Christian parents in legal threat over boy wearing dress at primary school

The Church of England is facing a threat of legal action from Christian parents who object to a boy wearing dress at their son’s primary school.

Nigel and Sally Rowe took their six-year-old son out of an Isle of Wight primary school as they said this incident showed the school did not conform with biblical values.

They removed their older son from the same school last year after a similar dispute.

Mr Rowe has today told The Sunday Times: “We believe it is wrong to encourage very young children to embrace transgenderism. Boys are boys and girls are girls.

“Gender dysphoria is something we as Christians need to address with love and compassion, but not in the sphere of a primary school environment”. 

Jeff Williams, director of education for the Diocese of Portsmouth, said: “Church of England schools are inclusive environments where pupils learn to respect diversity of all kinds.

“Like any other state school, our schools comply with the legal requirements of the Equalities Act 2010. Among other things, this requires schools to accept the wishes of children and their families with regard to gender identity. It would be unlawful for any of our schools to do otherwise.

“Because our schools have a Christian ethos, we also believe that children of all faiths and those with none should all feel equally welcomed, valued and nurtured as children of God within our learning communities.”

The diocese runs 11 primary schools on the island, according to its website, but has not named the one involved.

Mark Smulian