Model policy for schools: updated
Sex Matters’ model policy for schools has now been updated following the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland.
The Supreme Court’s judgment relates only to people with gender-recognition certificates (GRCs), who must be adults. But the Supreme Court confirmed what should have been obvious all along. Neither a certificate nor a strong wish to be the opposite sex or personal steps such as changing name, clothing or hairstyle, taking hormones or having cosmetic surgery can change a person’s sex.
Children who are distressed about their sex should be protected from harm and from bullying. But if a child, their parents (or even their doctor) asks if the school can allow a child to use opposite-sex facilities and refer to them and treat them as if they were the opposite sex, the answer should always have been No.
School leaders, teachers and school staff need to know, record and use information on every child’s sex. They cannot safely pretend that some children have changed sex.
Policies adopted by local authorities such as Brighton and Hove City Council that are based on the idea that schools must try to avoid “outing” a child’s sex are unworkable and unlawful, and put children at risk.
Our model policy enables a school to set out clearly why it needs to record and refer to each child’s sex, and then to say confidently:
As a school we follow the Equality Act 2010 , as clarified by the Supreme Court in 2025 and have also taken notice of the findings of the Cass Review. We welcome all children and young people, and we seek to provide an inclusive environment. We aim to act safely, effectively and compassionately to support all pupils to access education, pursue their interests, use the school facilities and participate in the life of the school.
As set out in this policy, we cannot safely or legally record or refer to a child as anything other than the sex that they are. The school cannot admit a child as if they were the opposite sex, agree to treat their sex as confidential or misrepresent their sex verbally or in writing. This would be incompatible with our legal obligations, behaviour policy and safeguarding, and would undermine the smooth running of the school and its ability to provide fair and safe access to education to all our pupils.
Official guidance for schools in England is expected from the Department for Education before pupils return in September. It should direct schools that they are not to pretend that people can change sex, because they are not keeping children safe if they do so.
We have sent our updated model policy to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP.
Download our updated model policy: