TEACHERS resolved to “adopt a pro-choice position” yesterday amid fears that youngsters were not able to discuss abortions at home.

The National Education Union's ATL section conference endorsed a resolution which said that women and girls "still face unacceptable delays, threats of violence and intimidation, inaccurate and misleading information and unequal access to abortion services."

Derby and Derbyshire delegate Jennifer Marchant said: "This is about pro-choice, not about pro-life, not about pro-abortion. This is about giving students information so they can make their decisions.

"Many students come from backgrounds where either it is not discussed at home or discussed incorrectly when many students are at home whether through a lack of parental knowledge or whether through a cultural bias."

Helen Porter from Berkshire said the motion was "not asking anyone to promote abortion in their schools or colleges."

But Devon delegate Trevor Cope said: "I need to stay neutral. I need to teach the facts. I do not need a policy dictating what my opinions are."

North Yorkshire and York delegate Vincent Conyngham said: "Let's be clear here, this motion is an alignment with a particular liberal ideology that states that abortion should be available on demand, no questions asked.”