Non binary/transgender teacher

"This is not a female only space, there is no safe guarding issue here. Why not tell your son to address this person as they wish to be addressed".

The world doesn't have to cater to how you or anyone wants it to be.

Informed parents and students. Sorry.

The school should have informed parents and staff that with effect from xx date firstname secondname will be known as new firstname secondname and will be addressed as Ms/Miss/whatever Secondname. But sadly they haven’t done the sensible thing.

Because the first name is ambiguous and the teacher has not indicated Ms/Miss it looks as though they have decided to become gender neutral, in which case the school leadership team should have negotiated a full name the teacher was happy to be addressed as in class and in communication with parents and that reflects the way other teachers in the school are addressed. I would contact the head of year and say both the children in class and you as a parent are confused about how to address the teacher in a manner that conforms to other staff names and would like guidance.

As an ex teacher, female, I was called Sir or even Mum often by students, who weren't concentrating and were just responding to a request in the moment. Didn't matter one jot, couldn't have cared less and as a teacher it was important just to let the children speak without unnecessary criticism. I was also frequently called Mrs X instead of Miss. Again, not even worth correcting or making a thing of it.

The teacher should be clear to students what they are asking to be referred as. Using a first name when everyone else doesn't isn't appropriate. Objecting to the students getting it wrong is not appropriate. The teacher is not there to be validated by the students.

Obviously, if a student is deliberately using a name or title that is wrong, in order to be difficult, then that's different and should be handled in the usual way of dealing with poor behaviour.

I would ask the school for clarification as to how this teacher is asking to be addressed and for reassurance that if your child makes a mistake and gets it wrong that they aren't going to be in trouble. Highlight the negative affect on your child's learning as a result of this confusion - they are now reluctant to engage in this teacher's lessons. Not what schools are aiming for!

This is not a female only space, there is no safe guarding issue here. Why not tell your son to address this person as they wish to be addressed.