schools better support transgender pupils, covering everything from physical education to overnight trips — and drawing praise from a leading LGBTQ+ education charity.

East Lothian Council, which is led by a Labour cabinet with the SNP as the official opposition, developed the gender statement following consultation with teachers, support staff, and pupils themselves. Focus groups involving children and young people found that having clear guidance in place would help school staff better understand and respond to their needs, according to a report presented to the council's education and children's services committee this week.
The guidance addresses practical scenarios that can arise in school settings, including PE lessons, social events such as dances, school trips, and issues around privacy rights. It also sets out how schools should communicate with parents and carers.

The statement was shaped in part by two significant legal developments: the UK Supreme Court's ruling last year on the definition of sex, and a Court of Session judgment requiring schools to provide separate male and female toilet facilities. Despite those constraints, the document was described by Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) — a prominent Scottish LGBTQ+ education organisation — as among the best guidance of its kind they had encountered, and as both practical and consistent with existing legislation.

Councillors welcomed the new statement. Councillor Shona McIntosh (Green Party) acknowledged the climate in which it arrives, noting that transgender people of all ages are currently navigating rising hostility across society, and that parents of transgender children face particular anxiety. She also highlighted that the UK, once ranked first in Europe for LGBTQ+ equality, has since dropped to 22nd place.

Head of education Nicola McDowell said the guidance aims to provide clarity for schools, pupils, and families alike, while remaining legally compliant and centred on respectful dialogue between all parties.

At a time when transgender young people face growing uncertainty about their rights and safety, East Lothian's approach offers a practical, legally grounded model that other Scottish — and UK — councils could look to replicate.