Mr M Ankrah v The Governing Body of The King Alfred Federation — 2025

The claimant, a teacher employed by the respondent since September 2015, brought three consolidated claims alleging direct race discrimination, harassment related to race, and victimisation, following an earlier 2018 race discrimination claim which had been partly upheld in July 2019. Claims against individual respondents Ms Newton and Ms Rendell were withdrawn at a Preliminary Hearing in January 2024 and dismissed. The Tribunal determined that allegations relating to events after 6 November 2023 were outside its jurisdiction, and the claimant relied on his 2018 claim as the protected act for victimisation purposes.

The Tribunal dismissed the direct race discrimination complaint and the victimisation complaint. One allegation of harassment related to race was upheld: that Ms Rendell, from the time of the previous claim until 6 November 2023, would regularly roll her eyes at the claimant, mutter comments and behave with hostility when their eyes met. The remaining harassment allegations were not well-founded and were dismissed.

In assessing the witnesses, the Tribunal considered that the claimant believed what he was saying but had misunderstood matters such as the distinction between formal and informal disciplinary processes, and that his scattergun approach made his evidence less compelling at times. Ms Wong and Ms Heat were considered credible, Mr Maher honest and credible though not influential, and Ms Rendell an honest witness who at times came across as somewhat confrontational. Ms Newton did not give evidence, having retired and declined on health grounds. Remedy was not addressed within the portion of the judgment provided.