Cases2303791/2024

Claimant v City of London Academies Trust

28 November 2025Before Employment Judge HartLondon Southhybrid

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Detrimentfailed

The tribunal found that the complaints of detriment suffered on the grounds of making a protected disclosure were not well-founded, indicating that either no protected disclosure was made or the detriments alleged were not causally linked to any such disclosure.

Automatic Unfair Dismissalfailed

The tribunal concluded that the complaint of automatic unfair dismissal for making a protected disclosure was not well-founded, finding that the dismissal was not automatically unfair under whistleblowing provisions.

Direct Discrimination(race)failed

The tribunal determined that the complaints of direct race discrimination were not well-founded, finding no evidence of less favourable treatment on the grounds of race.

Direct Discrimination(age)failed

The tribunal found that the complaints of direct age discrimination were not well-founded, concluding there was no evidence of less favourable treatment on the grounds of age.

Harassment(race)failed

The tribunal concluded that the complaints of harassment related to race were not well-founded, finding that the conduct complained of did not constitute harassment related to the protected characteristic of race.

Harassment(age)failed

The tribunal determined that the complaints of harassment related to age were not well-founded, finding that the conduct did not constitute harassment related to the protected characteristic of age.

Victimisationfailed

The tribunal found that the complaints of victimisation were not well-founded, concluding that the claimant was not subjected to detriment because of doing a protected act.

Facts

Mrs Iwobi brought claims against City of London Academies Trust alleging whistleblowing detriments, automatic unfair dismissal, race and age discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. The case was heard over five days in a hybrid hearing at London South Employment Tribunal. Reasons for the tribunal's decision were given orally at the hearing.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed all of Mrs Iwobi's claims, finding them not well-founded. All claims for detriment, automatic unfair dismissal, direct discrimination on grounds of race and age, harassment related to race and age, and victimisation were rejected.

Practical note

A self-represented claimant bringing multiple claims including whistleblowing, discrimination and harassment was unsuccessful on all grounds against an education sector employer represented by counsel.

Case details

Case number
2303791/2024
Decision date
28 November 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
5
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
education
Represented
Yes
Rep type
barrister

Claimant representation

Represented
No