A headteacher who claims she was sacked from a private school after 30 years said she was planning to sue for unfair dismissal.

Sandra Hillier, head of the £1,700-a-term St John's School in Stock Road, Billericay, said: "There does not seem to be a definitive reason for my dismissal.

"It has been a nightmare and I sometimes hope I will wake up and the whole thing would have been a horrible dream - but I know I won't."

School : parents are shocked at the sudden dismissal of St John's head Sandra Hillier

Shocked parents returning their children this week after the Easter holiday were handed a letter in which principal Mrs Jan Osen said Mrs Hillier had left and would not be returning.

She said: "I write to inform you that Mrs Hillier, previously headteacher of the upper school, will not be returning to St John's School." The letter went on to say that Mrs Hillier was being replaced by the head of the lower school.

Mrs Hillier claims she only found out about her dismissal after a "normal" meeting with the principal.

Mrs Hillier, who is also a Conservative councillor for Langdon Hills on Basildon Council, said: "This was a real shock to the parents and was a real shock to me. I have not embezzled the school and have not touched any children.

"Mrs Osen has said nothing to indicate the reasons and there really does not seem to be a definitive reason. I am extremely upset as the school was my life." The upper and lower schools have been restructured with Mrs Armour, the former head of the lower school now taking over as head of the whole school.

Mrs Hillier said: "The intake in the upper school is now bigger than it has been in a long time. It is not as if numbers are falling and I have received a lot of support from parents. I went to see Mrs Osen about something different and she said it would be best for me and the school if we terminate my contract. It will be awkward to find another job."

One worried parent said: "It seems extraordinary that she would have left so suddenly, without any prior notice we were aware of."

There was nobody available for comment today at St John's School.

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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