Brave Schoolgirl, 13, forces council to scrap 'transgender toilets plan'

A 13-year-old schoolgirl has won a court battle to force a county council to scrap its transgender 'toilets toolkit' which she said threatened her safety and privacy.

She took Oxfordshire County Council to the High Court and the authority has now confirmed the 'Trans Inclusion Toolkit' has been withdrawn.

But she said the council still hasn't apologised or admitted it was wrong in drawing up the toolkit.

The toolkit included advice that trans pupils should be able to use whatever toilets, changing rooms and school trip dorm rooms they prefer.

She said the 65-page guide threatened her safety, privacy and dignity when she wanted to spend a penny at school.

Oxfordshire County Council produced the toolkit last year, advising teachers in schools and colleges on how transgender students should be treated.

The 13-year-old girl, who hasn't been named publicly, brought a legal challenge against the guidance, seeking a judicial review at the High Court.

She said it was unfair and made her feel powerless, and last month a judge allowed her to challenge the county council.

At the time, she said: 'I am very surprised that the council never asked the opinion of girls in Oxfordshire about what we thought before they published the toolkit.

'Under these guidelines I have no right to privacy from the opposite sex in changing rooms, loos or on residential trips.

'It makes me feel sad, powerless and confused. I don't understand how allowing boys and girls to share private spaces is okay.'

Now the council has withdrawn the toolkit and said it will instead follow incoming national guidance on how transgender children should be treated instead.

Because the toolkit is no longer an official document, it means the judicial review can no longer go ahead.