Cancer-fight teacher wins sacking case

A teacher was unfairly dismissed by an independent school for fear the cancer she had twice battled against might return, it emerged today.

Lorna Hurrell, 54, is expected to receive "substantial compensation" after an employment tribunal in Ashford, Kent, decided the former head of the kindergarten at Gads Hill School, near Rochester, was discriminated against on grounds of disability.

Mrs Hurrell, from Sittingbourne, a teacher for 20 years was treated for breast cancer in 2000, the tribunal heard, but when she returned to work the cancer spread to her liver. After more treatment she was deemed fit to go back to work last April.

Although her specialist recommended a phased return, the school first insisted she work full-time or accept a severance package and then told her to accept severance or be dismissed.

She was finally dismissed last August. Mrs Hurrell, now in remission, said the tribunal result was "wonderful".

Gads Hill headmaster David Craggs said the school was considering an appeal and added that its governors had treated Mrs Hurrell "admirably and in excess of its contractual obligations".