Trans teachers can ask to be called Mx, says Phillipson

Transgender teachers have the right to ask pupils to call them Mx instead of Miss or Sir, the education secretary has said.

Bridget Phillipson told LBC that the guidance on trans relationships and schools was still being worked on, but noted it would include all “practical guidance” for classrooms that is necessary.

Phillipson could not tell LBC when the “long-awaited” transgender guidance would arrive for schools however.

On whether teachers can ask to be referred to as Mx, a term which some trans people use instead of Mr, Miss or Mrs, Phillipson told LBC: “I think teachers can make that request. But of course, what we’ll be looking at is making sure that people are able to exercise their views on this topic too.

“This has been the subject of various legal cases as well about people’s rights in terms of how they approach questions of gender identity. We’ll consider all areas of the practical guidance that schools need and respond to the challenges that they tell us they’ve faced.”

A Department for Education spokesperson told LBC: “While teachers can make such requests, the Education Secretary was clear it’s not something that they can insist on. Teachers and pupils should be treated with respect”.

The Supreme Court ruling on trans spaces earlier this year reportedly held up the guidance, and the EHRC is expected to ban transgender women from single sex public spaces to comply with the ruling from the top court, which concluded that trans women do not have the same rights under the Equality Act.

The guidance is expected to apply to schools, shops, hospitals, prisons and government departments.