Teacher Wins Over £370,000 Tribunal Case After Union Dispute and Discrimination

Carmen Wood-Hope has won a huge payout from Salford Council

A former primary school teacher has been awarded more than £370,000 following a landmark tribunal ruling which found she was unfairly dismissed due to her union activity and suffered disability discrimination.

Carmen Wood-Hope, a long-serving and highly regarded educator, took legal action against The Friars Primary School in Salford after facing what a tribunal described as a "sustained campaign" by headteacher Michael Earnshaw. She was supported throughout the process by her local NEU representative, Judith Elderkin.

The case revealed that Ms Wood-Hope, who was a trade union representative, had challenged the headteacher over changes to classroom observation policies in 2018. Her objections, made on behalf of staff, were dismissed — and she soon found herself subject to disciplinary processes and what the tribunal described as “unjustified” performance plans.

According to the tribunal, Mr Earnshaw harboured “personal animosity” toward Ms Wood-Hope and acted in “revenge” for her union activity. His conduct included unsubstantiated allegations, biased performance reviews, and actions that ultimately led to her long-term sick leave and eventual dismissal in 2020.

The tribunal found she had been automatically unfairly dismissed for trade union reasons and had also been discriminated against due to a disability. The panel noted that her performance was deliberately misrepresented and that she was denied reasonable adjustments.

Crucially, after her dismissal, the headteacher reportedly provided damaging references that obstructed her attempts to secure further employment — something the tribunal also found unjustified.

The financial award includes compensation for injury to feelings, personal injury, aggravated damages, and loss of earnings. However, Ms Wood-Hope has so far received only around £240,000 of the £370,563 awarded, as Salford City Council is disputing £130,000 intended to cover tax liability.

Speaking after the verdict, Ms Wood-Hope said:

“The human cost to me and my husband has been devastating. I lost the job I loved and was good at. We had to sell our home and I lost my financial security at the age of 60. No one has apologised — not the school, not the headteacher, nor the local authority.”

She credited her NEU representative for tireless support throughout the process and said she remains unable to move on until the full award, including the tax liability, is resolved.

A spokesperson for Salford City Council said they "will consider the learning from the case," but declined to comment on whether the outstanding tax liability would be paid.