Yet again, a useful guide has turned into "CALL EVERYONE ZIE ON PAIN OF DEATH"
by the newspapers.
Let's look at a quote, shall we?
"For the avoidance of doubt, we believe that using certain terminology – such as ‘pupils’ or ‘students’ rather than ‘girls’ – is appropriate in certain circumstances, and particularly when transgender pupils are present. It is up to individual schools to interpret and apply this advice when appropriate." (GSA statement)
Basically - where appropriate, it's useful to use a more neutral term that includes everyone. Like if there's an openly trans person in the classroom at the time. But again, it's advice, not a rule.
I went to a boys' school, and I literally never noticed if someone said "pupils" rather than "boys" when referring to the student body.
(
admiral crunch holds the newsreader's nose squarely, Sun 17 Jul 2016, 14:14,
Reply)
Things wre simplier in the UK when I was a kid.
When addressing us as a group, Mr Green, the school caretaker would vociferate:
"Youlittlefaaksgetafthelawnorawlkilleverylastofya"
Must have been Welsh.
(, Sun 17 Jul 2016, 21:47, Reply)