Dear S Dransfield,
Firstly, thanks for contacting school to request information on this
important issue.
I have added responses directly to your questions below:
1. Does your school inform the parents or guardians of a child as soon
they express that he or she might be a different gender to their sex, or a
wish to change gender? Any judgement on timeframes would be made in
discussion with our DSL and Headteacher, but would be made on a
case-by-case basis, considering contextual information specific to the
child. (E.g. the child's understanding and competency.) We work closely
with our parents/carers and have strong, often longstanding relationships.
It would not be unusual for information to come to school in the reverse
direction. Parents/carers often approach school for information and
advice.
2. Does your school operate a policy of self-ID for a child’s chosen
gender; in other words, do you affirm a child in their chosen gender?
Again, any judgement would be made in discussion with our DSL and
Headteacher, but would be made on a case-by-case basis, considering
contextual information specific to the child. (E.g. the child's
understanding and competency.) We have supported students, who wish to be
addressed by a chosen name. This would be done in consultation with
parents/carers.
3. Which agencies and/or professionals do you consult when a child tells
you they wish to change their gender? This would be specific to the
student, considering wider contextual information. We have worked
previously with the NHS and Mermaids.
4. Does your school allow a child whose chosen gender is different from
their sex to:
a. Use toilets defined according to their chosen gender, rather than their
sex? We have non-gender-specific toilets, which students can use.
b. Use changing rooms according to their chosen gender, rather than their
sex? We have not had a student express a desire to do this so far. Some
students choose to change in a separate changing facility; this can be for
a variety of reasons.
c. Take part in sporting activities according to their chosen gender,
rather than their sex? We have some mixed-gender lessons. We would support
a child to take part in sporting activity, according to their chosen
gender, if appropriate. (I.e. fully supported by key staff and in
agreement with parent/carer and other professionals, as appropriate.)
d. Use single sex accommodation on residential trips according to their
chosen gender, rather than their sex? Any judgement on residential
accommodation would be made in discussion with our DSL and Headteacher,
but would be made on a case-by-case basis, considering contextual
information specific to the child. (E.g. the child's understanding and
competency.) 
5. Does your school require other children to refer to a child who has
chosen a different gender by their chosen name and preferred pronouns?
There is no set policy on this.
6. Has your school ever carried out an Equality Impact Assessment to
determine the impact on other children of being required to affirm a child
in their chosen gender? We haven't carried out an Equality Impact
Assessment to determine the impact on other children of being required to
affirm a child in their chosen gender. However, the approach to supporting
students, parents and carers with decisions being made on a case-by-case
basis has been discussed with the governing body who have supported the
approach.
If you require anything further, please let me know.
Kind regards,

Mark Hancock

The pronouns I use are: He/His/Him

Assistant Headteacher (Climate for Learning)

Ralph Thoresby School

(0113) 3979911

From: S Dransfield <[1][FOI #1051805 email]>
Sent: 26 November 2023 18:33
To: Will Carr <[2][email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - School policies relating to sex,
gender and self identification.

Dear Ralph Thoresby School, Leeds,

I am conducting research under the Freedom of Information Act. Thank you
for taking the time to answer my questions.

The terms involved in this topic can often become muddled. For the
purposes of this FOI I am using the following definitions:
Sex = biological or natal sex
Gender = the way in which a person chooses to present or identify. This
may differ from their sex.

1. Does your school inform the parents or guardians of a child as soon
they express that he or she might be a different gender to their sex, or a
wish to change gender?
2. Does your school operate a policy of self-ID for a child’s chosen
gender; in other words, do you affirm a child in their chosen gender?
3. Which agencies and/or professionals do you consult when a child tells
you they wish to change their gender?
4. Does your school allow a child whose chosen gender is different from
their sex to:
a. Use toilets defined according to their chosen gender, rather than their
sex?
b. Use changing rooms according to their chosen gender, rather than their
sex?
c. Take part in sporting activities according to their chosen gender,
rather than their sex?
d. Use single sex accommodation on residential trips according to their
chosen gender, rather than their sex?
5. Does your school require other children to refer to a child who has
chosen a different gender by their chosen name and preferred pronouns?
6. Has your school ever carried out an Equality Impact Assessment to
determine the impact on other children of being required to affirm a child
in their chosen gender?

I would be grateful if you would send me copies of any school policy
documents or guidance for staff on issues of sex and gender, such as your
EDI Policy, Transgender Student Policy, School Trips Policy.

Yours faithfully,

S Dransfield

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