THE former head of English at a Monmouthshire school suffered from stress as she struggled to cope with the demands placed on her, a competency hearing heard yesterday.

Kathryn Currie, who attended the General Teaching Council for Wales hearing in Cardiff, was the head of English at Chepstow School between 1990 and 2013.

Mrs Currie faces a total of 14 allegations relating to the overall charge of professional incompetence between October 2012 and September 2013. She denies all the allegations.

The allegations include:

* Failing to do the following: Implement a robust system for moderation, standardisation and/or monitoring progress.

* Identify barriers to learning effectively.

* Evaluate pupil progress and outcomes at key stages three, four and five.

* Ensure that all staff receive the appropriate levels of support.

* Fulfil the basic role of a curriculum leader.

Concerns were first raised about Mrs Currie’s performance following an Estyn inspection in 2012.

In the Estyn report, pupils’ performance in English was said to be weak and their literacy skills underdeveloped.

Victoria Duke, the assistant head teacher at the school, was appointed as a senior leadership link to the English department following the report and held weekly meetings with Mrs Currie.

Giving evidence yesterday, Ms Duke said: “There was pressure on Kathy and she was really stressed. It was a stressful time and there was a lot to do, but these were things that had to be done as head of faculty.

“I made an action plan and went through everything that could have been picked up by a review.

“I felt I did everything I could. I wanted Kathy to succeed.

“But, I didn’t see any improvement during my period as senior leadership link.”

With a programme of managerial support put in place, an informal capability process was instigated by the school on November 12, 2012.

A final written warning was issued, ahead of a formal capability procedure, and she was eventually dismissed on November 18, 2013.

Tony Price, deputy head teacher at the school since June 2007 and a practising Estyn inspector, said: “Little action was taken by Kathy to correct her failures and pupils’ education was in serious jeopardy.

“Since her dismissal, in excess of 77 per cent of pupils have achieved an A*-C grade.”

Proceeding