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# Trans rights charity warns new school guidance could make life harder for trans pupils
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-camermaids-warns-new-school-guidance-could-make-life-harder-for-trans-pupils/
- Published: 2026-09-02T11:30:56.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-02T11:33:25.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Trans Rights

Trans youth charity **Mermaids** has raised concerns about new government guidance for schools in England, warning that it could make life more difficult for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people. 

The charity has published a detailed explainer of the **Department for Education**'s updated *Keeping Children Safe in Education* guidance, which came into force on 1 September and sets out how schools and colleges should respond to issues including social transition, single-sex facilities, sports participation and record keeping.

Mermaids said the guidance contains "confusing and contradictory" language around trans children and young people, which it fears could leave schools less confident about supporting pupils.

The charity said it had produced the explainer to help young people, parents, carers and teachers understand what the new rules mean in practice and to support trans students in advocating for themselves.

"We recognise that this guidance has caused, and will continue to cause, distress for the children and young people, and parents and carers who we support," the charity said.

"It is unconscionable that on top of this, trans young people are reckoning with increasing scrutiny and relentless waves of damaging policies and legislation."

Under the new guidance, schools must not allow pupils to use toilets, changing rooms or overnight accommodation designated for the opposite sex assigned at birth. However, Mermaids noted that schools are encouraged to consider providing alternative facilities, such as self-contained toilets, individual changing spaces or separate accommodation where appropriate.

The charity stressed that the guidance does not amount to a blanket ban on trans inclusion.

For example, while some single-sex sports may be restricted on safety grounds, Mermaids said the guidance still allows schools to consider inclusive participation where safety concerns do not arise.

The organisation also highlighted provisions relating to social transition. The guidance states that schools should carefully assess requests from pupils wishing to socially transition, including factors such as wellbeing, safeguarding concerns and family circumstances.

Mermaids said the guidance does not prohibit schools from supporting social transition and noted that discussions about gender identity do not automatically require schools to inform parents unless there is a safeguarding concern.

The charity also pointed to protections contained within the guidance relating to the Equality Act 2010\. It noted that schools must consider whether policies place trans pupils at a disadvantage and ensure they do not unlawfully discriminate against young people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

"Trans children and young people have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment and are protected from discrimination," Mermaids said.

The guidance also requires schools to maintain accurate records of a pupil's sex assigned at birth and ensure relevant staff are aware of that information where necessary. However, Mermaids argued this does not mean that a pupil's gender identity cannot also be recorded or that all staff and pupils should be informed.

While acknowledging that schools remain legally required to tackle bullying and harassment, the charity warned that the new guidance introduces "damaging limitations" that could negatively affect attendance, wellbeing and educational outcomes for trans pupils.

Despite its concerns, Mermaids emphasised that schools continue to have duties to safeguard pupils, consider equality impacts, prevent bullying and provide pastoral support.

"It is vital that schools and colleges do not overlook the needs of trans children and young people in every aspect of school life," the charity said.

"Schools and colleges can and must still take steps to support and include trans children and young people, and to take transphobic bullying seriously."

Mermaids said it would continue working with education partners to advocate for what it described as "an accepting and supportive school environment where all students can learn and be their authentic selves".