Patten is criticised over school dismissal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN PATTEN, the Secretary of State for Education, was wrong not to intervene in the case of a teacher dismissed from an opted-out school, the High Court ruled yesterday.
Mr Justice Brooke ordered Mr Patten to reconsider the case. Mr Patten had decided not to use his powers when he discovered that Bob Prior, a teacher at Claremont High School in west London, had been unlawfully dismissed.
The judgment reveals the problems grant-maintained schools may encounter in no longer having access to local authority lawyers. The judge said he did not understand how Mr Patten could reasonably have played down the seriousness of Mr Prior's complaint about the conduct of his dismissal hearing.
The judge told him to reconsider and criticised him for his delay in dealing with the complaint. He said a decision could have been taken in May 1992 but Mr Prior was not told the outcome until April 1993.
Mr Prior, head of technology, was alleged by the school to have faxed documents to newspapers which brought the school into disrepute, and to have failed to introduce new teaching methods in response to inspectors' criticisms.
The judge ruled that a committee which dismissed him did not have the legal authority to do so because it had not been appointed by the governors in accordance with the school's articles and instrument of governors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments