Tory civil war looming over gender rules for schools

MINISTERS are expected to clash with the Tory Right this week when long-awaited gender guidance for schools is published.

A total ban on pupils changing their names, pronouns and uniforms will be ruled out, angering some MPs and campaigners.

Instead the guidance will tell teachers that pupils can ‘socially transition’ in schools but only in very limited circumstances and if their parents consent.

It will also insist that boys and girls should not share toilets or changing rooms but may allow them to compete against each other in non-contact sports like athletics.

The guidance is expected to include a freedom of conscience clause, meaning that teachers and pupils will not be compelled to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

An official source said: ‘This guidance will respond to the surge in children asking to social transition, and schools accommodating them because they think they have to.

‘The guidance is practical and clear because this is a total minefield for teachers.’ On Wednesday Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will face some of the proposal’s most prominent critics in Parliament.

She is due to appear before the Education Committee which has two members demanding a ban on social transitioning in schools.

One is Tory MP Miriam Cates, a former biology teacher, who wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Does it make clear that the only safe way is to treat all children according to their biological sex at all times and in all areas?

‘Schools, and children, need clear unambiguous rules based on facts.’

She was backed by former home secretary Suella Braverman, who sparked the debate last year by claiming that schools did not have to accommodate children who want to change gender.

Helen Joyce, of feminist campaign group Sex Matters, said the guidance – due before schools break up for Christmas – must be clear so teachers are not left to face legal challenges.

This week ex-prime minister Liz Truss will issue a draft law proposing a ban on the under-18s changing gender. It would stop them accessing hormone therapy and official recognition of new identities.

‘A total minefield for teachers’