Overview

• A toddler aged three or four was suspended from a nursery during the 2022-23 academic year for alleged 'abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity,' according to Department for Education (DfE) data.
• The number of suspensions and expulsions for homophobic or transphobic behavior in schools increased from 164 in 2021-22 to 178 in 2022-23, with further rises reported in the 2023 autumn term.
• Critics argue that applying policies addressing transphobia and homophobia to very young children reflects an inappropriate imposition of adult ideological concepts onto early childhood education.
• The Department for Education defends its policies, emphasizing the importance of safety and behavior enforcement in schools, supported by a comprehensive behavior support program.
• Geographic data shows Essex, Birmingham, Bradford, and Norfolk recording the highest numbers of suspensions for homophobia and transphobia in 2022-23.