Headteacher awarded £400,000 damages over ‘Islamophobia’ accusations
The Court of Appeal ruled that Erica Connor, the ex-head of a primary school, was entitled to £407,700 in damages awarded to her by the High Court when she was forced from her job after two Muslim governors tried to give Islam a greater presence in the school.
About 80% to 85% of the pupils at New Monument primary school are Muslim, of which approximately 64% are Pakistani Muslims, and the others are of various nationalities. Problems began in 2003 when two new Muslim governors were appointed. One governor allegedly tried to ‘stir up’ disaffection in the community against the school, including complaining about two teachers who he alleged, had evinced disrespect for the Koran and the Muslim religion. A subsequent investigation revealed there was no case to answer. This was followed by a complaint about institutional racism, a petition calling for the head teacher’s removal and offensive graffiti relating to Ms Connor appearing on the school walls.
Ms Connor stopped work due to stress and never returned. The Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that Surrey County Council had failed in its duty of care to Ms Connor by failing to protect her against the actions of the two governors, who had an agenda to increase the role of the Muslim religion in the school, and which had placed Ms Connor under intolerable pressure. The £407,700 in damages was also upheld. The Court acknowledged, however, that the Council found itself faced with the unenviable task of responding in an equitable fashion to an inequitable campaign designed to capture a secular state school for a particular faith.
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