Head forced to quit by stress wins £400,000 payout

A primary school headteacher was awarded more than £400,000 in damages yesterday after suffering a nervous breakdown which forced her to give up her job.

Erica Connor, aged 57, was awarded the compensation against Surrey County Council for negligence in protecting her, following a campaign against her by governors during which she was accused of racism and Islamophobia. The payout is thought to be one of the biggest ever awarded to a headteacher.

Deputy High Court Judge John Leighton ruled she had been given insufficient support by the council after it became clear that she was suffering mental health problems.

Mrs Connor was head of New Monument primary school in Woking, Surrey, for seven years up until 2005 – and oversaw a big improvement in the school's national curriculum test results for 11-year-olds in her first few years. The school serves a multi-ethnic community.

Joel Donovan from Cloisters solicitors, who represented Mrs Connor, told the court she had been subjected to ongoing complaints after three Muslim governors joined the board in 2003. They alleged she was not giving sufficient attention to the needs of Muslim pupils.

The council ordered a review of the way the school was being governed as a result of the complaints, concluding that the school had good ties with the local community but the governing body was "divided" and "dysfunctional".

After the inquiry, one of the Muslim governors, Paul Martin, was removed, following which "a highly offensive" petition was launched demanding that Mrs Connor be removed from her post. Mr Martin himself then made allegations accusing her and the local education authority of "institutional racism".

Surrey County Council launched another inquiry into the running of the school, despite knowing that Mrs Connor was under severe stress, said Mr Donovan. Monty McLeish, a fellow barrister, said Surrey had failed in its legal duty to protect her, despite repeated warnings that her mental health was being placed seriously at risk.

In the event, she was forced to quit and leave a career to which she will never return. Deputy Judge Leighton said Surrey's action had caused her lasting psychiatric damage. Last night Mrs Connor, who was backed by the National Union of Teachers in her claim, said: "I'm absolutely delighted with this judgment and thrilled that justice has prevailed. I feel vindicated in terms of the accusations of racism and Islamophobia against myself – accusations which affected the core of my being."

Mr McLeish said: "This decision is a victory for common sense and I am sure it will be welcomed by teachers up and down the country who do difficult jobs in what are often very trying circumstances. Local education authorities need to consider this judgement very carefully.

A Surrey County Council spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed with the judge's decision because we believe we went to great lengths to ensure the correct support, advice and guidance was put in place. We will now look at the judgment closely and consider our options."