Teacher 'bitterly disappointed' at losing tribunal

Aldona Done lost a discrimination case against Ellesmere College

A former housemistress said she was bitterly disappointed after losing an employment tribunal against a top boarding school.

Aldona Done, a maths teacher who was also responsible for 80 girl boarders at Ellesmere College, Shropshire, accused bosses of "gaslighting" her after she raised concerns about pupil safety and working practices.

Mrs Done made a series of allegations against college management including harassment and discrimination related to her anxiety disorder.

Employment judge Rachel Wedderspoon said the claims made by Mrs Done were not well founded and were dismissed.

The college said it remained committed to maintaining a transparent and respectful work environment for all staff.

Mrs Done, who has a separate case for unfair dismissal lodged against her former employer, told the BBC she would be appealing the decision.

An application for the verdict to be reconsidered, however, has previously been refused.

"I am bitterly disappointed at the outcome. From the very beginning, all I wanted was to make sure that pupils were kept safe," she said.

"I wanted to improve the pastoral situation at the college and know that lessons were being learned.

Mrs Done, pictured with her husband, said Ellesmere College discriminated against her in relation to a disability she has

Mrs Done told the tribunal in Birmingham she suffered a breakdown shortly after attending A&E with a student who attempted suicide, having had to regularly deal with students' mental health problems.

She felt she received no support from the school afterwards and felt discriminated against.

Mrs Done said the deputy academic head had written in a grievance report in 2022 that she was "emotionally all over the place" and "struggling with reality".

She said the school was aware of a disability she has, or should have been aware, since 2019.

But the school denied it had any awareness until an occupational health report in July 2022, claiming she had actively hidden it from the school and she was not treated less favourably.

While awaiting the decision in her discrimination case, Mrs Done was sacked from Ellesmere College.

The college’s barrister, Andy Pickett, told an interim relief hearing that this was because she spoke about the tribunal matter to students and breached confidentiality.

But Mrs Done argued she had been dismissed for whistleblowing over a student's "inappropriate sexual behaviour" towards female pupils.

A case management hearing for Mrs Done's wrongful dismissal case will take place on 21 October.

Ellesmere College said it was pleased the process was now complete

A spokesperson for the college said: "We recognise and appreciate the thoroughness and impartiality demonstrated throughout the legal process.

"The tribunal’s decision, which was in our favour, across all claims that were brought against the college, brings to a close a matter that has demanded careful consideration and extensive review.

"We respect the tribunal's diligent efforts in ensuring that all aspects were comprehensively evaluated and that a fair conclusion was reached.

"We are pleased that this process is now complete and remain committed to maintaining a transparent and respectful work environment for all our employees."