FOI Request - Pronouns and Titles
Request 101003809021
1. What rules/policies do Moray 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?
2. What rules/policies do Moray 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?
3. What rules/policies do Moray 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?
4. What sanctions/follow up actions are there for Moray Council Primary School pupils who do not adhere to specific requested pronouns / titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) indicated by staff members?
5. What sanctions/follow up actions are there for Moray Council Secondary School pupils who do not adhere to specific requested pronouns / titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) indicated by staff members?
6.a) Would alleged 'misgendering', including the incorrect use of titles (ie Mr/Miss/Mx) or pronouns of Moray Council teaching staff members by Primary School and Secondary School pupils be recorded on SEEMIS?
b) If so under what category within SEEMIS would that be recorded?
7. How many pupils at Moray 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?
8. How many pupils at Moray 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 16-07-2025
1.-3. We have the following guidance to schools from INCLUDE Guidance Moray:
Language
Staff should be encouraged to use supportive language to help parents, carers, children and young people to feel as welcome and supported as possible. Staff should consider the use of the child or young person’s preferred pronouns and encouraging the use of gender-neutral language; using vocabulary that is accessible to all and giving definitions when necessary. Keeping in mind that all children and young people will be coming from diverse backgrounds, for example, and will have different cultural or religious beliefs. In addition, it is important to ensure that images and language are appropriate when dealing with sensitive matters and be aware that this may engender a trauma response for some children and young people.
Parents, carers, children and young people should be encouraged and supported to treat others with empathy, respect and use appropriate language.
Policies/ Letters
In order to make sure that all letters and policies are inclusive use the following ideas:
• Use the singular “they/them” pronoun instead or as well as “he/she” to include all pupils who may not identify as male or female. Likewise, consider using “child” or “young person” as opposed to “son/daughter”.
• Make sure letters are addressed to ‘parents or carers’ to acknowledge all family situations.
• Educational settings should consider accessibility of communication for all.
• Ensure that language used within all documents is accessible for all.
• Consider translation where English is an additional language.
4. & 5. This would be up to individual Head Teachers.
6.a) Yes
b) This should be recorded through the Bullying and equalities module on SEEMIS
7. & 8. To answer these questions, we would have to read through thousands of pupil files individually. This task would cost the Council in excess of £600 of staff time. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (excessive cost), we are therefore unable to comply with this part of the request.