Sacked teacher disputes use of preferred pronouns

A sacked primary school teacher is taking legal action for alleged unfair dismissal, claiming that she was dismissed after refusing to use an eight-year-old’s preferred pronouns.

The teacher claimed that, two years ago, the school where she worked decided to facilitate the social transition of a girl who wanted to be treated as a boy. The school, run by Nottinghamshire county council, said that the girl should use the boy’s lavatories and dressing rooms. They also instructed staff to always refer to the girl with male pronouns and a male name.

The teacher, who is a Christian, said that she raised concerns about the pupil’s welfare and that she then followed the school’s whistle blowing procedure to raise safeguarding concerns about the girl’s social transition. By return the school responded in a letter to the teacher informing her that the Child would be moved to a different class, “to safeguard him from any potential harm.”

The teacher is claiming unfair dismissal and religious discrimination after she was told that her “personal beliefs,” if acted on, “could be a direct breach of GDPR and an act of direct discrimination.” The employment tribunal is expected to hear the claim in August 2023.

The Christian Legal Centre is backing the teacher’s case. Chief executive Andrea Williams said, "This story exposes the confusion and untruths being embedded in primary schools which are developing into a public health crisis.” 

Nottinghamshire county council did not respond to a request for comment, by a leading broadsheet newspaper.