Content provided in partnership with

pounds 100,000 for teacher `bullied' in workplace

Independent, The (London), Jul 17, 1998 by BRENDAN BERRY

A former deputy head teacher has won more than pounds 100,000 damages in the first case of its kind after claiming he was bullied at work by colleagues.

Mr Anthony Ratcliffe, aged 48, yesterday blamed his experiences for the two mental breakdowns he suffered, which forced him to give up teaching.

Solicitors reached an out-of-court settlement with his former employers after claims that he was isolated, ignored and subjected to a series of humiliating practical jokes.

Mr Ratcliffe, who taught at Sageston County Primary in Carew, near Pembroke, west Wales, also maintained he was denied the normal responsibilities of a deputy head and was refused a set of keys to the school.

Most Popular Articles in News: The Ten Best Laptop bags; Tata plans cheapest-ever car for Indian market; GLOBALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD WORLD; Corn is good for you; Corn is not only a tasty treat, but also a cereal that ...; THE 50 BEST STYLISH HANDBAGS TO CARRY; More »

Among the incidents of which he complained was a Christmas party at which he claimed he was asked to give an elderly spinster and former teacher a wrapped present - which turned out to be a six-inch chocolate penis.

Mr Ratcliffe - who barely knew the woman involved - said he was horrified to discover what the gift was and deeply embarrassed to think the bawdy humour was his idea. Later at the same party, he said, a bottle of wine he brought in was re-labelled "Randy Brandy", adding to his discomfort.

Mr Ratcliffe, whose case was taken up by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the torment went on for more than a year.

"The bullying led to my breakdown and it got to the point where I couldn't teach any more" he said yesterday.

"I joined the school as a confident, competent person, looking forward to promotion through the education system.

"I took great pleasure in seeing children develop and it is a great loss that will never be able to be replaced."

Mr Martin Pilkington, head of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' legal team, said: "This is the first case where a teacher has settled a claim based on allegations of bullying for a six-figure sum.

"The case demonstrates that employers have to take the issue of bullying and harassment at work very seriously indeed."

The council had not accepted that there was any negligence on its part, or that the head teacher's actions amounted to a breach of contract, and had claimed that Mr Ratcliffe's breakdown was the result of inherent personality problems.

But it agreed the out-of-court settlement after the ATL started proceedings in the High Court.

Education officials said yesterday that Mr Ratcliffe's allegations were still denied, despite the settlement.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council - which took over from Dyfed County Council, Mr Ratcliffe's former employer - said: "Throughout, the council has not accepted the allegations made by Mr Ratcliffe and the proceedings have been strenuously resisted. The insurers and Mr Ratcliffe have, however, now agreed to settle this case without the necessity of a court hearing.

"Such an agreement does not alter the position in that the council continues to reject the allegations made by Mr Ratcliffe."

County councillor Mr Norman Parry, vice-chairman of governors at Sageston County Primary School, expressed his "complete confidence" in its head teacher, management and staff.

"These allegations refer to matters which occurred some years ago and I know that Sageston School is a happy, successful and caring school," he said. "None of these allegations has ever been proved and they have been refuted all along. It is a great shame that this whole matter has had to be washed out in public like this. A settlement was made `out of court' and that should be the end of the matter."

The ATL said that after Mr Ratcliffe suffered a minor breakdown in October 1992, Dyfed County Council sent him back to Sageston in July 1993, although it knew he wanted to be moved. The teacher then suffered a second breakdown.

It was also said a support plan devised for him by the council was not properly implemented. Mr Ratcliffe, now a self-employed kitchen fitter, will receive pounds 101,028.

He said: "My life and that of my family have been completely shattered. But our love for each other has certainly helped us through it."

His solicitor, Ms Susan Wilde, said bullying in the workplace was "a huge problem" for teachers.

"Teachers are in a unique position and head teachers have enormous scope to bully," she said. "Heads are placed under enormous pressure and, on the whole, local authorities don't train the heads very well."

pounds 100,000 for teacher `bullied' in workplace

Independent, The (London), Jul 17, 1998 by BRENDAN BERRY

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in News

Most Popular Publications in News