Kevin Flanagan, the headteacher of Pensby High School in Birkenhead, was successful in his claim against Keith and Stephanie Critchley, the parents of two former pupils, who he said had been harassing him since May 2023.
Nick McAleenan, a harassment law specialist at Brabners who represented Flanagan, said: “Teachers are increasingly being subjected to antisocial behaviour at the hands of parents and other individuals,” adding that “discourse and legitimate challenge are an integral part of our society” but teachers should be awarded greater protection to work free from harassment.
A secondary school headteacher has been paid damages in the settlement of a legal claim against abusive parents who he alleged launched a campaign of harassment against him, including turning up at his family home and verbally abusing him at the school gates.
The couple were also accused of confronting Flanagan and the school’s co-chair of governors outside their individual family homes, and pursuing Flanagan’s partner in a “dangerous and threatening way” while driving, something which they denied.
Much of the abuse was carried out online, with the social media account attracting individuals with grievances against the school, including previously excluded pupils, who allegedly posted insulting and offensive comments about Flanagan.
