Were they right to do this to her?
A teacher at a Church of England school faced a judgment of “unacceptable professional conduct” due to expressing personal views on human sexuality. Glawdys Leger, 43, encountered this ruling from the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which stopped short of a permanent teaching ban but flagged the incident on her professional record for future employer reference.
The Secretary of State for Education opted against imposing a prohibition order based on the panel’s recommendation. Despite this decision, the ruling’s impact remains by virtue of its notation on Ms. Leger’s teaching history.
Ms. Leger, a Modern Foreign Languages teacher of 12 years, was dismissed from the Bishop Justus Church of England School in Bromley, Kent, after objecting to the content integrated into Religious Education lessons for Year 7 students.
Reacting to the verdict, she expressed relief at avoiding a teaching ban but conveyed deep concern at being found culpable for discussing Christian teachings within a Christian school’s RE class. She highlighted the challenge and toll the TRA inquiry had taken on her.
Ms. Leger defended her actions, emphasizing her objection to what she deemed an exclusive presentation of LGBTQI+ narratives in the school without room for debate. She underscored the need for transparency in Christian or religious schools regarding their teachings and beliefs, especially when deviating from traditional Christian principles or parental expectations.
The sentiment extended to the broader issue of Christian educators being compelled to either silence their beliefs or actively endorse LGBTQI+ ideologies, risking severe repercussions or career jeopardy otherwise.
Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, condemned the regulatory environment, asserting that it stifles the expression of Christian faith in schools and stifles any dissenting viewpoint against LGBTQI+ ideology. Williams defended Leger’s commitment to imparting Christian ethics and values, emphasizing her intent to nurture tolerance and hope rooted in the Christian faith.
The center expressed readiness to support Leger further and contest any adverse findings by the TRA. The overarching concern remains the limitation of expressing Christian beliefs in an educational setting and the possible repercussions faced by educators for doing so.