Teacher sacked in gender pronoun case

A maths teacher in Swindon is taking legal action after he was allegedly sacked for refusing to use a pupil's preferred pronouns. This being despite permission to do so had not been sought from the parents.

Mr Kevin Lister, 59, was dismissed from the school for "gross misconduct" after he refused to affirm a 17-year-old's gender change. It has been suggested that Mr Lister rejected a request to call the pupil by their he/him pronouns during A-level maths classes.

That subsequently triggered a letter from the vice-principal of the school saying: "We acknowledge that you are entitled to your beliefs; however, it is my view that your treatment of [the student] violated his dignity."

It was also suggested that Mr Lister found out allegations of transphobia had been made against him earlier this year. Three complaints were upheld in a disciplinary hearing last month in which it was suggested that he had "subjected a gender-transitioning student" to "transphobic discrimination" and "harassment". It was also suggested that he had "refused to use" their preferred name and he/him pronouns.

The school has a guide aimed at supporting transitioning students. Within it it reportedly says staff should "maintain confidentiality and only tell others about the person's trans status with their permission."

Mr Lister has suggested he was looking out for the student's welfare and claimed that he was concerned it could amount to social transition and lead the teenager towards irreversible medical treatment.

He commented, "I wanted at least to make sure that my student had parental support and was making an informed decision. As a parent myself, I would have been furious if my child had taken this step and I hadn't been told anything."

Mr Lister also said he pointed to the student "as politely as I could" so that he would neither be deadnaming them, nor "supporting transition without parental consent."

In terms of support it seems that Mr Lister has Danny Kruger, the MP for Devizes, on his side. The MP said: "I am very concerned that a school agreed to affirm a child's transgender identity without parental consent."

The former attorney general claimed that the law meant schools have no legal obligation to refer to children by their preferred pronouns.

Broadgate Legal

London Solicitors

Tel; 0203 206 1133