Teacher sacked 'after refusing to call schoolgirl by a boy's name'

Teacher who was sacked ‘after refusing to call schoolgirl, eight, by a boy’s name or use male pronouns’ launches judicial review over claims ‘transgender affirming’ policy is harming children

• Primary school teacher refused to use male pronouns for an eight-year-old pupil
• Teacher was sacked from job and has now launched legal action against school
• It is thought to be first time a judicial review in a case like this has been brought

A primary school teacher who lost her job after she refused to address an eight-year-old pupil with male pronouns has launched legal action against the school’s governors and the local council. 

The anonymous teacher is bringing a judicial review after she was sacked by the school earlier this year, with the case to be heard in the High Court in Birmingham next week.

It is thought to be the first time a teacher has taken action of this kind, The Sunday Times reports.

The year 4 teacher was suspended last autumn after she refused to use male pronouns and a male name for a pupil, arguing that it could cause harm to the child.

A year 4 teacher was suspended last autumn after she refused to use male pronouns and a male name for a pupil, arguing that it could cause harm to the child (stock photo)

She continued to challenge the school’s ‘transgender affirming’ policies, which included allowing the child to wear boys’ uniform and use the boys’ toilets, before she was sacked earlier this year. 

The school’s head teacher had told her in September last year that a pupil in her next class would be referred to by a boy’s name after the head had agreed to the child’s parents’ request to do so. 

In an email to the head, the teacher wrote that she did not agree with calling the child ‘by the requested name and pronouns [because] I think it is harmful’.

She said her email ‘flustered’ the head and that they responded: ‘You have no choice, the family has requested it. You are in loco parentis.’

She could now be banned from teaching for life after the school reported her to the Teaching Regulation Agency.

The anonymous teacher is bringing a judicial review after she was sacked by the school earlier this year, with the case to be heard in the High Court in Birmingham next week

The teacher’s case is being backed by the Christian Legal Centre, the legal branch of evangelical campaign group Christian Concern.

It says it it works with clients ‘taking a stand for Jesus’ and handles cases for Christians ‘who have found themselves in court on account of their faith’. 

The group lobbies against LGBT rights, such as the government’s planned conversion therapy ban, and has previously held events such about ‘protecting children against the transgender agenda’.

The school’s head teacher had told the teacher in September last year that a pupil in her next class would be known by a boy’s name after the head had agreed to the child’s parents’ request to do so

The school’s policy was backed by advice from the local council, the charity Stonewall and the Church of England diocese.

Along with other members of staff, the teacher had attended ‘trans-awareness’ training, which included materials provided by the local council, including some from LGBT charity Stonewall.

The resources told staff that eight in 10 transgender children realise they are transgender before they leave primary school.

The local council told The Sunday Times: ‘We will not comment on a case that is subject to ongoing proceedings. Our priority is the welfare of every child educated in our school.’

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