Head Teacher Mr. Michael 48 Chanage sex And Returned As Women After Six Months as Miss Claire Birkenshaw

Claire Birkenshaw, 48, (pictured) returned to work as principal of Ashwell Academy in Hull, East Yorkshire, this week having last set foot in the school as a man named Michael. A headteacher has become the first to transition from man to woman while in post, prompting a letter of congratulations from the education secretary. Claire Birkenshaw returned to work as principal of Ashwell Academy in Hull this week having last set foot in the school as a man named Michael.

The 48-year-old has spent six months

away from work while adjusting to the change, although the full process is expected to take another two or three years.

After making her transition, she received a letter from Justine Greening praising her openness as 'absolutely fantastic'.

While several teachers and pupils have changed their gender in schools across the country, Ms Birkenshaw is understood to be the first head to do so.

Speaking for the first time yesterday, she said pupils and their families were supportive of her change.

She told the Times Educational Supplement: 'It was brilliant; there were no sniggers, it was just superb. It was a really nice morning.

'Straight away, one kid said, 'Hi Miss'.

'If I look at education, it doesn't seem to be that [there are] many role models.

'So I can try to do things under the radar… but how are people going to know?

'These children in schools need someone who is out there.

'I'm hoping to machete the way for somebody else, and then the next person comes along and the next person, and hopefully in future they will only need tweezers.'

Ms Birkenshaw has run the school – a pupil referral unit for youngsters with behavioural difficulties – since 2013, when it became an academy.

In September 2015 she told her chair of governors that she had gender dysphoria and was going to live as a woman and then started hormone-replacement therapy. 

She informed other headteachers in the local authority a few months ago, as she was preparing to return to work.

In February, 13-year-old Jordan Morgan became the only boy at Gloucester High School for Girls after changing his gender.

And in January, private school Brighton College scrapped distinctions between boys and girls uniforms in an effort to accommodate transgender students.

Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'School leaders aim to make all schools places of tolerance and inclusivity, for pupils and staff alike.

'As important as a child's academic education is, it is equally vital to teach compassion and promote respect.

'Claire Birkenshaw's experience is a model of how this can and should work. It is uplifting that we finally have a society in which Claire has the support she needs – from government, governors, staff, parents and pupils – to be true to herself and lead the way for others.'

Earlier this year, Ofsted gave Ashwell Academy a rating of 'requires improvement' because of issues with teaching and behaviour.

The previous headteacher, Julie Shave, was criticised by a fitness to practise panel after using school funds to buy treats for the staff.