Parents at a Church of England primary school have complained after claiming that a trans supply teacher told seven-year-old pupils ‘I’m so gorgeous because I’ve put makeup on and had a shave.’

Year 2 pupils were said to have been left ‘confused’ when the teacher – who was wearing women’s clothing – explained their gender identity to them at the start of an English lesson.

Bitterne Church of England Primary School in Southampton, Hampshire, said it had not been aware that the issue would be discussed in class.