Protection from harassment? Not if the DfE gets its way
Literally saying that being gender critical overrides protections against harassment.
February 12, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Protection from harassment? Not if the DfE gets its way
This is what the DfE draft is aimed at
Cass wants to pathologize even the aspects of transition that are available outside of a medical context. To call for the enforcement of gender norms on a group that finds that intensely distressing is despicable.
February 12, 2026 at 5:31 PM
This is what the DfE draft is aimed at
So, it looks like the new DfE guidance on trans students in schools incorporates recommendations from the Cass report. Suffice to say that is an *incredibly awful* decision.
Here's a thread with my analysis of Cass on social transition from back in 2024.
Here's a thread with my analysis of Cass on social transition from back in 2024.
In Chapter 12, Cass considers social transition.
As per §12.2, this might include haircuts, clothing, name change, and pronoun usage.
As per §12.2, this might include haircuts, clothing, name change, and pronoun usage.
February 12, 2026 at 3:56 PM
So, it looks like the new DfE guidance on trans students in schools incorporates recommendations from the Cass report. Suffice to say that is an *incredibly awful* decision.
Here's a thread with my analysis of Cass on social transition from back in 2024.
Here's a thread with my analysis of Cass on social transition from back in 2024.
The DFE guidance defacto constitutes coversion therapy.
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The DFE guidance defacto constitutes coversion therapy.
Tbh I’m more worried about today’s new transphobic guidance from the DfE and Hilary Cass continuing campaign of recommending conversion therapy than the outcomes of GLP v EHRC.
February 12, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Tbh I’m more worried about today’s new transphobic guidance from the DfE and Hilary Cass continuing campaign of recommending conversion therapy than the outcomes of GLP v EHRC.
The draft guidance from the DfE states that it's about safeguarding children and requires a child-centred approach, then promptly declares that in the case of a child wanting to transition, one must consider the effect on everyone else, or whether the child is just autistic 😩
February 13, 2026 at 9:01 AM
The draft guidance from the DfE states that it's about safeguarding children and requires a child-centred approach, then promptly declares that in the case of a child wanting to transition, one must consider the effect on everyone else, or whether the child is just autistic 😩
From what I could see, there were only five LGBT+ people in the public gallery, and I was the only trans woman there.
It appears the DfE will impose state-sanctioned harassment, taking advantage of the longstanding carve-out that leaves LGBT+ pupils without proper protection from harassment.
It appears the DfE will impose state-sanctioned harassment, taking advantage of the longstanding carve-out that leaves LGBT+ pupils without proper protection from harassment.
February 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
From what I could see, there were only five LGBT+ people in the public gallery, and I was the only trans woman there.
It appears the DfE will impose state-sanctioned harassment, taking advantage of the longstanding carve-out that leaves LGBT+ pupils without proper protection from harassment.
It appears the DfE will impose state-sanctioned harassment, taking advantage of the longstanding carve-out that leaves LGBT+ pupils without proper protection from harassment.
"In a statement released by the DfE, Phillipson said: “This is about pragmatic support for teachers, reassurance for parents and, above all, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.”"
February 13, 2026 at 8:29 AM
"In a statement released by the DfE, Phillipson said: “This is about pragmatic support for teachers, reassurance for parents and, above all, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.”"
Someone shouting angrily across the road from Church House, but I think it might actually be aimed at the DfE in this case.
February 11, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Someone shouting angrily across the road from Church House, but I think it might actually be aimed at the DfE in this case.
Did you grow up under Section 28? Vote @greenparty.org.uk to fight back against Labour's reintroduction of that horrific legislation via DFE guidance.
Good to be back out for Labour's Angeliki Stogia in Gorton and Denton.
A great candidate 🌹 A great team effort
A great candidate 🌹 A great team effort
February 12, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Did you grow up under Section 28? Vote @greenparty.org.uk to fight back against Labour's reintroduction of that horrific legislation via DFE guidance.
Is someone taking the DfE to JR. It is Nazi level shit that needs taking all the way to ECtHR if necessary
February 12, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Is someone taking the DfE to JR. It is Nazi level shit that needs taking all the way to ECtHR if necessary
A statement on the High Court ruling and the recent guidance from the Department of Education regarding trans youth.
February 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A statement on the High Court ruling and the recent guidance from the Department of Education regarding trans youth.
Why? Labour are a far right party. The Home Office is currently tweeting out Trumpist language about its performative cruelty and the DfE wants to leverage the state against trans children. If you vibe with that why not vote Reform?
February 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Why? Labour are a far right party. The Home Office is currently tweeting out Trumpist language about its performative cruelty and the DfE wants to leverage the state against trans children. If you vibe with that why not vote Reform?
