NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union secured compensation of £15,432,178.60 for members during 2025.
The compensation was awarded for successful claims relating to unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, health and safety and personal injury.
The figures are being released on the eve of the NASUWT’s Annual Conference, which is being held over the Easter weekend in Birmingham.
A teacher received a six figure payment in damages after a pupil threw a toaster and a chair at them. The pupil then punched and kicked them as the teacher was removing them from the classroom. This resulted in a physical injury severe enough to require surgery and psychiatric injury.
Another member contracted leptospirosis from an infestation of rats at their school, causing a range of injuries including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nervous anxiety, physical and mental weakness and brain fog. This impacted on their ability to concentrate and their mood. An out of court settlement was agreed and a six figure settlement was achieved.
We brought a claim for disability discrimination after a teacher who had been left disabled following a workplace injury was denied access to a suitable toilet and moved to a new job role on a reduced salary.
The teacher was injured after a whiteboard that was not fixed to the wall properly fell on them, resulting in severe injuries which required surgery. When they returned to work they required several reasonable adjustments, which included needing to be within close proximity to a toilet. They subsequently required a further operation on their spine and on their phased return were deemed unfit for work. The member was taken through the school’s sickness absence procedures, but the recommendations of the occupational health report were ignored by the headteacher.
After the member had exhausted their sick pay entitlement they received a unilateral change of job role, on a reduced salary with no pay protection. This was contrary to their entitlement under the Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. The member returned to work and was relocated to a new classroom for no justifiable reason, revoking the reasonable adjustments that had been in place, causing further issues with their mobility and toilet access. Other issues persisted with the member’s reasonable adjustments, including being denied access to the disabled toilet. Whilst taking a class the member was unable to reach the toilet they had now been given use of and soiled themselves.
A formal complaint and grievance were lodged, but subsequently the NASUWT submitted an Employment Tribunal claim on behalf of the member, contending that they had been discriminated against on the grounds of their disability. The claim was settled after a reasonable five figure sum was negotiated.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
“If all employers took seriously their duty of care and legal responsibilities to their employees we would not be forced to pursue legal remedies to get redress for members.
“Behind every successfully concluded case is a teacher who has suffered months, and in some cases years, of mental distress and anxiety. Some members are no longer able to return to teaching due to the physical injuries they have sustained or the psychological impact of the treatment they have experienced.
“We will not hesitate to pursue justice and redress for members where they are injured, made ill or suffer unfair and discriminatory treatment at work.”
