AN ENGLISH teacher sacked from a Chepstow secondary school last month is mounting an appeal against the decision.

Former head of English at Chepstow School, Kathy Currie, who began teaching there in 1986, is set to have her appeal heard in the new year by a panel of independent teachers or governors from other Monmouthshire schools.

We contacted the Chepstow School headteacher, Claire Price, for a comment as to why Mrs Currie was dismissed but did not receive a response.

Instead a spokesman for Monmouthshire council said he could not reveal why the teacher was sacked and could not comment on an online campaign, set up by former Chepstow school teacher Mike Rees, who retired in 2009 when he was assistant head, backing Mrs Currie's appeal.

Mr Rees has posted a series of articles on a blog, Reinstate Kathy Currie.

He claims that since January 2012, ten experienced teachers have been made redundant, taken voluntary redundancy or, as in Mrs Currie's case, sacked from Chepstow School.

"Concerns about the capability of Kathy Currie seemed to suddenly surface in spring 2012," he said.

Mr Rees wrote; "I can confirm that for the 12 years prior to December 2009, when I was a member of the school's management teams, no member of these teams has ever expressed any doubts regarding Kathy's ability."

Comments posted on Mr Rees' blog include a message from Glenda Lewin which said. "I have taught in her department, 1 had my two boys and a niece taught by her, one has a degree from Cambridge, another has a doctorate from Bristol.

"Kathy is a dedicated, successful teacher."

David McAdam, a retired lecturer in employment law wrote: "Both my daughters attended Chepstow Comprehensive and achieved top grades in English.

"We considered the English department to be the best staffed and most inspiring department in the school and Mrs Currie to be one of the best of a very strong team."