A primary school in southern England has appointed a teacher who identifies as non-binary and wishes pupils to use the title "Mx" rather than traditional honorifics.
The appointment in the southern England school came to light when the school's end-of-June newsletter listed new staff members joining in September, including someone with a masculine name preceded by "Mx".
Following parental enquiries, the school confirmed the new teacher, who will work with children under eight, identifies as having neither male nor female identity.
School staff have already begun using "they" pronouns for the teacher, whilst some pupils who met them noted they wore nail polish and had a voice that "sounded a bit like a girl".
Several parents have expressed alarm about the appointment, with some withdrawing their children from the school.
One mother said told the Telegraph: "At first I thought the 'Mx' was a spelling mistake."
She added: "I don't want him being told that the man in front of him isn't a 'he' or a 'him'. That's very mixed up."
Another parent said: "I'm sure this teacher is a nice guy, but if you don't know what gender you are, what else are you going to be teaching our children?"
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|A primary school has appointed a teacher who identifies as non-binary and wishes pupils to use the title 'Mx' rather than traditional honorifics
Legal and safeguarding specialists have raised concerns about the appointment, noting that non-binary status lacks legal recognition in the UK.
Tracy Shaw from the Safe Schools Alliance said: "Non-binary is not a status with any definition or meaning in law, as confirmed by the Supreme Court, and anyone claiming to have both (or neither) male and female identities should not be working in any capacity with children."
"Safeguarding must always come first. Keeping children safe in education [KCSIE] statutory guidance used to be the bedrock of safeguarding in school but more and more we see diversity and inclusion being prioritised.
“KCSIE says that staff and leaders must always act in the best interests of the child, even when it is uncomfortable to do so, and adult needs, whether personal, professional or reputational, should never take precedence over a child’s right to be safe."
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Rosie Duffield, MP, said: "Professional adults should never require young children in their care to confirm or validate aspects of their private life or personal identity in a work setting.
"This person is, of course, entitled to live as they choose, but it has nothing to do with their professional paid job and raises complex, age-inappropriate issues which appear not to have been considered with much depth."
The UK does not permit X markers on passports instead of M or F designations.
The school offered individual meetings with concerned parents rather than group discussions.
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|Multiple teachers and teaching assistants across UK schools reportedly use Mx titles, primarily in secondary education
A spokesperson said: "We have offered or scheduled individual meetings with the small number of parents who have contacted us about the matter. These meetings are the right forum for discussing any concerns."
Parents report the school insists on meeting them individually alongside council representatives, which some view as intimidating.
Multiple teachers and teaching assistants across UK schools reportedly use Mx titles, primarily in secondary education.
Legal experts suggest employers face complex challenges when staff claim non-binary identities, particularly regarding potential conflicts between employee rights and those of pupils and parents.