Hospital school teachers have gone on strike again after bosses resisted a tribunal order to temporarily reinstate their sacked colleague.
Teacher Kate Williams spent nearly 15 years at the Children’s Hospital School located at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and UCLH, where she taught desperately ill children between the ages of 4 and 18.
But Williams, who is also a representative for the National Education Union (NEU), was suspended in July 2025 on a charge of gross misconduct.
Dismissal triggers months of strikes
Her eventual dismissal in March 2026 triggered staff strikes spanning several months, as Williams and colleagues claimed the leaders tried to “demoralise” staff by “unfairly” dismissing her.
Williams previously told media that the school’s environment had “turned sour” after the arrival of a new headteacher who allegedly blocked union meetings and “intimidated” staff, reducing some to tears. Three senior members of staff have also been suspended since October 2025.
The school is run by Camden Council and operates as a special facility to provides education for children staying at both Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London Hospital.
Tribunal order resisted
Williams also alleges that new management pushed through unnecessary changes despite the school’s strong performance. Since its establishment, the hospital school has consistently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
The senior teacher’s refusal to accept her dismissal led to an interim relief hearing in July, which saw an employment judge order the school’s governing body to reinstate Williams at full pay until a full employment tribunal takes place.
But despite this, management are understood to be appealing this ruling – triggering fresh strike action from staff. The governing body has, however, agreed to continue the teacher’s contract and pay her salary.
Teacher speaks out
“It’s such a rollercoaster. I should be grateful of getting paid, but I’d rather be doing my job,” Williams said.
“If I’d behaved unprofessionally, I would have lost my job and had to take it on the chin. But nobody has explained what I’m supposed to have done wrong.
“If it was a normal school, I would probably have just gone. But children in those hospitals can’t suddenly decide to be done with cancer treatment or a new heart,” Williams said.
The NEU has now launched fresh strike action in response to what they deem “victimisation”. The NEU previously said 8 in 10 members attributed their workplace stress to the management style.
On Tuesday, October 6, dozens of NEU protesters picketed Camden Town Hall, calling on the local authority to intervene.
The hospital school came under the direction of Camden Local Education Authority in 1990, but is legally overseen by the governing body. Williams said the council’s HR department had contacted her about the case, and asked her what outcome she wanted.
“I said, ‘I want to come back,’” she told journalists.
Council response
Camden Council says it does not comment on individual matters due to confidentiality. A spokesperson added: “We are working closely with the school and the governing body – as well as the Union, who we’re in touch with about the matters they have raised. We will work with all parties involved to agree the appropriate way forward.
“Our priority remains the wellbeing of pupils and staff and ensuring that any impact on pupils’ learning is kept to a minimum,” they said.
The Hospital School headteacher was contacted ahead of publishing but did not reply. In April, the governing body stated that all matters were being investigated “thoroughly, independently, and fairly”.
