Louth headteacher gave payoffs to staff facing misconduct allegations

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:21 · Archive

A Louth headteacher gave £5,500 payouts to staff accused of serious misconduct including teaching while drunk.

James Lascelles, headteacher of King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth, gave severance payments of £5,500 to at least three staff members and provided them with favourable references whilst they faced disciplinary procedures. An employment tribunal heard in May that rules were broken regarding at least four teachers and staff members at the school during exit arrangements. Mr Lascelles stated he wanted to "support not punish" the departing staff.

The tribunal was told that one staff member, referred to as 'Teacher D', had allegedly sworn at pupils and become involved in an altercation with one which left her "hysterical, in floods of tears" and "fearful for her own safety". A cleaner also reported walking in on him masturbating in a music practice room, where a cupboard had been moved to obstruct the door. The teacher quit in November 2023, and Mr Lascelles gave him a positive reference for a new job, stating there were no concerns about him working with children, without alerting the local authority about safeguarding concerns despite persistent encouragement from staff to do so.

Teacher A allegedly taught an online lesson during lockdown while appearing drunk, swearing and slurring her words. Mr Lascelles arranged a tax-free £5,500 payment "in recognition of the personal difficulties her situation has caused her", despite reservations raised by other staff members. Teacher B was offered an identical settlement in 2022 following allegations of swearing in lessons.

Mr Lascelles was subsequently dismissed from his position over the departure arrangements for these former employees. He unsuccessfully claimed the school had unfairly dismissed him. The employment tribunal sided with the school, backing its decision to terminate his employment.

How it is being reported

• Louth headteacher gave £5,500 payoffs to staff accused of breaking rulesA Louth headteacher gave payouts to staff who were accused of taking drugs, teaching while drunk and masturbating in a music room, an employment tribunal has been told.Lincolnshire World · 5 Nov, 14:05
• Louth headteacher gave payouts to staff accused of misconductHe claimed he was unfairly dismissed from his job, but an employment tribunal has backed the school's decisionGrimsbyLive · 4 Nov, 14:34
• Lincolnshire grammar school headteacher gave £5k payoffs to staff accused of breaking rulesHe claimed he was unfairly dismissed from his job, but an employment tribunal has sided with the schoolLincolnshire Live · 3 Nov, 16:48

In this story: James Lascelles · King Edward VI Grammar School · Louth

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log