A former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School teacher who was unlawfully spied on by Caerphilly County Borough Council has been disciplined by the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW).
Five allegations against English teacher Kim Shaw, including making vexatious allegations to an exam board and breaching confidentiality, were upheld at a GTCW hearing today, March 11.
Mrs Shaw, from Blackwood, was suspended from Pontllanfraith Comprehensive in 2010 and sacked in 2012 after making nine complaints to the WJEC and 20 grievances against a colleague.
A tribunal found she was not unfairly dismissed, but Mrs Shaw claimed she was being victimised for raising pupil safety concerns.
It was heard at the tribunal in September 2013, that the council used unlawful surveillance prior to the teacher being sacked in 2012, according to a report by the information commissioner.
At today’s hearing Mrs Shaw’s legal representative from the NASUWT union, Colin Adkins, claimed she was trying to raise what she thought were legitimate concerns in the public interest.
It was also upheld that she behaved inappropriately towards staff, including her headteacher, head of department and line manager.
Mrs Shaw will be able to continue teaching providing she meets certain conditions and proves she can hold a professional relationship with headteachers.
Mr Adkins said the outcome represented a “halfway house”, with the GTCW panel sympathising with Mrs Shaw but having to be seen to act.
He also questioned why no one at Caerphilly Council has been held accountable for the unlawful surveillance.
A spokesman on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council and Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School said: “Mrs Shaw was dismissed in 2012 and then took her case to an employment tribunal.
“Her claim of unfair dismissal was not upheld by the tribunal and they felt that the actions taken by the school were fair.
“The issues under consideration by the GTCW relate to her professional conduct as a registered teacher, so it would be inappropriate for us to comment further other than to note the findings of the GTCW hearing.”
Mrs Shaw is taking legal action against Caerphilly County Borough Council with regard to unlawful surveillance.