School assistant sacked after criticizing plan to teach pupils about LGBT+ relationships will challenge his dismissal in court today

A school assistant will today challenge her dismissal in court after criticizing plans to teach pupils about LGBT+ relationships.

Kristie Higgs, 47, was dismissed for gross misconduct from Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts condemning the proposals.

The Court of Appeal in London is due to begin considering her legal challenge this morning, with Ms Higgs claiming she was dismissed because of her Christian beliefs.

Ms Higgs, from Fairford, shared and commented on posts raising concerns about relationships education at her son’s Church of England primary school.

Pupils were to learn about the No Outsiders In Our School programme, a series of books teaching the Equality Act in primary schools.

Kristie Higgs, 47, who was dismissed for serious misconduct by Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2019, stands outside the Court of Appeal in London with her supporters today.

She says she was unfairly fired after sharing Facebook posts criticizing measures to teach students about LGBT+ relationships

Mrs Higgs, from Fairford, shared and commented on posts raising concerns about relationships education at her son’s Church of England primary school (pictured)

Ms Higgs, who posted on Facebook under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018 with around 100 friends, one of which referred to the “brainwashing of our children”.

An anonymous complaint was made to the school and Ms Higgs was suspended and, after a disciplinary hearing, dismissed for serious misconduct.

Ms Higgs, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, took the school to an employment tribunal, arguing she had been unlawfully discriminated against because of her Christian beliefs.

The school denied firing the mother of two because of her religious beliefs and said she was fired because of the language used in the posts.

In its 2020 decision, the court found that her religion was a “protected characteristic” as defined by the Equality Act, but the school legally dismissed her.

Ms Higgs appealed this judgment to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London, which found in her favor but referred the case to an employment tribunal for a new decision.

His lawyers are now challenging the decision to order a new court hearing.

Before the appeal, Ms Higgs said: “I wouldn’t want any parent to go through what I have gone through over the last five years. No one should be fired for raising the concerns I did in the way I did.

Ms Higgs, who posted on Facebook under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018 with around 100 friends, one of which referred to the “brainwashing of our children”.

His supporters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice this morning.

Ms Higgs’ lawyers are now challenging the decision to order a new court hearing.

“My messages were a warning and much of what has happened in the debate over the last five years has proven me right.

“I now pray that the Court of Appeals will do the right thing and issue a decision that protects the freedom of Christian employees and parents to express their beliefs without fear of being silenced.”

The appeal before Lord Justice Underhill, Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Falk is due to begin at 10.30am at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, with the hearing expected to conclude tomorrow.