A-level results day 2018: Exam board takes non-binary students' gender off results paper

An exam board has allowed non-binary students to take their gender off their A-level results papers.

Edexcel, which is owned by education company Pearson, said they are giving non-binary students the option of signalling that they do not wish to be classed as either male or female.

The company says it is part of a number of initiatives with Stonewall, an organisation that works with the LBGTQ+ community.

Tom Steiner from Pearson said: "We are continuing to look at how non-binary students can have the option of signalling that they do not wish to be classified as either male or female when they register for a qualification and receive results with Pearson Edexcel."

"For this summer, we have removed the gender flag altogether from the documents students receive from us and we are giving them the option of removing the male/female flag on our qualifications systems by requesting this through their school or college."

The move has been hailed as progress by Stonewall.

Sidonie Bertrand Shelton, Head of Education Programmes at the organisation said: "It's great to see organisations like Pearson taking steps to be more inclusive of all gender identities.

"By offering non-binary students a voluntary way to express their identity schools will get a better understanding of who makes up their student body. Having more inclusive data will help schools create more welcoming environments and ensure every student is accepted without exception."

The Joint Council for Qualifications told the Standard that when a candidate has no designated gender, their results are not entered for national reporting.

Every year on results day, grades and average percentage rates are shared with the media.

JCQ said that the small number of non-binary students not included in the figures will not affect percentage rates.

A spokesperson for JCQ said: "The number of candidates is small and does not have a material impact on the aggregated results. Awarding bodies continue to work towards supporting non-binary candidates.

“It should be noted that any candidate who has changed their name as a result of gender reassignment can obtain replacement GCE A level or GCSE certificates.