Former chaplain taking school head teacher to court

Rev Bernard Randall took Trent College to an employment tribunal

A former school chaplain is set to take legal action against a head teacher, claiming he was harassed and discriminated against after he was sacked.

Rev Bernard Randall, 51, was dismissed by Trent College in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, in 2019 following a sermon he gave about LGBT teachings.

He lost his unfair dismissal claim and has now appealed against the ruling.

Head Bill Penty declined to comment at this stage of the legal process.

In the sermon Rev Randall told pupils as young as 11: "You do not have to accept the ideas of LGBT activists."

Christian Concern said the sermon reflected the Church of England's teaching on marriage but it triggered complaints from some pupils, parents and staff members, who said it nearly left them in tears.

Rev Randall was removed from his role as chaplain and reported to the government counter-terrorism watchdog Prevent.

He took Trent College to a full employment tribunal and in February a judge ruled against his legal claims.

The judge said the school's redundancy process was genuine and reasonable and the referral to Prevent had been justified "from a safeguarding perspective".

Rev Randall was removed from his role as chaplain at Trent College

Christian Concern said Mr Penty had since referred Rev Randall to the Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) and to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The TRA decided to not take forward a case against him and a decision from the DBS has not yet been made.

Following the TRA referral, Rev Randall launched legal action against Mr Penty for harassment and discrimination against him.

Christian Concern said a full hearing was expected in 2024.

Rev Randall said: "When I found out about the referral, it felt vindictive and malicious to say the least.

"Once the college had the ruling from the tribunal they were not satisfied and wanted to seek to dismantle my life entirely and go for the jugular.

"I am relieved that the TRA has decided to not bring a case against me, but I am horrified that it has got this far.

"I'd love to move on with my life, but now have no choice but to continue to fight for justice."

Mr Penty said he would not comment on the ongoing tribunal proceedings at this stage out of respect for the legal process.

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