A FORMER bursar at a private school has been awarded over £68,000 in compensation after an industrial tribunal ruled he had been unfairly dismissed. Peter Mitchell was bursar at Kingshott School near Hitchin until his dismissal in November 2004. He had jo

A FORMER bursar at a private school has been awarded over £68,000 in compensation after an industrial tribunal ruled he had been unfairly dismissed.

Peter Mitchell was bursar at Kingshott School near Hitchin until his dismissal in November 2004.

He had joined the school in 1992 and during his time there helped oversee a £2 million building project.

Mr Mitchell, 59, of The Old Granary, Ashwell, who was earning an annual salary of £47,000, claimed he was unfairly dismissed.

Following a long legal action against Kingshott, the school finally settled out of court after the judgment in January by an industrial tribunal that Mr Mitchell was wrongfully and unfairly dismissed.

This week Mr Mitchell, who is currently unemployed, received the final settlement of his legal action against the school with a cheque for £68,579.11.

"I had worked hard for the school then all of a sudden I was dismissed. I was rather shocked and surprised," said Mr Mitchell.

"I was completely puzzled by the decision. I have got the maximum compensation possible through an industrial tribunal but I am out of work and it is rather hard to get work at 59.

"It is terribly sad this should have happened and I had to take legal action against the school I enjoyed working for.

"It is also very sad the school has not contacted me and even said sorry."

Kingshott headteacher Paul Ilott said: "Kingshott School was extremely disappointed by the findings of the tribunal. We endeavoured to act in the best interests of the school and stand by the decision to dismiss.