A toddler was reportedly excluded from nursery for being “transphobic”, newly released figures have revealed.
According to data from the Department for Education (DfE), the child – believed to be either three or four years old – was suspended for what was described as “abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity”.
The incident occurred during the 2022–23 academic year at a state school, as reported by The Telegraph. No further details about the case were made public.
In the same academic year, 94 pupils at state primary schools across England were either suspended or permanently excluded due to behaviour deemed transphobic or homophobic.
Among those, ten were pupils in Year 1 and three were in Year 2, where children are typically no older than seven.
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at the campaign group Sex Matters, said the story highlighted what she viewed as the extreme consequences of gender ideology. She expressed disbelief that a toddler could be suspended for what was labelled ‘transphobia’ or homophobia, and added that this was not an isolated incident. Joyce claimed that 13 children aged four and five had been suspended or excluded for similar reasons. She criticised the educators involved, accusing them of imposing adult ideologies onto very young children, and described the disruption to early education as inexcusable.
DfE statistics showed that the total number of state primary pupils suspended or excluded for homophobic or transphobic behaviour rose from 164 in 2021–22 to 178 in 2022–23.
Essex recorded the highest number of such disciplinary actions in that year with 16 cases, followed by Birmingham with 15, Bradford with 11, and Norfolk with eight.
These specific figures have only been collected since the 2020–21 academic year.
Lord Young, Director of the Free Speech Union, expressed strong scepticism about the practice of suspending children as young as five under transphobia policies. He argued that if an ideology results in toddlers being punished for failing to adhere to it, that might be a compelling reason to reconsider the ideology altogether.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education stated that all pupils and staff should feel safe and protected in school and should never be subjected to violence or abuse. The Education Secretary, the spokesperson added, had made it clear that school leaders are expected to enforce high standards of behaviour, and that the government remains committed to a wide-ranging programme of behavioural support for schools.
The DfE also reiterated its “Plan for Change”, which it said focuses on improving life chances for every child, regardless of background. The plan includes initiatives such as free breakfast clubs in every primary school, improved access to mental health support, and a renewed emphasis on attendance through targeted school improvement efforts.
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