 Bob English welcomed the ruling |
A teacher has won his claim that he was the victim of sexual discrimination when he applied for his first teaching job because he is a man. Bob English took Whitford Primary School, near Holywell in north Wales, to an employment tribunal claiming he had not got the job because of his sex.
On Wednesday the tribunal ruled in favour of Mr English saying he was "thoroughly convincing" in his evidence.
The 39-year-old from Llanarmon-Yn-Ial near Ruthin said he had been told two men were already employed among the school's four employees.
Headmaster Ray Miles denied making the comments and the school is planning to appeal against the decision.
 Schools must know that they can lose at tribunal if they discriminate  |
It is estimated he will receive around �5,000 in compensation.
Afterwards, Mr English, who now works as a postman in Mold, Flintshire, said he was delighted with the outcome.
He is applying for other teaching posts for September.
"Schools must know that they can lose at tribunal if they discriminate," he said.
"Proper recruitment procedures are the best way to ensure fair decisions are made.
"Children deserve the best teachers available."
Mr English was one of two men and 25 women who applied for the teaching post last May.
He told the tribunal at Mold last month that he was a candidate of substance, with a first class honours degree in English.
The tribunal accepted that he was treated less favourably on the grounds of sex, contrary to the Sex Discrimination Act.
'Gender balance'
But the panel rejected his claim that he was victimised for a second post because he had sent in a sex discrimination questionnaire after the original application failed.
School governor Nigel Parry's evidence was "totally accepted" by the tribunal.
However, they said headmaster Mr Miles and chair of governors Goronwy Ellis "retreated into jargon when asked the questions which could have been embarrassing".
The tribunal decide the two men were affected by "the necessity to retain a gender balance".
Mr Ellis said he was "devastated and shocked" that Mr English had won his claim.
Another hearing will be held if both sides cannot reach agreement over compensation.
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