TEACHERS at a school under special measures following a critical Ofsted report could vote for industrial action over the dismissal of a colleague.

Local teaching union representatives say a 58-year-old English teacher lost her job at Newton High after suffering a nervous breakdown.

St Helens branch of the NUT said her condition developed after she sustained a back injury at the school, which initially forced her to be absent from work. She was dismissed on health grounds six and half months later, added the union. Colleagues believe the woman, who taught at the school for 17 years, was not given long enough to recover. They argue stress of work led to the breakdown.

NUT members at the school have requested a ballot for industrial action, which is now being considered by the union. If the union agrees to a ballot, 35 staff at the school could then vote on whether to take industrial action.

But St Helens Local Education Authority said the NUT's statement did not present the wider picture. The LEA claimed the decision was taken on medical advice which was not disputed by the employee.

They confirmed a teacher had been dismissed due to ill health and claimed a "procedure agreed by trade unions" was followed. Meanwhile, an unnamed Newton High teacher, was quoted in the NUT release as saying: "We all know the same thing could easily have happened to us. If you are made ill by your work your employer should look after you, not dismiss you. Our colleague was a good teacher. This should never be allowed to happen."

Robin Pye, secretary of St Helens NUT, said the request for a ballot will be given "serious consideration". He added that discussions with the council are ongoing and hoped the matter can be resolved, but added: "Teaching these days is a very stressful job. There is a lot of pressure in all our schools, not least from violent and abusive behaviour. Teachers need to know they will be treated right if the job makes them too ill to work."

The decision to dismiss the teacher was taken by St Helens Council before new headteacher Peter Barry was installed. Mr Pye added that Mr Barry has the full confidence of staff following the steps he has taken to turn the school around.

St Helens LEA added in a statement the dismissal was taken using a fair sickness procedure agreed by the trade unions and used "throughout the council. The LEA has a very supportive sickness policy, which is trade union approved.."