Former Marling headteacher Roger Lock, who claimed he was unfairly dismissed from the Stroud grammar school has today, Wednesday, lost his case at an employment tribunal.

Mr Lock - who worked at the high achieving school for 30 years - was sacked from his job last year following allegations of bullying and harassment. The allegations did not involve pupils.

An employment tribunal was held at the Crescent Centre in Bristol and heard evidence over five days. The judgement was given today, Wednesday.

Employment Judge Christopher Carstairs said: “It is the unanimous decision of the tribunal that the claimant's complaint of unfair dismissal fails and is dismissed.”

He went on to say: “This case has, for us, see-sawed.

“Mr Vaitilingam (Mr Lock's lawyer) gave us a lot of food for thought.

“It comes down to the fact that the law was against you in our view.”

Mr Lock was suspended in November 2008 by Neil Carmichael, who at the time was chair of Marling's governors.

Mr Lock was then sacked last year for allegedly bullying and harassing staff.

Details of the alleged bullying were heard at the tribunal.

The complaints which triggered Mr Lock's suspension were from governor Simon Holden and two staff members.

Mr Holden thought Mr Lock had sent an anonymous letter to his employer which implied the head had concerns about him.

Meanwhile, Marling examinations officer Penny Kramer believed Mr Lock did not give her enough time to do her job and did not listen to her.

Retired head of maths Cyril Verey said Mr Lock had 'shouted' at him at two meetings when he was told to improve grades.

The tribunal also heard from Joyce Winwood, former acting headteacher at Stroud High School, who said she was 'bullied' by Mr Lock after a series of disagreements.

Adam Vaitilingam QC, for Mr Lock, said the correct procedures for Mr Lock's dismissal had not been followed by Mr Carmichael.

But this was disputed by Ptar Starcevic, for Marling School, who insisted Mr Carmichael had followed procedures properly, in accordance with the School Governance Regulations 2003.

The tribunal panel judged that this was the case and that Mr Carmichael had rightly taken it upon himself to instigate an investigation and appoint a disciplinary panel under the act, which states that the chairman of governors has the right to act on behalf of the school's governing body 'in cases of urgency'.

The tribunal judgement reads: “The tribunal has concluded that Mr Carmichael's actions fell within the provisions of Regulations 7 (1) and (3) of the Governance Regulations, since waiting for a governing body meeting could result in delay, particularly if there was to be substantial debate because there were such opposing views regarding the headteacher held within the governing body. As a result of which no governor could remain impartial.”