MALDON Primary School has been praised for its stance towards transgender pupils.

Around 80 primary schools have changed uniform rules as they look to be more sensitive to transgender pupils.

The policy changes have seen the references to boys and girls removed or say pupils can dress how they feel most comfortable.

Maldon Primary School is understood to have previously considered adopting a gender neutral uniform policy. 

The school was praised last year by charity Educate and Celebrate for the support teachers offered to a former transgender pupil.

Transgender activist RiRi Fox, who grew up in Southminster, welcomed the move by the school.

She said: “It is a good step forward and I think it will also help other children. Many identify as transgender around six or seven years old which is primary school years. I think it will also help the parents understand.

“I noticed at age six that girls at my primary school wore blue and white patched dresses and boys had to wear shorts.

“That is incredibly depressive as a six year old to think I didn’t want to dress that way but I had to.”

Town councillors have given their support.

Mark Heard said: “If the school thinks the policy is appropriate and the parents are happy to send their kids into school in different uniform, I would support it.”

Richard Miller, town mayor, added: “I would have full confidence that decisions around school uniform would be done with the best interests of children and the school as a whole in mind.”

Readers took to Facebook to share their views.

Hollie Barry, from Maldon, said: “My two sons wanted to go into school wearing a ‘man bun’ and were afraid they would not be allowed as they thought they’d be told it’s a girls hair style but I told them they ARE allowed because if they are not it would be sexist. I think children have enough piled on them these days without worrying about how people will perceive them and they should express themselves however they feel comfortable doing so.”

Julie Papworth said: “I am not against any form of self-expression but I don’t think a school – especially a primary school, is the right place. What if a child loves to walk around naked – sometimes common sense needs to be applied.”

Stephanie Hales added: “Maldon primary is an all-inclusive school which, as a parent with children at this school, I am extremely proud of !”

The school did not respond to requests for comment.