Urbis Academy Trust

Case Summary

Ms Ikechi-Iro, an Assistant Head Teacher employed from 2014 to July 2020, brought claims of direct race discrimination, harassment, victimisation, disability discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments, unfair dismissal, and breach of contract against Urbis Academy Trust. The tribunal heard evidence over eight days in November 2024 and dismissed all claims on liability, finding no merit in any of the claimant's allegations.

The judgment is on liability only. All claims were dismissed after the tribunal assessed the factual allegations and applied the relevant legal tests. The tribunal found the claimant's allegations not established on the balance of probabilities.

• •Direct race discrimination
• •Harassment related to race
• •Victimisation following protected disclosure
• •Harassment related to disability
• •Discrimination arising from disability
• •Failure to make reasonable adjustments
• •Unfair dismissal
• •Wrongful dismissal/breach of contract

Case Numbers: 3200365/2020 3219924/2020 1 of 51 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Ms J Ikechi-Iro Respondent: Urbis Academy Trust Heard: East London Tribunal Hearing Centre (Hybrid hearing) On: 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 November 2024 Before: Employment Judge S Shore Members: Ms J Houzer Ms S Jeary Appearances For the claimant: Ms E Godwins, Solicitor For the respondent: Mr T Cordrey, Counsel JUDGMENT AND REASONS ON LIABILITY The unanimous decision of the Tribunal is that: 1. All the claimant’s claims of direct discrimination because of the protected characteristic of race are dismissed. 2. All the claimant’s claims of harassment related to the protected characteristic of race are dismissed. 3. All the claimant’s claims of victimisation because she made a protected disclosure are dismissed. 4. All the claimant’s claims of harassment related to the protected characteristic of disability are dismissed. 5. All the claimant’s claims of discrimination arising from disability are dismissed. 6. All the claimant’s claims of failing to make reasonable adjustments are dismissed. Case Numbers: 3200365/2020 3219924/2020 2 of 51 7. The claimant’s claim of unfair dismissal is dismissed. 8. The claimant’s claim of breach of contract (wrongful dismissal) is dismissed. 9. Because all the claimant’s claims have been dismissed, there is no requirement to hold a remedy hearing. REASONS Introduction and History of Proceedings 1. The claimant was employed by the respondent from 1 September 2014 until 16 July 2020, latterly as Assistant Head Teacher (Learning and Knowledge) from 1 May 2018. The claimant was one of three Assistant Head Teachers. The claimant was one of the School’s Senior Leadership Team (“SLT”). 2. The claimant started early conciliation for the first time against the respondent on 29 November 2019 an…