Sutcliffe appeal lost

Maths teacher Joshua Sutcliffe has lost his appeal against a ruling banning him indefinitely from teaching.

Sutcliffe was dismissed after deliberately failing to use a pupil’s preferred pronouns in the classroom and on TV. He had also shared with pupils his views about gay marriage and homosexuality.

In May 2023, a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency ruled he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and made subject to a prohibition order. The judge has now rejected his appeal and said: ‘Just because misgendering a transgender pupil might not be unlawful does not mean that it is appropriate conduct for a teacher.’