ALL CHILDREN should be free to wear tutus, tiaras and superhero cloaks without comment from teachers and classmates.

That is the new guidance from the Church of England for its 4,700 primary and secondary schools across the UK.

It is part of the Valuing All Gods' Children report, which is an update of previous advice from May 2014 about dealing with homophobia.

It states: "Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, alongside all forms of bullying, is a factor that can inhibit a pupil’s ability to feel safe as well as their foundation for learning.

"Church of England schools must therefore implement measures to combat it."

It goes on to say pupils, particularly those in nursery and primary school, should be free to play with the "cloaks of identity", adding: "Children should be at liberty to explore the possibilities of who they might be without judgment or derision.

"For example, a child may choose the tutu, princess’s tiara and heels and/or the fireman’s helmet, tool belt and superhero cloak without expectation or comment."

The Church of England educates about a million children across the country, and has 117 schools in Oxfordshire.

They include Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School and New Hinksey Church of England Primary School.

Sexuality remains a contentious issue within the Church of England and the report acknowledges a "wide spectrum" of opinion and that for many it is a "sensitive" subject.

However, the report added: "This does not negate the absolute necessity to combat bullying of any type, including HBT bullying and to create an inclusive school environment that enables all children and young people to flourish."

In a foreword to the updated advice, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote: "Every one of us is loved unconditionally by God.

"We must avoid, at all costs, diminishing the dignity of any individual to a stereotype or a problem.

"Church of England schools offer a community where everyone is a person known and loved by God,supported to know their intrinsic value."

He added: "This guidance helps schools to offer the Christian message of love, joy and the celebration of our humanity without exception or exclusion."