British rights groups criticize new transgender rules for schools

Illustrative image of a schoolchild. Photo: hristiane

On February 16, 2026, Christian and family rights organizations in the United Kingdom criticized a draft of government guidance on how schools should work with children who identify as transgender. The document, published by the Department for Education and opened for a 10-week consultation period, has drawn wide public attention, Christian Today reports.

The draft states that primary schools should not encourage so-called social transition, but it allows it at the child’s own initiative. Should a child request such a transition it should be treated “very carefully,” and parents are to be consulted and involved in the “vast majority” of cases, unless there is a genuine safeguarding risk to the child.

.At the same time, access to toilets, changing rooms, and other facilities is to be determined solely by biological sex.

The Christian legal advocacy center Christian Concern and the largest evangelical public organization, The Christian Institute, said the guidance does not provide sufficient protection for children. In their view, schools should not facilitate the affirmation of a gender identity different from biological sex, and any such cases should require mandatory parental involvement.

The Family Education Trust called a number of provisions in the document “shameful,” expressing concern about safety issues. The Scottish Christian initiative Unite for Education urged a more cautious approach and uniform standards across the country.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Synod of the Church of England froze reforms on same-sex unions in the Church.

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