Dudley Council takes stand against unisex toilets in schools

The council pledged that it will not create any unisex toilets in its schools and will actively "discourage schools" carrying out their own work from installing unisex bathrooms.

The move comes after a new open-plan unisex toilet block at Bromley Hill Primary in Kingswinford, which was installed by the council, caused concerns amongst parents and pupils, becoming a hot topic on social media. 

It will now be remodelled to feature separate boys' and girls' rooms.

Dudley Council said it was setting out a clear policy after listening to parents and pupils on "what is important to them in creating happy and thriving schools."

Deputy leader cllr Paul Bradley said the unisex toilets at Bromley Hill Primary will be remodelled (Image: Dudley Council)

Cllr Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “We have revisited Bromley Hill Primary and agreed some remodelling of the toilets including creating separate boys’ and girls’ rooms. 

"This work will be carried out over the next few weeks and will ensure there is appropriate privacy for all children."

Cllr Ruth Buttery laid out the council's new stance against unisex toilets (Image: Dudley Council)

Cllr Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We have also taken a decision to not create any unisex toilets when contracted to carry out work in schools and, at the same time, discourage schools from having unisex bathrooms in general when using external contractors.

"This is what parents and children have told us is important to them in creating happy and thriving schools and we have acted swiftly to meet their requests and create a clear policy.”

Talk TV breakfast show host Julia Hartley-Brewer waded in on the issue of Bromley Hill Primary's new 5/6 toilets being unisex asking: "Who would want this? Not little girls. Not little boys. Not parents. So who?????"

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said schools have a duty of care to offer 'single-sex toilets' to students.