‘BEING LGBT IN SCHOOL’

CASE-STUDY OF
GENDER TRANSITION
IN A SINGLE-SEX SCHOOL
The following is based on real
situations in a single-sex school
in Ireland. The approaches taken
by the school were decided
following discussions involving two
students, their parents, the school
principal and guidance counsellor
with support from external
organisations. To protect identity
the following section has been
anonymised and presented
as a composite narrative of the
two students’ individual stories.
BACKGROUND
The principal of a single-sex school first
became aware that a student was transgender
during the first year of senior cycle.
The particular student was already under the
care of the student support team due
to unrelated issues.
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The student came to the principal
with a request in relation to the school
uniform. At this stage the parents
were not involved. In discussion with
the student it was agreed to involve
the parents.
Once the parents became involved the
principal met with them many times
and all changes were made with the
consent of all involved.
In the single-sex context an initial
concern for the principal related to
practical arrangements, such as the
school uniform. The actions that follow
were essentially led by the individual
student and his parents, who led the
timing and approach to be taken by
the school.
SCHOOL UNIFORM:
The school has a PE uniform that could be
considered unisex. It was agreed that the
student would wear the PE uniform as
the day to day uniform.
TOILETS AND
CHANGING ROOMS:
The school has a stand-alone toilet facility
which was agreed as being the toilet the
student would use. This would also act as a
changing facility where necessary. This
was the decision that the student was
most comfortable with.
NAME & PRONOUN:
It was agreed that the school would adopt
the new pronoun and first name requested
by the student.
DEALING WITH
OTHER STUDENTS:
In agreement with the parents of the student,
the school suggested that the student stay
at home on a particular day to provide an
opportunity for class tutors in that year
group to speak with the other students and
explain the changes that were taking place.
The absence of the student meant the class
tutor could encourage other students to ask
questions without feeling inhibited. The
school felt this was a very important step in
order to build awareness and understanding
and prevent transphobic bullying.
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‘Being LGBT in School’