A school has written to parents revealing that the male deputy headteacher will be returning to school as a WOMAN after Christmas. 

Mark James will begin gender transition from January 1 and has asked to be called Madeleine when the new term starts. 

Pupils and parents at state comprehensive St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon, Wilts., have been urged to be supportive and respectful. 

Headteacher Fergus Stewart sent an open email to parents and carers on Wednesday informing them of the deputy head's planned transition. 

It read: "We can confirm a member of staff is planning a gender transition from January 1, 2017. 

"This is something that has been planned carefully with advisers, students, staff and parents in a clear and careful way. Our school community is united in supporting our colleague. 

"One of our longstanding teachers, Mr Mark James, will be making a gender transition from January 1, 2017, and from then on will be known as Ms Madeleine James. 

"As you can imagine this decision has required courage and a long period of planning and preparation. 

"I am confident that our students will respond magnificently - indeed they already have. St Laurence has a reputation as a supportive community. 

"The following few weeks, in particular, will be an opportunity for us to practise our values of diversity, equality, teamwork, honesty and learning and to demonstrate that we really are, as our mission statement says, a caring respectful, inclusive community." 

The school is offering advice and help to any of the pupils who may find the news difficult to come to digest. 

Parents have also been invited to raise any questions they may have to staff at the school. 

Mr Stewart's email added: "I know that you will want to play your part in helping your child and us with this, even if this process is one that you find challenging in terms of your personal experiences, views or beliefs. 

"If you would like to raise any questions with me, please do feel free to contact me."