Exam boards aim to record GCSE and A-level results of transgender pupils
Exam chiefs have drawn up plans to record the GCSE and A-level results of transgender pupils for the first time after consulting controversial LGBT charity Stonewall, it has emerged.
JCQ, the body representing exam boards including AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC and SQA, said it was looking at ‘collecting data’ on entries by ‘non-binary’ pupils, as well as the usual male/female characteristics.
It could mean adding an extra category when schools and exam centres are asked about a candidate’s sex, Mail+ reported.
Stock image of pupils sitting an exam in a classroom
The plan was agreed upon in consultation with stakeholders as well as Stonewall, the LGBT group recently accused of trying to shut down the debate on trans issues.
Though is understood to be in an early stage, and there are no details about how it would be implemented, it could have wide-ranging consequences for how exam results are recorded.
Critics furiously warned it could mean ‘losing’ vital data on sex which would hamper efforts to fight inequality.
Maya Forstater, executive director of Sex Matters, said: ‘If information on the sex of some students is not being collected because they declare themselves non-binary, it undermines the statistics.
Undated file photo of students sitting an exam
‘It will matter even if it’s just a small number, when you’re looking at trends over time or subjects that not many children take, for example.
‘You are losing data, and the potential to see whether girls are doing better than boys or vice versa.’
A JCQ spokesman said: ‘The JCQ tables currently include breakdowns by male and female gender types.
‘JCQ and its member awarding organisations do not collect the data required to include the provision of non-binary candidates.
‘However, after consultation with stakeholders and employee representation groups from awarding organisations and one of our members consulting with Stonewall, we are pleased to share that we will be looking at this in the future.
‘We commit to consulting with key stakeholders to demonstrate our continued support for the non-binary community.’
