Shock poll reveals just a third of schools would inform parents if their child was questioning gender

RISHI Sunak has promised new rules for teachers after a shocking poll found fewer than a third of schools would inform parents if their child was questioning their gender.

Four in ten also operate gender self-identity policies.

A damning report out today warns transgender safeguarding principles are being “routinely disregarded” in many secondary schools.

The Policy Exchange think-tank says schools should tell the parents if a pupil questions their gender unless there is a compelling reason not to.

Its report adds: “While many schools believe that they are acting in a child’s best interests, there is no circumstance in which safeguarding should be compromised.”

In response the PM said on Thursday that updated guidance would be published by the summer term for how schools should handled "sensitive" trans issues.

Mr Sunak told reporters: "I'm very concerned about these reports.

"For me, the safety and wellbeing of our children is of paramount importance. And I've also been clear that parents must be able to know what is being taught to their kids in school, especially on these sensitive areas.

"That's why we're already reviewing the RSE (relationships and sex education) guidance to make sure that it is age appropriate for children."

"But also what I'm also going to say today is that for the summer term we will make sure that we publish guidance for schools so that they know how to respond when children are asking about their gender."

The PM added: "These are really sensitive areas, it's important that we treat them sensitively, and that parents know what's going on, and we'll make sure that that happens."

Freedom of Information requests were submitted to 304 secondary schools in England, of which 154 responded.

Just 28 per cent said they would tell parents if a child questions their gender.

The same number do not maintain single-sex loos and 19 per cent do not have single-sex changing rooms.

The report concludes: “Our research reveals a safeguarding blind spot when it comes to the issue of sex and gender.”

In her foreword, the Labour MP Rosie Duffield said: “Safeguarding of children is fundamental to a civilised society.

“Policy Exchange demonstrates there to be a systemic failure in the school system, caused by an ill-considered embrace of gender ideology.”

Tory Robin Walker, chairman of the Commons Education Committee, said: “Safeguarding should always be a prime concern for schools.”