Primary school head defiant after discussing transgender issues with kids

A primary school headteacher has defended her decision to hold a discussion around transgender issues with her pupils, despite complaints from parents.

Emma Maltby, of St Mary the Virgin Primary School in Hartfield, has implemented a programme through which pupils discuss issues around gender and transgender people. As a result, some parents have reportedly pulled their children from the school.

In a parents meeting on Monday night she explained that she felt this was important for the children, and intended to pursue her course of action.

“As part of the national curriculum, we spend time talking to the children about British values of tolerance, respect and celebrating differences,” the Kent and Sussex Courier reports Ms Maltby as saying.

She told the group that since she announced her intention to discussion gender identity with the children, she had engaged with parents, she had a largely positive response, but three families chose to withdraw their children from the school.

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She explained, “St Mary’s is an extremely inclusive school which embraces and celebrates difference and encourages children to be themselves. While some parents may have felt uneasy discussing a topic such as gender identity, our priority is to give pupils a well-rounded education and help them become responsible, independent people able to respect others.”

One parent, who spoke to the newspaper anonymously, said, “There is great unease among the parents, there have been complaints to the headteacher, and some parents announced their intention to keep their children from school on at least one day.”

There is also a document being given to the children, written in conjunction with Brighton based Allsorts Youth Project, which is designed to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people to take a lead in raising awareness and challenge prejudice and discrimination”.

However, the concerned parent added that some people, “feel the welfare of their children is under threat from the instructions given in this document.”

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