A teacher who accepted a post with us subsequently accepted another job elsewhere. Believing this was unprofessional our governors then withdrew the offer. The other school did the same. The teacher is now suing both. Is there no justice?
Unfortunately, the current acute shortage of teachers makes it possible for people to play schools off against each other. It would be good if the General Teaching Council established a code of conduct to put a stop to such behaviour.
When school A offered the appointment and it was accepted, even if only verbally, a contract was entered into by both parties. When school B made its offer and it was accepted, that contract was invalidated by the earlier contract, which the teacher was potentially breaking. I do not believe that school B can be blamed for withdrawing its offer. School A did break its contract, although one can understand why they should not wish to employ someone who was capable of such underhand behaviour. It is possible, therefore, that they might be obliged to compensate the teacher for loss of earnings up to the normal period of notice.
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