The fact that a lesbian Labour MP (Rachel Taylor) is supporting the government's horrific DFE guidance actually makes me want to cry.
February 12, 2026 at 8:17 PM
The fact that a lesbian Labour MP (Rachel Taylor) is supporting the government's horrific DFE guidance actually makes me want to cry.
The DFE draft guidance is here.
But it IS still up for consultation.
I know they will probably ignore us but I still think it's worth responding.
But it IS still up for consultation.
I know they will probably ignore us but I still think it's worth responding.
Draft guidance (up for consultation) is here
consult.education.gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 4:41 PM
The DFE draft guidance is here.
But it IS still up for consultation.
I know they will probably ignore us but I still think it's worth responding.
But it IS still up for consultation.
I know they will probably ignore us but I still think it's worth responding.
And are not trans kids at school service users? Does today’s ruling render yesterday’s DfE guidance illegal?
February 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM
And are not trans kids at school service users? Does today’s ruling render yesterday’s DfE guidance illegal?
Education is devolved btw so I'm not convinced that Reform could carry out their ridiculous threats anyway. It's amazing how often people forget that the DfE/UK government only runs education in England.
February 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Education is devolved btw so I'm not convinced that Reform could carry out their ridiculous threats anyway. It's amazing how often people forget that the DfE/UK government only runs education in England.
I worked for Chris Wormald for over three years. He was a profoundly decent guy and ensured DfE delivered the most consequential reforms of any government department in preceding decades.
February 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM
I worked for Chris Wormald for over three years. He was a profoundly decent guy and ensured DfE delivered the most consequential reforms of any government department in preceding decades.
This is an incredibly important blog by my colleague Lucy Hinchliffe on behalf of @engmediacentre.bsky.social All English teachers should take a look & DfE should definitely be talking to us about this. If they get this wrong, nothing else will go right in the Nat Curric for English.
Yesterday we posted a series of blogs outlining the direction we would like curriculum reform to go in and airing some of our concerns about where it might go. Here's an additional blog focusing on assessment www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/curricu...
Curriculum reform + getting formative assessment right
The importance of curriculum reform promoting formative assessment and combatting the dominance of the summative
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 6:43 PM
This is an incredibly important blog by my colleague Lucy Hinchliffe on behalf of @engmediacentre.bsky.social All English teachers should take a look & DfE should definitely be talking to us about this. If they get this wrong, nothing else will go right in the Nat Curric for English.
A rare recognition on the part of DfE that universities are not simply 'big schools' and are instead institutions that combine high-level teaching and research in ways that matter on a global political and scientific stage. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers.
UK universities told to step up defences against intimidation by China
Security services to launch advisory scheme for threatened academics in wake of Sheffield Hallam row
giftarticle.ft.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:37 AM
A rare recognition on the part of DfE that universities are not simply 'big schools' and are instead institutions that combine high-level teaching and research in ways that matter on a global political and scientific stage. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers.
February 12, 2026 at 6:54 PM
All secondary schools will be expected to have 'inclusion bases' where 'pupils can access targeted support that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist provision', the government has said
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
'Inclusion bases' expectation for all secondary schools
Each school would have a 'dedicated safe space where pupils can access targeted support', says DfE
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:06 AM
All secondary schools will be expected to have 'inclusion bases' where 'pupils can access targeted support that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist provision', the government has said
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-expects-all-secondary-schools-to-have-inclusion-bases/
This is abuse.
From the proposed update to school guidance (England).
From the proposed update to school guidance (England).
February 12, 2026 at 11:37 PM
This is abuse.
From the proposed update to school guidance (England).
From the proposed update to school guidance (England).
If you are concerned about Labour's proposed DFE guidance - which recklessly endangers children - consider donating to akt, a charity dedicated to homeless LGBTQ youth.
www.akt.org.uk/donate/
www.akt.org.uk/donate/
Donate - Support LGBTQ+ Youth at Risk of Homelessness
You can get an LGBTQ+ young person off the streets today. Thank you for choosing to give LGBTQ+ youth safe homes.
www.akt.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:17 PM
If you are concerned about Labour's proposed DFE guidance - which recklessly endangers children - consider donating to akt, a charity dedicated to homeless LGBTQ youth.
www.akt.org.uk/donate/
www.akt.org.uk/donate/
Because it is so much easier to assess pupil progress by marking test questions which simply require the recall of info. Easier to mark for non-specialists or AI. Interested parties like OFSTED, SLT & DFE get a plethora of data for their horrendous pupil progress machine.
February 12, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Because it is so much easier to assess pupil progress by marking test questions which simply require the recall of info. Easier to mark for non-specialists or AI. Interested parties like OFSTED, SLT & DFE get a plethora of data for their horrendous pupil progress machine.