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.
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.
Then, in the Court of Appeal, Kristie finally won her case. The judgment, handed down on 12 February 2025, reset the legal landscape on freedom of speech and religion in the workplace.
And, as a double-down on her victory, in June 2025 the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal to February’s ruling.
Commenting on her victory, Kristie said: “Expressing biblical Christian teaching on gender and sexuality may appear to be offensive to those who hold the opposite views, but as today’s judgment signals, Christians have a right to express their beliefs publicly.
“This is not just about me. Too many Christians have suffered discipline or marginalisation at their work because of their Christian faith.
“I’m thankful to Andrea Williams, Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre.
“Without them and everyone who supports them, I could never have come this far.”
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More details
- Supreme Court refuses school’s attempt to appeal landmark win
- Kristie Higgs wins as Court of Appeal rules dismissal for free speech is illegal
- Kristie gives thanks to God for free speech victory
- Interview with Kristie: Free speech victory would ‘make it all worth it’
- Read the Court of Appeal judgment
- 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