Do you know someone whose child has been labelled ‘transphobic’? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk
The parents of a boy removed from school over a gender identity row have weighed in on a toddler being kicked out nursery for being ‘transphobic’.
Sally Rowe and her husband Nigel appeared on GB News last night where they described recent events as a reflection of the ‘tragedy of our society’.
It comes after a child, aged either three or four, was suspended for ‘abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity’ in the 2022-23 academic year, according to data from the Department for Education (DfE).
Speaking to the broadcaster, Mr Rowe said: ‘This is insane. How can three or four year olds – or any child – make any kind of decision like that?
‘What road are we going down as a society where we’re pushing this stuff on such young children?
‘Parents around the country are clearly in a situation where their child might be excluded from nursery or from school – your lives can be ruined.
‘We want to encourage these parents to speak out. I think most people will agree with what we think and yet they’re being treated in this way.’
The recent offences involving a ‘transphobic toddler’ took place at a state school, as reported by The Telegraph.
Nigel Rowe and and wife Sally appeared on GB News this evening where they described recent events as a reflection of the ‘tragedy of our society’
Statistics indicate 94 pupils at similar primary institutions were suspended or permanently excluded for transphobia or homophobia in 2022-23 (file image)
Previously, Mr and Mrs Rowe made headlines in 2017 when they objected to guidance given at their children’s Church of England school in the Isle of Wight that pupils could be transphobic if they showed ‘an inability to believe a transgender person is actually a ”real” female or male.’
They couple pulled their two children out of the primary after their six-year-old son came home confused that a boy in his class had begun inconsistently wearing a dress and identifying as a girl.
Their judicial review over the Department for Education’s refusal to intervene in the cases was thought to have sparked the row over the need for official advice.
The pair later said they felt they had been proved right with the guidelines that said teachers and pupils should not be ‘compelled’ to use a child’s preferred pronouns.
DfE statistics indicate 94 pupils at primary schools were suspended or permanently excluded for transphobia or homophobia in the 2022-23 academic year.
This included ten pupils from Year 1 and three from Year 2, where the maximum age was seven, and one child was of nursery age.
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at Sex Matters, said: ‘Every once in a while, the extremes of gender ideology throw up a story that seems too crazy to believe, and a toddler being suspended from nursery for so-called “transphobia” or homophobia is one such example.
‘Teachers and school leaders involved in this insanity should be ashamed of themselves for projecting adult concepts and beliefs on to such young children.’
Nigel and Sally Rowe (pictured) objected to the guidance being given at their two sons’ Church of England school
Across all primary schools and state schools, the number of pupils suspended or expelled for homophobic or transphobic behaviour increased from 164 in 2021-22 to 178 in 2022-23.
The largest number of suspensions for this reason in 2022-23 was in Essex, with 16, followed by Birmingham, 15, Bradford, 11 and Norfolk, eight.
Figures began in the 2020-21 academic year.
The DfE said: ‘All pupils and staff should feel safe and protected at school and should never face violence or abuse.
‘The Education Secretary has been clear that she expects school leaders to enforce good behaviour and we are committed to a comprehensive programme of behaviour support for schools.
‘Our Plan for Change sets out our relentless focus on making sure every child gets the best life chances.’
