Concerns Regarding the Scottish Government's Guidance on Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools

We have sent this letter to our Scottish Minister for Education as we continue to have major concerns about the Scottish Government's updated guidance, Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools. The guidance is neither appropriate nor helpful regarding effective support for the wellbeing of all children. As evidenced in our letter, we have written extensively explaining why we believe the Scottish Government is creating an educational context that compromises safeguarding. We point out that the Scottish Government has refused to engage with us as established experts in the field of children's development, yet it consistently engages with activists promoting an ideology.

Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education

Ms Jenny Gilruth,

Cabinet Secretary for Education,

Scottish Parliament,

Edinburgh,

EH99 1SP

October 17th, 2025

Dear Ms Gilruth,

I am writing on behalf of ScotPAG. We are a group of Scottish professionals from the fields of Education, Health, and Social Work. We wrote to you on 8th July regarding our concerns about the guidance, Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools. You did not respond other than an acknowledgment of receipt.

Ongoing Concerns

The updated guidance published recently continues to concern us significantly for the reasons outlined below.

A Manifesto for Confusion

We believe that the updated guidance does not improve on the previous version. Instead, it creates potential safeguarding issues, as outlined by Dr J Cunningham, a retired paediatrician. Link to article.

To date, the Scottish Government has refused to listen or consult with professionals knowledgeable about child development. Instead, it has preferred to listen to activists. There is also growing concern and anger among many families regarding harm already caused to their children and their family life.

The Importance of Professional Insight

The lack of engagement with professionals in child development is alarming. Experts in education, health, and social work have valuable insights that could contribute to a more balanced approach. Ignoring these voices may lead to unintended consequences for children and families.

The Role of Activism in Education

While activism plays a crucial role in advocating for change, it should not overshadow the need for evidence-based practices in education. We believe that the Scottish Government must strike a balance between listening to activists and considering the expertise of professionals in the field.

Request for Dialogue

We would welcome a meeting with you to discuss these issues further. Open dialogue is essential to ensure that the guidance provided is in the best interest of all children.

Yours sincerely,

Carolyn Brown

ScotPAG Convenor & Retired Depute Principal Psychologist

Co-signatories

Carole McKenzie, Retired Director of Education and Former HMI Inspector of Schools

June Campbell, Retired Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Dr Jenny Cunningham, Retired Paediatrician

Dr Brigid Daniel, Professor Emerita

Dr Angela Dixon, Retired GP

Pauline Fox, Retired Clinical Nurse Specialist/Team Lead

Dr xxxx xxxxx, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Maggie Mellon, Senior Social Worker

Conclusion

In conclusion, the guidance on Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools raises significant concerns. It is crucial for the Scottish Government to engage with professionals who understand child development. This will help ensure that the educational environment is safe and supportive for all children. We hope to foster a constructive dialogue that prioritises the wellbeing of every child in Scotland.