UK School Slammed For No Longer Admitting Transgender Pupils
Nottingham Girls' High School has an admissions policy based on an individuals legal sex
An all-girls' school in Nottingham is no longer accepting pupils that identify as transgender.
Nottingham Girls' High School will only take on students based on their legal sex record rather than the gender they identify as - meaning that transgender girls (who were assigned male at birth) will not be able to attend.
The school - which is run by the Girls' Day School Trust - brands itself on the website as being 'Progressive. Creative. Different'.
The decision has now been condemned by the local MP, Nadia Whittome, who told ITV News Central: "The trust is hiding behind the Equality Act as a reason for this policy not to admit transgender girls.
"But the Equality Act itself is clear on this, there's a provision in it that allows single sex schools to maintain their single sex exemption while also admitting pupils of the opposite sex in exceptional circumstances."
She went on to add: "What isn't so clear and what lawyers are concerned about is that in fact the trust's new policy is the one that could be unlawful."
According to reports, the trust has defended the move saying that it's to protect the status of the school as a single-sex facility.
Providing a statement to ITV, Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive Officer of the Girls' Day School Trust, said: "It is important to state first and foremost that the underlying principle of our policy is to offer a supportive educational environment to those students who are exploring their gender identity or in the process of transitioning.
"Our trans students are welcome in our schools and our policy primarily sets out ways in which schools can support them.
"A trans student already at our school can remain at the school for as long as they wish to do so. Young people exploring their gender identity need space and time to make decisions, free of pressure."
She went on to add: "The school has a responsibility to support a trans pupil and ensure measures are put in place to enable them to remain at their school. We will work together with them to make the best choices for their long-term wellbeing.
"GDST schools are able to operate a single-sex admissions policy, without breaching the Equality Act 2010 on the basis of an exemption relating to biological sex.
"Under current laws and guidance, the GDST believes that an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex recorded on a student’s birth certificate could jeopardise the status of GDST schools as single-sex schools under the act. We will continue to monitor the legal interpretation of this exemption."
After LADbible reached out to the school, they confirmed that they do have students who identify as trans and added: "They are welcome and they are supported here.
"The intention of the policy is to set out ways in which schools can support them throughout their time at school.
"A student who identifies as trans and already at our school can remain at the school for as long as they wish to do so. Young people exploring their gender identity need space and time to make decisions, free of pressure.
"The school has a responsibility to support a trans pupil and ensure measures are put in place to enable them to remain at their school.
"We work with them to make the best choices for their long-term wellbeing across all elements of their journey."
Featured Image Credit: Wiki CommonsRebecca Shepherd