Today, the Minister for Children and Families stated that he wouldn’t be “overly happy” about his daughters living in boarding houses with trans girls.
Will Quince explained that trans students can access single-sex educational spaces, but it is still a problem.
As he testified to the Education Select Committee, he made these comments while being grilled by MPs.
Caroline Johnson Tory MP said that parents had contacted her about Caroline Johnson’s concern over the presence of a transgender 18-year old woman at their teenage daughters’ boarding houses.

Will Quince stated that the question of trans students accessing single-sex education spaces is “a little bit of a minefield.”
She asked: ‘So what guidance does the department provide to schools on managing these situations in a sensitive way that provides for the privacy, dignity and wellbeing of all students?’
Quince responded: “This is an area that can be quite confusing, to be honest. We are working closely with government Equalities Office in order to develop our guidelines.
“Yes, RHSE Curriculum, aware the school that you refer is independent. I believe it fits within an ever-so slightly different framework.
“I believe there are two types of competing priorities. The 2010 Equalities Act, which emphasizes the importance of treating all children equally. It also recognizes protected characteristics and ensuring that these are recognized.
“But, at the same, every school has legal obligations. A duty to safeguard, protect, and promote the welfare for all children. On the basis of what you just said, as an adult, especially a parent with two young daughters, I wouldn’t be too happy about the situation you’ve described.
“So it seems that it’s independent makes it a little more difficult. However, I recommend parents speaking with the headteacher, governors, and raising the matter if possible because Ofsted does not cover them but the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Ms Johnson asked whether the government should provide guidance for schools regarding the matter.
Ms. Quince told her that it was a minefield. However, schools do need guidance in navigating the minefield.
“Would it not be better if the government provided detailed guidance about how schools can manage all students’ wellbeing?
Quince stated that he would speak with the Schools Minister. He also mentioned that he was certain that the Government Equalities Office will continue to be in process.
“But you also need schools to use common sense, follow current law and protect the rights of others.

Caroline Johnson Tory MP said that parents had contacted her about Caroline Johnson’s concern over a transgender 18-year old woman living in their teenage daughters’ boarding house.
Mermaids spokeswoman said, “We hear that many schools are doing a fantastic job supporting students with gender differences who want to be able to fully focus on school.”
‘The small number of schools that are using financial resources and staff time to organise a blanket ban on trans pupils attending single sex schools is really sad and perplexing – can we think of another marginalised population of young people where this happens?
‘At the heart of this is a young person who wants to learn, as themselves – it’s actually very simple when you think of it like that.
“We can look back at history and recall that gender was a reason girls were denied access, and we now have an institution that denies access to another marginalised learner group. What are we going to do?