Schoolboy ‘allowed to identify as a wolf’

A schoolboy has been allowed to identify as a wolf, according to reports.

The pupil claims to suffer from “species dysphoria”, a non-clinical condition in which an individual feels their body belongs to a different species.

Teachers at the secondary school in Britain are understood to be supporting the child’s decision, the Daily Mail reports.

A growing number of schoolchildren have asked to be officially recognised as animals including cats, foxes, birds and dinosaurs.

Tommy MacKay, a clinical neuropsychologist, told the Daily Mail: “There is no such condition in science as ‘species dysphoria’.

“It’s not surprising that we are seeing this in an age when many people want to identify as something other than they are.

“Now we have a council which appears to accept at face value that a child identifies as a wolf, rather than being told to snap out of it and get to grips with themselves, which would be the common-sense approach.”

‘Animal persona’

Official documents seen by the newspaper are said to recognise that the student now identifies as an animal.

The local authority, which has not been disclosed, said the pupil belonged to a group who called themselves “furries” and identified with an “animal persona”.

The council said a well-being worker offered “personal” and “specific” support for such cases including counselling and help with learning, adding: “There is very little specific guidance on species dysphoria.”

The move is in line with Scottish government guidance called Getting It Right For Every Child (Girfec), according to the council.

A “well-being wheel” is being used to support pupils. The wheel is a diagram used in Girfec guidance that emphasises the importance of helping children “overcome inequalities”.

In November last year, a school in Wales was forced to deny that it provided litter trays for children who identify as cats. Parents of around 1,000 pupils at West Monmouth School in Pontypool, South Wales, were told that the school did not provide extra facilities for pupils who might identify as “an animal of any kind”.

‘This kind of behaviour is not acceptable’

In a letter, Claire Hughes, the deputy head teacher, said: “It has come to our attention that there appears to be a number of queries and concerns raised within the community regarding the use of litter trays at West Monmouth School.

“I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we do not and will not be planning on providing any litter trays at the school.

“Whilst we are an inclusive and welcoming school, we do not make any provision for any pupils who might identify as an animal of any kind.

“This kind of behaviour is not acceptable at school and as such, no provision is in place at school, such as litter trays.”

In 2023, a school in East Sussex reprimanded students for refusing to accept a classmate’s decision to self-identify as a cat. A teacher at Rye College was recorded telling pupils they were “despicable” for expressing their belief that there are only two genders after another pupil was believed to self-identify as a cat.

The Telegraph discovered that a pupil at a secondary school in the South West was insisting on being addressed as a dinosaur.

At another secondary school in England, a pupil insisted on identifying as a horse, while another wore a cape and wanted to be acknowledged as a moon.