School linked to world-famous children’s hospital sacks union rep, as long-running dispute with staff becomes even more fraught

National Education Union describes action by Great Ormond Street Hospital School in Camden, North London, as “shameless union busting,” with teachers said no longer to feel safe voicing concerns.

 

A National Education Union representative at a school which has been at the centre of a high-profile dispute featuring many days of strike action has been sacked, in what the union described as a “shameful attempt to undermine union organising”.

Kate Williams, a teacher at Great Ormond Street Hospital School in Camden, north London, was notified of her dismissal this week, with the union stating that her hearing featured a document from the school with more than 300 references to the NEU.

Announcing the development in a statement, the union said that it had been “inundated” with contact from “distressed” staff since the leadership of the school had changed 18 months ago, quoting an unnamed teacher saying Ms Williams’ sacking “feels like a miscarriage of justice and an attack on the NEU group and the entire staff body”.

The union said it will be appealing the dismissal and, if necessary, challenging it at an employment tribunal.

UPDATE: Camden council said (Monday March 30th): "We're having regular conversations with the school, governing body and the union, as they seek to find a resolution. Our priority is to ensure pupils and staff are getting the support they need during this time and to ensure there is minimal disruption to pupils' learning."