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'Hounded' head may never teach again 'Hounded' head may never teach again
(about 3 hours later)
Erica Connor's weight plummeted to 6 and a half stonesErica Connor's weight plummeted to 6 and a half stones
A head teacher who won a compensation payout of over £400,000 because her employers failed to back her in a racism row says she is unlikely to ever teach again.A head teacher who won a compensation payout of over £400,000 because her employers failed to back her in a racism row says she is unlikely to ever teach again.
Erica Connor told BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire show how she was hounded out of a career she "adored". Erica Connor told BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire she was hounded out of a career she "adored".
When Erica Connor joined New Monument Primary School in Woking, Surrey, in 1994, it was a faltering school.When Erica Connor joined New Monument Primary School in Woking, Surrey, in 1994, it was a faltering school.
As head teacher, she transformed it into the second-most improved school in the country.As head teacher, she transformed it into the second-most improved school in the country.
But from late 2003 her relationship with the school's governors started to deteriorate.But from late 2003 her relationship with the school's governors started to deteriorate.
Two Muslim governors claimed tensions existed between the school and the community, and Mrs Connor went on to face accusations of racism and Islamophobia.Two Muslim governors claimed tensions existed between the school and the community, and Mrs Connor went on to face accusations of racism and Islamophobia.
At one point, a petition was circulated in the area against her. It contained, she said, "a very personal, vitriolic attack".At one point, a petition was circulated in the area against her. It contained, she said, "a very personal, vitriolic attack".
"It was exceptionally distressing," she said."It was exceptionally distressing," she said.
FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 Live
At one point, her weight plummeted to six and a half stone.At one point, her weight plummeted to six and a half stone.
She explained how the accusations of racism and Islamophobia "attacked the core of me - my values, my beliefs".She explained how the accusations of racism and Islamophobia "attacked the core of me - my values, my beliefs".
She said the local educational authority "seemed very reluctant to confront" the accusations.She said the local educational authority "seemed very reluctant to confront" the accusations.
Inquiries followed and a review in 2004 found no evidence of racism at the school.Inquiries followed and a review in 2004 found no evidence of racism at the school.
But one governor challenged the findings and Mrs Connor felt the local education authority was not backing her, so she resigned.But one governor challenged the findings and Mrs Connor felt the local education authority was not backing her, so she resigned.
"I fought it for two or three years. By the end of it, I was completely exhausted. I am a very strong person - probably most people would have gone within a few months.""I fought it for two or three years. By the end of it, I was completely exhausted. I am a very strong person - probably most people would have gone within a few months."
She went on: "At the time, the people that I expected to stand by me didn't, and that was an incredible shock."She went on: "At the time, the people that I expected to stand by me didn't, and that was an incredible shock."
'Lost trust''Lost trust'
Last month, a High Court judge ruled that Surrey County Council had not offered her enough support and had breached its duty of care to Mrs Connor.Last month, a High Court judge ruled that Surrey County Council had not offered her enough support and had breached its duty of care to Mrs Connor.
She was awarded £407,781 for psychiatric injury suffered and loss of income.She was awarded £407,781 for psychiatric injury suffered and loss of income.
Mrs Connor says she feels she was effectively "hounded" from her job.Mrs Connor says she feels she was effectively "hounded" from her job.
"I certainly have lost a career that I adored. It's been taken from me.""I certainly have lost a career that I adored. It's been taken from me."
And she says she feels unable to teach again because she had lost confidence in her own ability.And she says she feels unable to teach again because she had lost confidence in her own ability.
"I think if you are consistently being told that in some way you are failing, it's quite hard to recover from that.""I think if you are consistently being told that in some way you are failing, it's quite hard to recover from that."
She feels that the ordeal had a far-reaching impact, affecting not only her own life, but also the community and her teaching staff.She feels that the ordeal had a far-reaching impact, affecting not only her own life, but also the community and her teaching staff.
But she hopes "lessons are learned" and that other teachers will "gain some heart from this and think that they do have a voice".But she hopes "lessons are learned" and that other teachers will "gain some heart from this and think that they do have a voice".
Surrey County Council said in a statement: "We are disappointed with the judge's decision, because we believe we went to great lengths to ensure that the correct support, advice and guidance were put in place for Mrs Connor.Surrey County Council said in a statement: "We are disappointed with the judge's decision, because we believe we went to great lengths to ensure that the correct support, advice and guidance were put in place for Mrs Connor.
"We have looked at the judgement closely and have lodged an application for permission to appeal.""We have looked at the judgement closely and have lodged an application for permission to appeal."