Anthony Ratcliffe, 48, said his experiences caused two mental breakdowns and forced him to give up teaching. He is now a self-employed kitchen fitter.

Anthony Ratcliffe tells BBC News 24 of his experiences

Solicitors reached an out-of-court settlement with his former employers after claims that he was isolated, ignored, and subjected to a series of humiliating practical jokes.

Mr Ratcliffe, who taught at Sageston County Primary in Carew, near Pembroke, West Wales, also maintained that he was denied the normal responsibilities of a deputy head, and was refused a set of keys to the school.

Among the incidents of which he complained was a Christmas party at which he said he was asked to give an elderly spinster and former teacher a wrapped present which turned out to be a six-inch chocolate penis.

Mr Ratcliffe, who barely knew the woman involved, said he was horrified to discover what the gift was and deeply embarrassed to think people believed the bawdy humour was his idea.

At the same party, a bottle of wine he brought in was re-labelled "Randy Brandy", adding to his discomfort, he said.

Mr Ratcliffe, whose case was taken up by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said the bullying went on for more than a year.

Philip Lott of the ATL tells Radio 5 Live: "Bullying is a major problem in the workplace"

"The bullying led to my breakdown and it got to the point where I couldn't teach any more" he said.

"I joined the school as a confident, competent person, looking forward to promotion through the education system.

"I took great pleasure in seeing children develop and it is a great loss that will never be able to be replaced."

The head of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers' legal team, Martin Pilkington, said: "This is the first case where a teacher has settled a claim based on allegations of bullying for a six-figure sum.

"The case demonstrates that employers have to take the issue of bullying and harassment at work very seriously indeed."

The association said it had been "inundated" since the settlement with calls from other people alleging they were suffering from bullying in the workplace.

Denied

The council had not accepted that there was any negligence on its part or that the headteacher's actions amounted to a breach of contract.

It had claimed that Mr Ratcliffe's breakdown was the result of inherent personality problems.

But it agreed the out-of-court settlement after his union started proceedings in the High Court.

Education officials said that despite the settlement, Mr Ratcliffe's allegations were still denied.

Pembrokeshire County Council, which took over from Dyfed County Council, Mr Ratcliffe's former employer, said: "Throughout, the council has not accepted the allegations made by Mr Ratcliffe and the proceedings have been strenuously resisted.

"The insurers and Mr Ratcliffe have however now agreed to settle this case without the necessity of a court hearing.

"Such an agreement does not alter the position in that the council continues to reject the allegations made by Mr Ratcliffe."

The governors and the National Association of Head Teachers support the headteacher at the school, Joan Morris, and her staff.

Anne Hovey, the association's regional officer for Wales, said: "Ms Morris and her staff were quite prepared to demonstrate their innocence in court.

"None of the allegations of bullying have ever been tested or proven by any process of law, so it is wholly wrong that they be represented as truth or fact."