Teacher faces tribunal over 'racy novel'

An English teacher who was sacked after she wrote a racy novel about her pupils will today take her former employers to an employment tribunal.

Leonora Rustamova, 40, who was known as Miss Rusty to her pupils, lost her job after her novel detailed teenage fantasies, violence and a criminal drug den.

Her sacking from Calder High School, near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, prompted demonstrations by pupils and a campaign by parents to have her reinstated.

The book, which is peppered with expletives, names several teachers and features five Year 11 pupils - all real students and referred to as Miss Rusty's favourites.

One pupil is referred to as fantasising and flirting with Mrs Rustamova.

The story - Stop! Don't Read This! - originally appeared on a self-publishing website before it was removed. Mrs Rustamova taught for more than 11 years before she lost her job in May 2009.

Mrs Rustamova claims the whole thing was blown out of proportion and the school unfairly dismissed her.

A four-day employment tribunal hearing will start in Leeds today where Mrs Rustamova will claim she has been unfairly dismissed.