Tutor fired from top prep school wins £140k
A TEACHER at a top prep school has been awarded more than £140,000 after being told to increase her qualifications or become a class helper.
Sue Allington, 61, was fired from £24,000-ayear Rose Hill School after nearly 20 years when the new head told her to study as an undergraduate or take a 40 per cent pay cut as a teaching assistant.
An employment tribunal heard Rose Hill was struggling and head Emma Neville was under pressure in the face of “ever-increasing levels of parental expectation”.
Although Mrs Allington, who taught twice a week at the school in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, had only A levels, she was considered “excellent”.
But when three parents voiced concerns
about her lack of formal training, Ms Neville said it was “essential” all teachers had Level 6 NVQ qualifications or their equivalent.
Demotion would have meant Mrs Allington’s £30,723 salary would be cut to £19,095.
Ms Neville said Government rules suggested only qualified teachers could teach but the London South tribunal ruled that “there was no Government directive applicable”.
Ruling Mrs Allington suffered age discrimination, employment judge Ian Truscott QC said there was no need” for her to be dismissed.
He said she could not be expected to take an undergraduate course at her age because she planned to retire at 65.
Mrs Allington, from Kent, was awarded a total of £141,334 after claiming unfair dismissal and age discrimination.
She said yesterday: “My family have been incredible in what has been a really difficult time for me.”