Racist parents hound out Asian head teacher

Reading the plight of head teacher Sudhana Singh, you'd be forgiven in thinking what occurred at this local primary school was in America's deep South during the 1960's, not a quite suburb of Reading in the 21st century.

Governors of Moorlands Primary School and Reading Borough Council have been branded a 'disgrace', for not dealing with what has been described as a 'Playground mafia of racist parents'.

Mrs Singh is suing the School Governors and the local authority for racial discrimination. After witnessing and hearing about extreme racist views held by some children and their parents, the head began a discussion about racism to help the children have a better understanding about what it means and how it can be dealt with.

Shortly afterwards, some parents and some school governors began a petition to remove her from her post. Those supporting the Head were labelled 'Paki lovers' and were levelled with threats such as 'if you don't shut up, we'll make you shut up'.

Mrs. Singh started her career in South Africa in 1989 and emigrated to the UK in 2001 when she started teaching in Slough, Berkshire, where she rose to the position of deputy head.

In September 2009, she took up the post of head teacher at Moorlands Primary School in Tilehurst but continued to live in Slough.

In July 2010, Mrs. Singh claimed she was forced to take 'gardening leave' and was made to feel that if she did not agree, she would be suspended. She suffered a miscarriage shortly after being sent on gardening leave.

In her legal statement, she said,

"I considered committing suicide on at least two occasions but received help from health professionals and my sister. Despite my determined and tenacious efforts to build relationships with the Governing Board, my constant request for help from the local authority, my passion to serve the children of Moorlands and my courage in facing up to the parents, my efforts were met with harassment, bullying and victimisation."

While on sick leave she claimed she was constantly contacted by both the Governing Body and the Local Authority with a view to ending her contract.

The tribunal hearing is said to last 15 days.