Teacher wins case of unfair dismissal

An art teacher who was sacked from a school in North Wales after becoming pregnant has won her case of unfair dismissal. Rebecca Raven, 32, who had worked at Howell’s School in Denbigh since October 2008, applied for maternity leave in May of last year but was told she would have to leave her £23,000 job at the end of the summer term. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said Mrs Raven was informed she could apply for a part-time job as an art teacher, but when she applied she was not appointed. The school was found guilty of unfair dismissal by a Shrewsbury employment tribunal under Section 99 of the Employment Rights Act and of discrimination under the Equality Act. “I am just so pleased to have won this case. It was terrible being told I was losing a job I loved,” said Mrs Raven, from Flint in North Wales. A spokesman for Howell’s School expressed disappointment at the decision of the tribunal and indicated it is considering an appeal. Our Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 08456 381381 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk.