A TEACHER suffered a breakdown because of working conditions at a Malvern school, an industrial tribunal heard.

Anne Patrick claims she developed a stress-induced illness while working at Dyson Perrins CE High School.

The religious education teacher, who lives in Worcester, joined the school in 1984. But she last worked there in June 2003 and has not been able to return since.

At the tribunal, which opened in Birmingham, Mrs Patrick's barrister said she had she had suffered a "breakdown".

"She did not leave work because of a risk - she stayed, she worked, she fell ill," he added. "There's evidence of the school governors' failure to act."

But a barrister defending the school's governing board said that argument ignored agreements on sick pay. He described the claimant's approach as "a shot in the dark".

Under Worcestershire County Council's policy, Mrs Patrick was off sick on full pay for six months, half pay for another six months and after that, unpaid.

Mrs Patrick's case comes under employment rights law which says anyone faced with a situation of imminent danger to their health is allowed to remove themselves until the danger is dealt with.

"That does not exclude dangers to mental health and therefore Mrs Patrick is entitled to stay away until the cause of the stress has been remedied," said Tony Bertin, Mrs Patrick's solicitor, before the hearing.

The tribunal decided to reserve judgement.

The hearing was adjourned and it will be at least 42 days before the case is resumed.