Schools should not remind pupils of their gender, mental health expert says

Schools should stop addressing students as “girls” or boys because it can reinforce gender stereotypes, a former government mental health champion has said.

As reported by Tes, Speaking to heads at the Girls’ School Association (GSA) conference in Manchester, Natasha Devon said it was important for “heteronormative assumption” not to filter down into language and behaviour in schools.

Devon said: “To give you an example, I never walk into a room in an all girls’ school and say ‘girls’ or ‘ladies’ because it is patronising, but also because there might be transgender people in the room.

“I don’t think it is useful to be constantly reminded of your gender all the time and all the stereotypes that go with it.”

Instead, she called on teachers at all schools to simply address youngsters as “pupils”, “students” or even just “people”.