Politics · United Kingdom · 20 hrs ago
Governors quit after hospital school head is removed to end strike
Almost all governors at a London hospital school have resigned after its headteacher was removed.
The Children's Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCLH teaches children who are too ill to attend their usual schools.
The National Education Union held 61 days of strikes last academic year amid a dispute involving claims of bullying, union victimisation and unsafe working practices.
The governors said they still had confidence in headteacher Neela Moorghen, who was appointed in 2024, and felt their decisions had been overruled.
A deal was reached to end the dispute and create a basis for reinstating staff and rebuilding relationships.
The strikes disrupted lessons for children receiving treatment for serious illnesses, making the dispute especially consequential for pupils and families.
Camden Council has appointed two new governors to help steady the school.
Governors at The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCLH have resigned in protest after the headteacher was removed.
They said they still had confidence in headteacher Neela Moorghen, who was removed as part of a deal to end a dispute with the National Education Union.
The union had held 61 days of strike action, disrupting education for children being treated in hospital.
The union and the school said an agreement would provide a basis for reinstating staff and rebuilding relationships.
Camden Council appointed two new governors to help steady the school.
- Who
- All but one of the school’s governors resigned. The dispute involved headteacher Neela Moorghen and the National Education Union.
- What
- Governors quit in protest after Moorghen was removed in a deal intended to end the union dispute.
- When
- The governors’ resignations were reported on 7 November 2026. The deal was announced the previous day.
- Where
- The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCLH in London.
- Why
- The governors said their decisions had been overruled to improve relations with the union, despite their continued confidence in Moorghen.
The National Education Union
The school’s governors
Trade union dispute
The National Education Union
The union accused the school of trade union victimisation, bullying, unsafe working practices and a toxic workplace culture.
The school’s governors
The governors said they continued to have confidence in Moorghen and that their decisions had been overruled to smooth relations with the union.
Neela Moorghen was appointed headteacher.
The NEU held 12 weeks of teacher strikes at the school.
The school announced Moorghen’s departure.
The school and the NEU announced an agreement to resolve the dispute.
The governors’ mass resignation was reported.
- Governors resigning
- All but one of the governing body
- School
- The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCLH
- Headteacher
- Neela Moorghen
- Strike action
- 61 days
- New governors
- Sir Robin Bosher and Helene Reardon-Bond
What people are saying
This decision has not been taken lightly or in haste.
We care deeply about the school, its pupils, families and staff, and it has been a privilege to serve its community.
Agreement has been reached to resolve the current dispute.
We recognise the impact that the dispute has had on staff, pupils and families, and we are committed to learning from this experience.