Dear Education Portfolio Holder,

Conservatives for Women is a grassroots campaigning organisation with over 1000 members, a third of whom are party members. We campaign within the public sphere, and in the heart of Westminster, to raise awareness of issues which threaten the safety and dignity of women. We are writing to you now in your role as the Education Portfolio holder for your Local Authority.

We at Conservatives for Women are hearing a lot of reports of girls around the country not using lavatories at their secondary-schools, as these have become mixed-sex or the school is allowing boys who self-identify as girls to use the girls' single-sex facilities. This is leading to an alarming increase in urinary tract infections among adolescent girls who are not drinking during the day because they are afraid to use lavatories where boys may be lurking ready to photograph or abuse them. This is a particular concern for girls who have just started menstruating as failure to change sanitary products regularly can increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Schools are increasing introducing mixed-sex facilities because they mistakenly believe that the Equality Act 2010 requires them to do so to protect any 'trans' pupils. However, in this case, schools are in fact in breach of the Equality Act because they are discriminating against girls. In effect, they are prioritising one protected characteristic over another. For further clarification, please see this useful factsheet from Safe Schools Alliance. 

Could you please look into whether any schools that you oversee in your role as the Education Portfolio Holder in your Local Authority have introduced mixed-sex toilets (including allowing students to 'self-identify' into whatever toilet they like), and if so take action to reintroduce single sex facilities. We would also be grateful if you could keep us updated on your findings and actions, and we would be pleased to support you in any subsequent discussions with schools or other stakeholders. Please do not hesitate to contact us on info@conservativesforwomen.org.

Kind regards