A PRIMARY school teacher has failed in her bid to sue her employers after she claimed she was forced to resign when told she could not work part-time after having a baby.

Ruth Wright, 34, wanted to reduce her full-time hours at Drove Primary School in Swindon, so she could spend more time with her newborn baby.

She told an employment tribunal in Bristol that she was falsely promised work by headteacher Nicholas Cap-stick.

Mrs Wright, from Meysey Hampton, near Cirencester, said she asked Mr Capstick if she could work part-time after her child was born.

She said he refused but promised she would receive three days work a week when she returned to teaching as a supply teacher, if she chose to resign from her full-time position.

On this basis Mrs Wright, who had worked at the school for two years, went ahead.

She then handed in her resignation on June 27, 2003.

But when she rang the school after completing maternity leave she was horrified to discover there was no supply work available as promised.

The married mother-of-one claimed that, prior to her maternity leave, she was ignored and criticised by Mr Capstick and this was for no reason.

She said: "Due to my treatment at the school I have lost confidence in my abilities as a teacher. I was not made to feel involved."

Mr Capstick denied he ever guaranteed Ruth work as a supply teacher.

Explaining his decision not to offer her part-time work, Mr Capstick said: "Part-time work would be difficult.

"It wouldn't be in our best interests.

"We couldn't meet her request for a job share or part-time position."

Mrs Wright was suing Drove Primary School and Swindon Borough Council for unfair dismissal but the tribunal found she was not unfairly dismissed.