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Christian school assistant sacked over LGBT lessons Facebook post takes dismissal to court

Kristie Higgs, 44, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire last year. (PA)
Kristie Higgs, 44, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, last year. (PA)

A Christian school assistant who was sacked for posting on Facebook about plans to teach LGBT relationships in primary schools is taking her case to an employment tribunal.

Kristie Higgs, 44, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor’s School, a mixed-sex academy in Fairford, Gloucestershire, last year.

The mother-of-two had shared and commented on Facebook posts that objected to relationships education at her son’s Church of England primary school.

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Mrs Higgs, who was posting on her private Facebook page under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018.

In one Facebook post, Mrs Higgs urged people to sign an online petition against making relationships education mandatory.

In another she shared an article about the rise of transgender ideology in children’s books in American schools.

The mother-of-two shared and commented on Facebook posts which raised concerns about relationship education at her son’s Church of England primary school. (Facebook)
The mother-of-two shared and commented on Facebook posts that raised concerns about relationships education at her son’s Church of England primary school. (Facebook)

The Christian Legal Centre is supporting Mrs Higgs’s case at the employment tribunal, which is starting in Bristol on Monday.

Lawyers representing Mrs Higgs will argue that her sacking breached her freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Ahead of the hearing, Mrs Higgs said: “Nothing could have prepared me for what happened. I was told that the reasons behind my sacking were nothing to do with my Christian beliefs – it had everything to do with my Christian beliefs.

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“The whole experience broke my heart. I have been punished for sharing concerns about relationships and sex education.

“My number one concern has always been the effect that learning about sex and gender in school will have on children at such a young age. I have not discriminated against anyone.

Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire. (Google Maps)
Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire. (Google Maps)

“Through my case I want there to be renewed freedom for others, especially Christians, to express their beliefs and opinions without fear of losing their jobs.”

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A report from the time of her post in The Mail On Sunday claimed that an anonymous complaint that accused her of offending gay and transgender pupils led to her suspension and dismissal.

During a six-hour disciplinary hearing, the school governor likened her post to those of someone who was “pro-Nazi”, the report claimed.