Now a pupil tells their teacher they identify as a FOX: Union leaders warn staff are fearing disciplinary action and schools are a ‘toxic’ environment for them
A pupil in Scotland told their school they identified as a fox amid what teaching unions have warned is a ‘toxic’ environment for staff.
Secondary teachers have been left fearing disciplinary action for either denying children their rights or indulging bizarre whims.
Union leaders are now demanding that ministers and councils act decisively to clear up the moral minefield.
Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ordered headteachers to confront outlandish identities after children in England and Wales declared themselves to be cats, dinosaurs, horses – and even a moon.
Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: ‘The Scottish government’s policy has opened the door to all sorts of strange things, and it’s an environment that is very toxic.
Secondary teachers have been left fearing disciplinary action for either denying children their rights or indulging bizarre whims. File image
A pupil in Scotland told their school they identified as a fox
‘Our job is to try to protect teachers and stop them from getting into more trouble than they’re already in.
‘It’s a very difficult time for teachers because of the Scottish government and the actions it took and then [the Gender Recognition Reform Bill] getting blocked by Westminster. They feel they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
‘Our legal advisers have highlighted the case of someone in Scotland who thought they were a fox, and the complications of such a case.
‘Our advice to teachers is that if a child tells them something like this, they mustn’t keep it confidential – speak to a senior person at the school, and tell the young person that is what you will do.’
Scottish Conservative spokesman for children and young people Meghan Gallacher said: ‘Our teachers, who are under enough pressure already due to a lack of support from the SNP, should not be left feeling like they have to walk on eggshells in the classroom.
‘As those representing teachers point out, the SNP’s policies are contributing to toxic situations like this. Ministers must ensure that a common-sense approach is taken and our teachers are fully aware of what guidance to follow when these issues arise.’
How schools deal with identity came into sharp focus in England last week after a teacher was recorded telling a 13-year-old she was ‘despicable’ for challenging the theory around multiple genders and contesting a classmate’s apparent belief that she is a cat.
Meanwhile, reports emerged of a Welsh pupil being allowed to ‘miaow’ when answering questions in lessons and another wearing a cape and claiming to be a moon.
No further information is known about the Scottish pupil identifying as a fox.
Last night, Stuart Waiton, chair of the Scottish Union for Education, which opposes transgender ideology in the classroom, said: ‘Many teachers get stuck trying to follow government guidelines that encourage transgenderism and therefore encourage children to “self-identify”.
‘It’s really the abdication of adult responsibility. It’s also pushed by activist teachers who think they’re progressive but are in fact doing immeasurable harm to children.’
A Scottish government spokesman said: ‘Schools should be a safe, supportive environment for all pupils, regardless of gender, where everyone’s rights are respected. All local authority guidance to schools should reflect this.
‘The Scottish government, Education Scotland and their partners have frameworks and programmes aimed at ensuring equality and diversity are at the heart of the school experience.’
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