'He doesn't seem to understand the reason we are here is him'

Judge tells of 'concern' as head does not attend remedy hearing after union rep teacher was unfairly sacked

- CHRIS SLATER

A TEACHER broke down in court as she outlined the ongoing effect of being forced out of a primary school.

It comes as a judge said the school's headteacher 'just doesn't get it' after he claimed any damages awarded would have to come out of the school's budget - but failed to attend a hearing to set the amount.

Carmen Wood-Hope was unfairly sacked from Friars Primary School in Salford and discriminated against for 'trade union reasons, a tribunal previously ruled.

Ms Wood-Hope, a teacher for more than 30 years, joined the school in 2014 and became a member of the senior leadership team as liaison and cohesion lead, with responsibility for relations with parents and staff.

An employment tribunal held over ten days last year heard she was an excellent classroom teacher who had, in March 2017, been recommended for and received an additional pay award to reflect her 'highly competent' performance. But after she became the NUT, later NEU, workplace representative for teaching staff members at the school, she ended up being dismissed.