Single-sex schools in Berkshire will be able to reject transgender pupils and ignore preferred pronouns under new government guidelines.

The proposed guidelines will apply to independent and state schools and will give more backing for teachers.

The rules will allow teachers to refuse the use of preferred pronouns if different from those assigned by birth, even if requested by pupil or parent.

The plans are going to be issued 'within weeks' and were set out by education secretary Gillian Keegan and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch.

It comes after head teachers and school governors of various schools met with lawyers over discrimination concerns from parents of transgender pupils.

A Department for Education source told The Daily Mail: "Single-sex schools can refuse to admit pupils of the other legal sex regardless of whether the child is questioning their gender."

The new guidelines target children who change their gender identity, ensuring they cannot share changing or shower facilities at school with the opposite sex.

Gillian Keegan claimed that it is “absolutely fine” for teachers to say “good morning, girls” at a single-sex school. The education secretary added that schools need a “big dose of common sense” when dealing with issues of gender identity in the classroom.

The government says the purpose of the new guidance is to clarify schools' stances on gender dysphoria after concerns over legal action from parents whose children are thought to be discriminated against.

It comes after comments from the leader of a girls' school in London who told the Telegraph: "There's anxiety around litigious parents. Most schools say they will be supportive but there are grey areas the Department for Education needs to clarify."

Single-sex schools and MPs from across Berkshire have been contacted for a comment.