'Lynch mob' forced governors to axe head

Governors of Ripon Cathedral Choir School, in North Yorkshire, dismissed Susan Cave when parents threatened to remove their children if she was not sacked.

Staff at the school, led by deputy head Ian Atkinson, took part in an questionnaire asking them if they agreed with the appointment of Mrs Cave, the tribunal in Leeds was told.

On one occasion, parents confronted the 43-year-old, telling her it was "impossible" for her to take up the post, while others sent letters of criticism to the governors.

One of four governors to resign in protest at the sacking, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Methuen, said: "There were views expressed, among which was a concern of Mrs Cave's gender and a question of role models, particularly for the older boys."

Describing the hearing as very embarrassing for the £8,000-a-year school, he said that there was a lynch mob that wanted to see Mrs Cave removed.

"My personal view is that it was riddled with sexism from top to bottom," he said.

Mrs Cave was appointed head of the school a year ago, while still head of the pre-prep department at Aysgarth School, near Bedale.

She was due to take the post in Ripon last September, but, due to the strength of parental power, the governing body wrote explaining that her position was ''untenable''.

Mrs Cave claims that she was sexually discriminated against by the governors, while also suffering a breach of contract.

Mrs Cave, who had resigned her post with Aysgarth in April, wrote to parents in a bid to stem their fears, but was sacked in the summer.

Despite standing by Mrs Cave, governors felt they could not go against the parents and wrote a letter to the headteacher to explain their decision.

A parent of children at the boarding school told the tribunal that no one made a sexist comment about the appointment of Mrs Cave.

The tribunal continues today.