Children in UK schools identify themselves as various animals and objects, including dinosaurs, horses, moons, and cats, the Telegraph reveals.
The report follows a previous incident where a pupil who refused to accept a classmate identifying as a cat was reprimanded by a teacher at a Church of England School.
Although claims of children identifying as cats in UK schools have been previously denied, The Telegraph’s investigation suggests that there are genuine examples of children insisting on being addressed as animals.
The report states that a pupil at a secondary school in the South West insists on being addressed as a dinosaur, while another pupil at a different school in England identifies as a horse.
Additionally, it mentions a child who wears a cape and identifies as a moon.
The Telegraph also spoke to a student in Wales who shared that a classmate has identified as a cat for three school years, even responding to questions with meows instead of English answers.
The pupil mentioned that teachers are not allowed to express annoyance over such identifications, as it is considered discriminatory.
The individual feels strongly discriminated against if not referred to as ‘catself’. Safer Schools, an ecosystem created in partnership between Zurich Municipal and the INEQE Safeguarding Group, defines ‘furries’ as individuals with a keen interest in animal characters possessing human traits.
These characters, known as ‘fursonas’, are often created by community members who engage in roleplaying and artistic expression.
Safer Schools cautions against overreacting or ridiculing ‘furries’, urging parents and teachers to handle the situation with care.
However, they also highlight the potential risks of a vulnerable young person becoming excessively absorbed in an alternative reality, potentially leading to disengagement from everyday life or involvement in risky behaviours.