Kristie Higgs

Kristie lost her job as a school pastoral assistant for sharing her concerns about RSE on a private Facebook post.

Kristie Higgs, a mother of two, had been working for six years as a pastoral assistant at her local secondary school with an exemplary record. The story of her dismissal captured the attention of the national media and caused outrage to Christians and non-Christians alike across the country.

After one anonymous person saw two of Kristie’s personal Facebook posts sharing her concerns about sex education lessons at her child’s primary school, she was reported to her headteacher. Kristie was told that her private posts could “[bring] the school into disrepute” and was subsequently sacked from her position.

Sadly, the concerns that Kristie shared have become real as RSE has been rolled out across schools in England, with many young children being taught age-inappropriate themes.

Commenting on her case, Kristie said:

“I have been punished for sharing concerns about Relationships and Sex Education. I hold these views because of my Christian beliefs, beliefs and views which are shared by hundreds of thousands of parents across the UK. 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 am determined to fight this case and to stand for Christians and all parents across the country who are being silenced for sharing and holding these views.”

In October 2020, the Employment Tribunal ruled that Kristie had not suffered from discrimination or harassment.

In June 2023, the Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned that decision, ruling that the tribunal had not adequately considered Kristie’s freedom of belief and expression.

In October 2024, Kristie’s case was heard at the Court of Appeal. The outcome of the hearing will be determinative of the law on free speech and freedom to express faith in the UK for many years to come. The Court will determine whether it is lawful for an employer to punish employees for private social media posts expressing beliefs on religious, political and moral issues. The case has significant ramifications for Christian freedom in the workplace and the freedom of any employee to express biblical principles on marriage and family, some of which may express opposition to LGBTQI+ ideology, in public or private, without the fear of losing their livelihoods. The judgment was reserved and we now await the result.

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More details

• Kristie’s statement outside the Court of Appeal, October 2024
• Interview with Kristie: Free speech victory would ‘make it all worth it’
• Read about the Employment Appeal Tribunal judgment
• Read the Employment Appeal Tribunal judgment
• Read our press release on the Employment Tribunal judgment
• Read the Employment Tribunal judgment
• Read our pre-trial press release