It is important that teachers with many years of service are retained in our profession, not simply be viewed as disposable

Barbara Staff

Barbara Staff said she was pleased with the tribunal's ruling.

"It is important that teachers with many years of service are retained in our profession, not simply be viewed as disposable," she said.

"I feel that the judgement of the tribunal gives a very clear message to both employers and employees that employment rights exist to prevent injustice and that we must all be aware of them, fight for them and use them where we can."

In its written verdict, the tribunal criticised the decision to follow a "First in, First out" policy, saying it "discriminated against employees who had provided greater loyalty and length of service".

Offer 'rejected'

Governors at the school claimed Mrs Staff had rejected an offer to work part-time and that she chose not to apply for the 4-day week post.

But the tribunal agreed with her when she said she did not know she was going to be considered for redundancy at the time or that part-time meant as many as four days a week.

Mrs Staff said: "I was chosen because of my long service but shortly after my imposed redundancy, a new teacher was appointed on the same salary scale as I had been on.

"It was a very low spot. I am not a combative person but it is necessary to fight injustice."

Mrs Staff was supported in her action by her union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

The union's general secretary Peter Smith said: "Schools of all places should recognise the value of mature professional staff.

"Getting rid of people over the age of 50 is a wicked waste of a life-time of experience."