The headmaster of one of Britain's top schools has had his credibility called into question after an industrial tribunal rejected parts of his evidence.

Westville House Preparatory School, in Ilkley, is now facing a compensation bill after losing a case against its former Director of Music.

Barbara Boothroyd handed in her resignation following criticism from the headmaster Charles Holloway, who allegedly told her she had let musical standards slip lower than at any time over the past five years.

And in evidence to a tribunal he claimed that an audience at the Wharfedale Music Festival was left "cringing inwardly" because the performance from Westville House pupils was so bad.

But the headmaster himself came under attack after an industrial tribunal in Leeds.

In a written decision following the two day hearing the tribunal bench unanimously backed Mrs Boothroyd's claim for unfair dismissal.

And it called into question crucial elements of evidence given by Mr Holloway.

It says: "The Tribunal found that Mr Holloway lacked credibility, and that he was at times evasive in giving his evidence."

The written decision casts doubt on the head's version of events of a meeting with Mrs Boothroyd where he criticised her performance and told her that senior staff and outside assessors would be asked to sit in on her lessons.

It says: "In making this judgement, the Tribunal relies on the evidence given by him for the first time in Tribunal that he concluded the meeting of November 27 by inviting the applicant to go away and think about what he said.

"When considered along with the contents of the preparatory notes for the meeting and his letter of 27 November, the Tribunal find that his failure to include his evidence in his witness statement indicates that it is more likely that he did not say these words or extend this invitation to her.

"Mr Holloway is an intelligent person who is aware of the significance of these matters, and this particular piece of evidence was considered by the Tribunal to indicate a lack of credibility on his part."

It points out another discrepancy between his written and verbal evidence and adds: "For these reasons the tribunal found that Mr Holloway lacked credibility and that where there was a conflict on issues which were material to its Decision, the Tribunal preferred the evidence of the Applicant. The Tribunal found that the other witnesses for the Respondents were credible."

In her evidence Mrs Boothroyd had described how she was totally unprepared for the criticism which was levelled at her when she was called into the headmaster's office last November.

And she said she felt as though she was being treated like a naughty pupil when she was asked to report to him every Monday with planning sheets for the week ahead.

"I felt worthless and betrayed. In those circumstances I felt I had no alternative but to leave," she said.

The tribunal heard the school, which was ranked number 41 in the Sunday Times list of top schools for 2003, and which charges annual fees of £5,640, failed to win any prizes at last year's prestigious Wharfedale Music Festival.

But it ruled that Mrs Boothroyd had been unfairly and constructively dismissed.

"The Tribunal finds that, in this particular case, the way in which Mr Holloway conducted the management of the Applicant's performance was such as to breach the contract of employment between them

"Mr Holloway gave evidence to the effect that he had received no training in the management of staff, and as is often the case with Management, this lack of training was apparent in the way in which he dealt with the Applicant on this occasion."

The Tribunal identifies several fundamental breaches of contract.

It points out that he failed to inform Mrs Boothroyd what the purpose of the November meeting was and he failed to give her the chance to defend herself either during or after the meeting.

The issue of compensation will be decided at a later date.

After the decision Mrs Boothroyd, of Keighley, who is not working at the moment, said: "Obviously I am very happy with the way it has gone. I am just glad it is all over now."

In a statement Westville House school said: "We are, naturally, surprised and disappointed by the outcome of the Tribunal, especially as the school had no intention of dismissing Mrs Boothroyd and we consider that our actions in this matter were both fair and reasonable.

"It is important to be able to discuss performance with members of staff in a forward-looking manner in order to maintain high standards and for the good of the school community.

"Notwithstanding the fact that the Tribunal has found against us, the school will always continue to move forward and take whatever measures are required to maintain and enhance standards."