NINE pupils were moved from a tiny Dales primary school because their parents were so unhappy with the teaching standards, an employment tribunal heard.

A father who had three children at Arncliffe School said parents were willing to drive several miles to neighbouring Threshfield so their children could attend that school instead.

Nicholas Carter, who lives in Arncliffe, was giving evidence in support of teacher Margaret Falconer who left the village school in November 2003 because she felt headteacher Hazel Ashworth was "professionally inadequate."

Mrs Falconer was claiming unfair dismissal from the school. She quit as long term supply teacher when her hours were cut from two-and-a-half days a week to just Friday mornings.

However, on the third day of the tribunal, a private settlement was reached between the teacher and the school. No details of the settlement have been made public.

Mrs Falconer has told the Leeds Tribunal that Mrs Ashworth was disorganised and uncommitted. She failed to plan lessons properly and there were also health and safety concerns.

The head has since retired on the grounds of ill health.

Giving her evidence, Mrs Falconer said she had aired her concerns at a meeting with school adviser Sheila Lewis on April 1, 2003.

She claimed that Miss Ashworth knew she was a "whistle blower" and wanted to exclude her from staff meetings. "I felt betrayed by the school and let down by the LEA," she said.

Her case was against North Yorkshire County Council Education Department and the governors at Arncliffe School.