The advice came this week from the Government’s former mental health tsar Natasha Devon. (Picture: Ken McKay /ITV/ REX/ Shutterstock)

Headteachers are being warned that ‘constantly reminding females of their gender’ by referring to them as ‘girls’ or ‘ladies’ in school, could cause anxiety.

The advice came this week from the Government’s former mental health tsar Natasha Devon.

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She added that staff should be conscious to only use gender-neutral language when speaking to pupils.

Ms Devon said that she believes it is ‘patronising’ to walk into an all girls’ school and say ‘girls or ladies’.


Speaking at the Girls’ School Association annual conference, she added that the same rules should apply when addressing male pupils.

Speaking at the Girls’ School Association annual conference, she added that the same rules should apply when addressing male pupils. (Picture: HeadSydHigh/ Twitter)

Ms Devon said that she believes it is ‘patronising’ to walk into an all girls’ school and say ‘girls or ladies’. (Picture: SolStock/ Getty)

She said: ‘I don’t think it’s useful to be constantly reminded of your gender all the time and all the stereotypes that go with it.’



Instead, according to The Telegraph, she recommends using terms such as ‘pupils’, ‘students’ or ‘people’, when speaking to students.

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Ms Devon said her thoughts source from her beliefs that the term ‘girls’ makes some children feel they have to do everything perfectly.

This, therefore, creates ‘a lot of anxiety’.

The term ‘boys’ evokes a sense of ‘being macho and not showing your feelings’, she added.

Another reason not to use gendered terms is that ‘there may be transgender pupils’ in the room.

Ms Devon said: ‘If your narrative is saying girls don’t get angry, or boys don’t cry, or girls aren’t allowed to do this, or boys aren’t allowed to do this, then that is potentially going to have an impact on your well-being.

‘So I hope that in taking away the negative stereotypes associated with gender, we can ultimately improve their mental health.’