Black PE teacher who was sacked on ‘first day of Black History Month’ sues school

A black PE teacher who was sacked ‘on the first day of black history month’ is suing her former school for unfair dismissal.  

Louise Lewis, 40, was suspended from her role as a PE teacher at North Huddersfield Trust School in Yorkshire in October 2020.  

The 40-year-old mother-of-two is pursuing two claims at an employment tribunal – one for unfair dismissal against the school and one claiming racial discrimination against headteacher Mr Andrew Fell.

Ms Lewis had been a teacher at the school for a decade and served under seven other headteachers before she was dismissed.   

Louise Lewis, 40, is suing her former school for unfair dismissal and has accused the headteacher, Andrew Fell, of racial discrimination 

Ms Lewis was fired from North Huddersfield Trust School after being suspended on ‘the first day of black history month’ in October 2020 (file image)

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Ms Lewis was the only black teacher at the school at the time and she believes her treatment was motivated by race.  

There had been hopes of a reconciliation between Ms Lewis and senior management but there was a further breakdown in the relationship and she was dismissed in December 2021. 

Mr Fell has been accused of racial discrimination by the teacher

Hazel Danson, Kirklees NEU District & Branch Secretary, said before the start of the hearing: ‘Louise Lewis was the only black teacher at the time and was first suspended from her role as a PE teacher on October 1, 2020, the first day of Black History Month and at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic.

‘At this time Louise was the NEU school representative seeking to ensure that the school remained safe for staff and pupils. 

Ms Danson said the proper procedures for dismissal had not been followed before Ms Lewis was permanently fired. 

‘In December 2021, Louise was dismissed but there was no hearing where she could defend herself or put her case and the decision was not made by a panel of governors as should have happened, but an individual, (headteacher Andrew Fell), who we believe was acting beyond his powers.

The tribunal in Leeds started on Monday and is expected to last several days.