Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Parents threaten legal action over mixed-sex school toilets
Parents have threatened legal action unless schools provide separate toilets for girls and boys.
They have written to Education Secretary Lucy Powell, saying some girls feel unsafe or avoid using mixed-sex facilities.
Thousands of single-sex toilet blocks have been replaced with mixed-sex facilities, according to the story, as schools accommodate pupils who identify as non-binary or trans.
A teacher survey cited in the story suggests at least a quarter of Britain’s 32,000 schools have at least one set of mixed toilets.
Parents say the facilities can harm girls’ privacy and safety, and a legal opinion they commissioned says schools could face legal action if they fail to protect pupils.
The Department for Education says its guidance requires schools to provide separate toilets and not let children use facilities designed for the opposite biological sex.
The parents say they are prepared to go to court if their demands are not met.
Parents have warned Education Secretary Lucy Powell that they may take legal action unless schools restore separate toilets for girls and boys.
The families say mixed-sex toilets undermine pupils’ privacy, dignity and safety.
A father said his 14-year-old daughter had begun skipping school to avoid the toilets.
A teacher survey cited by the Daily Mail suggests at least a quarter of Britain’s 32,000 schools have at least one set of mixed toilets.
The Department for Education said schools must provide separate toilets and must not let children use facilities designed for the opposite biological sex.
- Who
- Parents of school pupils, including families who signed a letter to Education Secretary Lucy Powell.
- What
- They have warned ministers they may take legal action unless schools restore separate toilets for girls and boys.
- When
- The Daily Mail article was published on 14 November 2026.
- Where
- Britain.
- Why
- Parents say mixed-sex toilets compromise pupils’ privacy, dignity and safety. Schools have adopted them in part to accommodate pupils who identify as non-binary or trans.
Parents opposing mixed-sex toilets
Department for Education
School toilet policy
Parents opposing mixed-sex toilets
Parents say mixed-sex toilets harm girls’ privacy, dignity and safety and want separate facilities restored.
Department for Education
The department says its guidance requires separate toilets and bars children from using facilities designed for the opposite biological sex.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Letter recipient
- Education Secretary Lucy Powell
- School total
- 32,000 schools in Britain
- Schools with mixed toilets
- At least a quarter, according to a teacher survey cited by the Daily Mail
- Affected pupil
- A 14-year-old girl reportedly began skipping school
- Publication date
- 14 November 2026
What people are saying
Our guidance is clear that schools must provide separate toilets and must not allow children to use facilities designed for the opposite biological sex.
Her periods were very erratic and heavy. If she went to the toilet and tried to clean herself up, she had lads banging on the door saying: 'I know what you're doing,'
One girl felt faint during training. I spoke to her mum who said the girl never drank enough water because she hated going to the toilet at school.