New education standards which may politicise the curriculum pave the way for schools being sued over what they teach, according to a senior QC. In a legal opinion for The Christian Institute, John Bowers QC said the regulations break the ‘seal’ that prevents schools facing legal action over what is taught. The standards, which came into force last month, require academies, free schools and independent schools in England to ‘actively promote’ the rights defined in the Equality Act 2010, including sexual orientation and transsexual rights. Bowers said the regulations provide ‘mechanisms in the law for disgruntled pupils, parents and campaigners’ to sue individual schools. He warned that teachers may face legal action if their attempts to simplify complex religious or philosophical topics are ‘deemed to undermine respect for some people’s beliefs. The standards could result in religious and political discussion being curtailed,' Bowers said