Headteacher is criticised

A headteacher of an Islington primary school has been strongly criticised in a employment tribunal ruling.

Matt Britt, who took over at Canonbury Primary, in Canonbury Road, in February was involved in a case connected to his previous job as school improvement partner at Lambeth Council and later as interim headteacher at Henry Fawcett school.

He had replaced James Walker, who was signed off while fighting cancer.

Mr Walker was suspended on his return due to allegations of bullying and harassment and resigned in September 2010, alleging constructive dismissal.

He has now won an employment tribunal which ruled he was unfairly dismissed and the judgement strongly criticised Mr Britt along with several others involved.

It said Mr Britt was an “unreliable witness”, that his evidence could not be accepted, that his account of one aspect of the case was “untrue” and that his conduct in clearing Mr Walker’s office while he was on suspension was “inexcusable”.

An Islington Council spokeswoman said: “Our experience is that Mr Britt is a good headteacher and an excellent leader.

“Canonbury School recently received a ‘good’ Ofsted report and we have every confidence in his ability.”