Credit: This story was first seen on the Daily Mirror
A transgender teenager is taking legal action against his former private school over claims they discriminated him, the Daily Mirror reports.
Aidan, 16, who was born female, claims he was effectively excluded because it refused to let him wear a boy’s uniform.
Aidan told the BBC that when he came out as a boy his mother was “definitely heartbroken” but he had the support of his mum and GP as he began his transition.
“I feel like she had dreams of seeing her daughter getting married and having children,” he said. “She definitely needed time to mourn and I needed to let her have that time.”
When he told the school he did not want to be addressed as a girl or wear girl’s clothes, he claims staff said it was a “phase” that he would grow out of.
He said he was told he was “attention seeking”. “They didn’t really take it seriously,” he added.
Mother Jackie described the school’s treatment as “appalling”.
“They made my child out to be a freak and someone who would contaminate other students,” she claimed.
“It is like a bereavement, I’ve lost my daughter and sort of certain expectations of the future, but I still have my lovely son. I wouldn’t be without him. He’s brilliant.”
The BBC adds that a letter from Aidan’s mother to the school’s chair of governors says she had no choice but to remove her son from the school.
She says she was told the school was “inadequately prepared to accommodate Aidan’s needs and give him the high level of support and pastoral care that he deserves”.
“I feel like it’s only natural that schools would learn to at least be accepting of people who were going through it,” Aidan added. “They’re already suffering enough, I would know it.”
The legal action is due be dealt with in court, but is at an early stage.
The guidance issued by the Department for Education is that it is unlawful for schools to treat students less favourably because of their gender reassignment.
It also states schools must factor in gender reassignment when considering their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
In a statement Hereford Cathedral School, which charges more than £13,0000 annually to attend, said: “The continued happiness, wellbeing and safety of our pupils is the top priority. The family’s grievances against the school are the subject of current legal proceedings.
“For that reason the school is unable to discuss any details relating to this matter at the present time, other than to state that it will defend its position in the proceedings.”