A physics technician is suing a top boarding school after claiming she was told women should "stay at home in the kitchen".

Hannah Miller, 38, says she was left to feel isolated and humiliated at Tonbridge School, where she worked from January 2005 to June 2014.

During her time working in the physics department, she claims she was verbally abused by pupils and given less pay than the male teachers.

The private £35,000-a-year boarding school, whose former pupils include members of the band Keane and author Frederick Forsyth, caters for 780 boys aged between 13 and 18.

The school denies the claims.

At the employment tribunal in Ashford this week, Miss Miller spoke of an incident on September 24, 2013.

In her statement, she said: "On walking into a classroom taught by one of the physics masters, I overheard the comment that 'women shouldn't be in science, they should stay at home in the kitchen'.

"I thought initially that it was the master, Dr Steven Chalk, who had said this, although he told me later that it was a pupil.

"Dr Chalk tried to laugh the comment off but the class clearly enjoyed this comment, which seemed to be at my expense and acted in an unruly manner.

"I felt absolutely humiliated and isolated... Pupils would trip me up, slam doors in my face and behave in an abusive and aggressive manner toward me..." - Hannah Miller

"I felt absolutely humiliated and isolated. Dr Chalk did not appear to be disappointed in his class for their behaviour.

"The pupil was asked to apologise to me at a later date but this was not an isolated incident.

"Pupils would trip me up, slam doors in my face and behave in an abusive and aggressive manner toward me.

"I have been shouted at in front of pupils and told to f*** off by students.

"I have never witnessed this sort of behaviour towards any male member of staff."

She added that some years ago, a physics teacher stated in her presence in his classroom, 'You should never have women in physics, I would never hire one'.

Miss Miller said she made complaints which fell on deaf ears and was worried she was being "over sensitive" and taking "banter" too seriously.

The technician said she felt "insulted and bullied" by the school bursar after he declared her stress was down to her personal life and financial difficulties, which was not true.

She added: "Since leaving my job at Tonbridge School and despite my income dropping considerably, I have not been suffering with stress at all and have not needed to visit the doctor or take any medication for stress.

"It is clear that my stress was caused by my work at Tonbridge School."

Miss Miller claims another technician in the same role as her, Mr Matthew Newlands, received more money than her despite doing the same jobs and joining the school months after she did.

But Tonbridge School said Mr Newlands was more qualified and started his job as a qualified technician whereas Miss Miller started as a trainee.

It was also stated that Miss Miller was only working on a part-time basis, and therefore received less money.

Miss Miller received £14.50 per hour and cancelled her contract on June 4 last year. Mr Newlands' salary has not been revealed.

He stated that his relationship with Miss Miller was good and they were "comfortable around each other in work and in social settings".

In a statement, headteacher Timothy Haynes said: "It was unfortunate that the claimant felt she had to resign from her position and I know that the bursar and other colleagues had been hoping to resolve the situation with her so that she could return to her role.

"Whilst I did not know her well and had not had any dealing of substance with her, I was aware that she had been a valued member of the sciences team and would have been welcomed back had she not resigned."

Miss Miller is claiming sexual discrimination, constructive dismissal and equal pay.

The tribunal, which is expected to last two days, continues.