The UK Department for Education is to conduct an investigation at Rye School, located in East Sussex, following a dispute between a teacher and two pupils who refused to identify another classmate as an animal, specifically a cat. According to reports, the teacher reprimanded the two girls for not accepting their classmate’s request, and in a recording of the conversation, the teacher can be heard scolding them for having an opinion considered “incorrect” about the existence of only two genders, as well as telling them that they had upset the “cat” by calling her a “girl.” The teacher also spoke about gender equality and diversity, suggesting the girls change schools if they did not like them.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has ordered an investigation into the school in question and said teachers should not teach controversial ideologies as if they were proven facts. The Prime Minister’s spokesman, Rishi Sunak, stressed the importance of parents and guardians being able to trust children not to be influenced by the personal views of those educating them, and that any example of this would be inappropriate.
The school representative assured that staff are committed to providing an inclusive education, listening to the views of pupils, and encouraging their participation in discussions and questions. In addition, it is reviewing internal processes and working with the people involved to prevent similar situations from recurring in the future.
The government has announced its intention to publish a new draft providing guidelines on how to address students’ gender identity and has also convened an independent commission to review the Department of Education’s sex education standards and report back in the fall.