A former teacher at Newland House School has claimed she was unfairly dismissed and subjected to sexual discrimination after allegedly calling a colleague a “batty boy”.

Morwenna Wilson, of Mill Hill, claimed at the London South Employment Tribunal on Tuesday that she had been subject of a “witch hunt” because she is a woman.

The former head of drama's witness statement contained a string of allegations against the Twickenham independent school and headteacher David Alexander.

Detailing the alleged “macho” culture at the school from 2010 until her dismissal, her statement said: “I noticed male members of staff were allowed to use offensive phrases such as ‘see you next Tuesday’ and ‘batty boy’.

“Ironically, I was later dismissed for being alleged to have said this although I do not recall saying it, nor does my witness.

“In short, I was picked on and singled out and degraded for petty things by the headmaster [Mr Alexander] - unacceptable behaviour of males was ignored.”

The incident when Ms Wilson was alleged to have called fellow teacher Patrick Dorrian occurred on February 14, 2013, while she was under investigation on a different matter.

In his witness statement, Mr Dorrian said he walked over to join in a conversation Ms Wilson was having with head of games, Nick Rothwell, about her perception of sexism at the school and a golf weekend organised for staff to which no women were invited.

He said: “I walked over and agreed with Mr Rothwell that there was no boys' club in relation to golf at the school and she was being unreasonable about the golf weekend, which was a private event.

“I was trying to talk some reason into the argument and did not use any offensive language.

“The claimant [Ms Wilson] responded by putting her hand up in front of my face to dismiss me and stated 'he is nothing but David’s little batty boy’.”

Mr Dorrian reported the incident to the headteacher before making a written statement about what he claimed happened.

In her statement, Ms Wilson said: “I dispute I ever said it. However, men had been using this phrase and worse in any event and nothing had ever been done to them.

“This is another example of harassment on the grounds of sex and sex discrimination.”

At the time, Ms Wilson was being investigated after a parent made a complaint claiming she had told a parent that their child “brings out the demon in her”.

Mr Alexander said in his statement: “My view was, if accurate, this was unbefitting character for a teacher.”

The school has denied any wrongdoing and insists it has acted properly throughout Ms Wilson's disciplinary investigation.

A spokesman said: “The school has taken and acted on professional advice throughout and strenuously denies all claims made against it and the headmaster.

“The claimant has conducted herself in an entirely unreasonable way throughout this process and it is very unfortunate that this legal dispute has taken up considerable time and resource of a number of senior staff and governors of this very successful school.”

The tribunal continues.