There has recently been an update to legal guidance about the use of single-sex toilets and changing rooms.
We know this may feel like a sensitive or worrying topic for some students, so we want to explain clearly what it means for you and where you can go for support.
What do I need to know?
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its guidance following a Supreme Court judgment in 2025.
The guidance says that single-sex toilets and changing rooms should be used according to a person’s sex registered at birth.
At the same time, everyone’s dignity, privacy and wellbeing must be respected, including those of trans+ students and staff.
At college:
- You should use the single-sex toilets and changing rooms that correspond to your sex registered at birth, or you can use a gender-neutral facility.
- Gender-neutral facilities are available across our campuses alongside single-sex facilities.
- If you are under 18, you will not be placed in shared overnight accommodation with students of a different sex.
- Everyone must have access to appropriate facilities.
If you are not sure where the right facilities are on your campus, please ask a member of staff. They will be happy to help you.
Please be respectful of others
We understand that people may have different feelings or questions about these changes. Whatever your views, we expect everyone in our college community to treat each other with kindness, dignity and respect.
Please do not:
- question another student or member of staff about their sex or gender identity
- ask someone to prove their sex or gender
- challenge or confront someone about which toilet or changing room they are using.
You cannot always tell someone’s sex from their appearance, and assumptions can be wrong. Challenging someone could be upsetting and may be considered bullying, harassment or discrimination.
If there is an issue with someone’s use of a facility, please speak to a member of staff rather than approaching the person yourself.
Where necessary, a member of staff may speak privately with someone who is using a single-sex facility that does not correspond to their sex registered at birth. This will be handled sensitively and with respect for their privacy, safety and dignity.
If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe
If you experience or witness bullying, harassment or discrimination, or something makes you feel unsafe, please tell a member of staff or contact your college’s Safeguarding team.
We will take your concerns seriously and support you.
Our commitment to you
We know that changes to guidance like this can cause uncertainty or worry, particularly for students who may be personally affected.
Our commitment to inclusion, equality and respect has not changed.
We want everyone at Activate Learning to feel welcome, safe and supported, and nobody should experience bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation.
We will continue to review our approach as the law and national guidance develop.
Need someone to talk to?
If this guidance affects you, you have questions, or you are worried about anything, you do not have to deal with it on your own.
You can speak to your college’s Student Support or Safeguarding team.
You can also contact:
Switchboard
LGBTQIA+ support helpline, open 10am to 10pm
0800 011 9100 | hello@switchboard.lgbt
Gendered Intelligence
Gender-inclusive support
0800 640 8046 | WhatsApp: 07592 650496 | supportline@genderedintelligence.co.uk
Kind regards,
Activate Learning