A teacher told an employment tribunal that she left her job when she could no longer work with the "professionally inadequate" headteacher.

Margaret Falconer said she quit her post as long-term maths and science supply teacher at Arncliffe School near Skipton because she felt betrayed and let down.

Mrs Falconer is claiming unfair dismissal from the primary school when her job was cut from two and a half days a week to Friday mornings.

She claims that school head Hazel Ashworth knew she was a whistle blower and wanted to exclude her from staff meetings. Mrs Falconer told how she raised a list of concerns that were not acted on.

Her case is against North Yorkshire County Council Education Department and the governors at Arncliffe School. Mrs Falconer was the school's long-term supply teacher for four years. She left last November after telling Mrs Ashworth she could no longer work with her. Giving her evidence, Mrs Falconer told of the head's reaction when the parents of two very bright girls removed them from the school in 2002 because they considered their education there not to be sufficiently challenging.

"She said thank goodness they are gone. We don't need pushy parents," Mrs Falconer told the tribunal.

She claims the Mrs Ashworth was forgetful, failed to plan lessons properly and did not pass on important information about a SATS test.

Mrs Falconer aired her concerns at a meeting with school adviser Sheila Lewis on April 1, 2003. But she claims she was told to keep her worries to her self because a parent governor might withdraw his children from the school and start an exodus.

Mrs Falconer said she felt that Mrs Ashworth was disorganised and uncommitted.

By the start of the September 2003 school year Mrs Falconer said that she was the only member of the previous staff team left at the school besides the head and one classroom support assistant.

The case continues.