Campaigners outside the Town Hall

AN employment tribunal judge has ordered a Camden school to pay a salary to a teacher who claims she was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about how it was being run.

Kate Williams was sacked by The Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCLH in March a move which has lead to industrial action by union members.She was awarded an interim relief order last week instructing her employers to pay her until a full hearing is held.

“I’m still in shock but I feel like such a weight has been lifted off me,” Ms Williams said.

“For the judge to read about my experiences and find in my favour, feels like my life has completely changed for the better.”

Ms Williams said she had raised colleagues’ concerns about the school’s new management after agreeing to serve as a union representative two years ago.

The National Education Union said its represen­tatives raised grievances appropriately but have since faced unfair backlash.

Staff have since gone on strike to “reinstate Kate” – the first time in the school’s 80 year history that staff have taken strike action.

Prior to her suspension, Ms Williams had taught at the specialist setting for nearly 15 years.

Camden Council declined calls to intervene on the case.

Kate Williams

On Monday evening, Ms Williams joined other staff outside the Town Hall to protest.

Megan Quinn, Camden NEU branch secretary said: “This is an unprecedented level of trade union victimisation in a Camden school.

The striking NEU members, longstanding, highly committed teachers, have raised the alarm over bullying and unsafe practices in the schools since 2024.

“The children and staff are being severely let down by the school governors and Camden Council, who have failed to intervene.”

“Camden NEU urges the board of governors and Camden Council to engage urgently with the NEU in ACAS talks to reach a much needed and long overdue resolution.”

Daniel Kebede, the NEUs general secretary added: “Instead of listening to experienced teachers who provide care and outstanding education to some of the country’s most vulnerable children, the new leadership has sought to silence them and target union members. We will not tolerate any attacks on trade union representatives, and we will defend them to the end.”

A spokesperson for the governing body said: “We will not comment on individual cases, but we are working closely with school leaders and Camden to consider an appropriate way forward in the light of the judgement. We are committed to the wellbeing of all staff and pupils at the school and to ensuring that the learning opportunities for pupils are not affected by ongoing processes.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the school, the governing body and the union to consider the judgment and agree the appropriate way forward.”