The man at the centre of a grievance against a primary school principal should not practice a scorched earth policy against the school, a group of teachers claimed this week.

They were responding to former teacher Mark Collins after he said he and his wife quit Victor Scott Primary because of the "toxic atmosphere'' and suggested registration was down for September.

The women said they wanted Mr. Collins to stop disparaging the school and consider the record of principal Esme Trott.

Mr. Collins quit the school in December after six teachers filed a grievance.

Three teachers remain there while The Royal Gazette understands one has moved to Dellwood Primary.

Recently the Attorney General's Chambers declared the grievance null and void which prompted the six to redraw their demands and submit them back to the Ministry of Education. The disgruntled teachers claimed Mrs. Trott's policies impeded their ability to teach and that she was disrespectful.

But speaking on condition of anonymity, the three teachers said the school had produced many current and future leaders and, while it may be next door to a former dump, it did not have a toxic atmosphere.

"Victor Scott school is a school of excellence,'' one woman said.

"It's about teaching and learning there and, contrary to what Mr. Collins said last week, there is nothing toxic about what and the way we teach.

"While there may be concern about this grievance,'' she continued, "that is not what we concentrate on day to day. We should be concerned about the success of our school.'' When asked about the nature of the grievance, the teacher said: "I think it has to do with the differences in accepting positive criticism and acceptance of correction that is part of developing one's teaching skills.

"Possibly there is a fear of constructive criticism being construed as incompetence and not of growth,'' she said. "Mrs. Trott is firm but fair. She has maintained an open door policy since day one.'' The women described Mrs. Trott as "God fearing'' and said she "demands excellence'' from teachers and students and encourages parents to meet with her over their concerns.

"There are more than 30 teachers at Victor Scott and only six have a grievance,'' another teacher noted.

"There are a lot of dynamic teachers who spend long hours dedicating themselves to increasing the performance of their students.

"He was only there for two months! He has no stake or loyalty to the school or to the multi-cultural community which it serves but we don't want to be telling him not to slander the school and then bring him down.'' She added: "Victor Scott is a good school and somebody should say that. Mrs.

Trott listens to everyone and arbitrates meetings between parent and teacher so that everyone is satisfied.

"When they say she belittles and demeans people and all those other nasty words, they have to think about the process she uses,'' the teacher added.

Another interjected: "I would ask him how does he justify slandering the institution in the name of winning a grievance? "Since Mrs. Trott came in four years ago, there is an improved appearance in the school and pride from the students. You can see that in the way they wear their uniforms.'' She continued: "Registration is up since then and it is still up now. We are one of the few primary schools with three streams in primary one. People should come in and see for themselves what this school is about.''