- Title or Description
- Use of Pronouns in Scottish Borders Council and Schools
- FOI Number
- 20250791
- Date Received
- 20/06/2025
- Type of Request
- FOI
- Request or Question
-
What rules/policies do Scottish Borders Council have in relation to the use of individual staff members and pupils desired 'pronouns' or titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) at Primary Schools in the local authority area? What rules/policies do Scottish Borders Council have in relation to the use of individual staff members and pupils desired 'pronouns' or titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) at Secondary Schools in the local authority area?
What rules/policies do Scottish Borders Council have specifically on the use of terminology relating to staff members titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) or pronouns when a teaching member of staff requests their pupils to address them by 'gender neutral' terms?
What sanctions/follow up actions are there for Scottish Borders Council Primary School pupils who do not adhere to specific requested pronouns / titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) indicated by staff members?
What sanctions/follow up actions are there for Scottish Borders Council Secondary School pupils who do not adhere to specific requested pronouns / titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) indicated by staff members?
Would alleged 'misgendering', including the incorrect use of titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) or pronouns of Scottish Borders Council teaching staff members by Primary School and Secondary School pupils be recorded on SEEMIS?
If so under what category within SEEMIS would that be recorded? How many pupils at Scottish Borders Council Primary Schools have been sanctioned/faced follow up actions (including the recording of such on SEEMIS) for alleged 'misgendering' in the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date?
How many pupils at Scottish Borders Council Secondary Schools have been sanctioned/faced follow up actions (including the recording of such on SEEMIS) for alleged 'misgendering' in the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date? - Response
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1. There is no SBC specific policy in relation to this but general guidance would be taken from SBC?s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy. In Education we would reference the Respectful Relationships and Anti Bullying Policy (currently being updated), SBC Inclusion Policy and relevant Scottish Government Guidance, such as the LGBT Inclusive Education Guidance.
2.There is no SBC specific policy in relation to this but general guidance would be taken from SBC?s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy. In Education we would reference the Respectful Relationships and Anti Bullying Policy (currently being updated), SBC Inclusion Policy and relevant Scottish Government Guidance, such as the LGBT Inclusive Education Guidance
3.There is no SBC specific policy in relation to this but general guidance would be taken from SBC?s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy. In Education we would reference the Respectful Relationships and Anti Bullying Policy (currently being updated), SBC Inclusion Policy and relevant Scottish Government Guidance , such as the LGBT Inclusive Education Guidance.
4.This would be treated on a case-by-case basis but would be guided by the Respectful Relationships and Anti Bullying Policy (Respectful Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy | Scottish Borders Council )and Inclusion Policy.
5 This would be treated on a case-by-case basis but would be guided by the Respectful Relationships and Anti Bullying Policy (Respectful Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy | Scottish Borders Council )and Inclusion Policy.
6. If there were discussions taking place with a young person around a particular issue, then the details of this would be noted on the pupil?s pastoral notes
7.The information you have requested cannot be provided because Scottish Borders Council does not hold it and therefore we give notice under s17 of FOI(S)A 2002 and declare that the information is not held.
8. The information you have requested cannot be provided because Scottish Borders Council does not hold it and therefore we give notice under s17 of FOI(S)A 2002 and declare that the information is not held.
