An English teacher who converted to Islam when she joined a Muslim faith school said she was "horrified" when the owner asked questions about her virginity, a tribunal was told yesterday.

Monique Buckner, a 33-year-old South African, of Barnes Road, Oxford, said that the school boss also told her he would marry her if he was 20 years younger.

The teacher, who is suing the Iqra School, in Oxford, for racial discrimination, claimed that married father-of-five Hojjat Ramzy asked whether she was a virgin when the pair were alone in the school office.

She told the tribunal in Reading in a statement that Mr Ramzy told her that if he were younger, he would marry her. "This disgusted me as I considered Mr Ramzy to be a pious Muslim whom I trusted and respected," she said.

She had recognised English teaching qualifications and is claiming three breaches of the Employment Act - unpaid wages, holiday pay and notice pay.

Miss Buckner said she met Mr Ramzy in early 2005 at his Islamic information stall in Cornmarket Street, and that after meeting him on several occasions she decided to follow his advice and convert to Islam.

Ms Buckner, who was teaching English at Bicester Community College, said she told Mr Ramzy she would have to return to South Africa as her contract was to end and her work permit would expire.

She said she was delighted when he and his wife, Maryam, school head of admin, offered her a job teaching English.

Soon after she began working full-time, Ms Buckner said she was "horrified" to receive a pay slip showing she was to earn £20 a day. She said the other teachers at the school were paid at least £10 per hour. Arthur James, representing the school, said Ms Buckner was only ever employed as a volunteer.

"Iqra School's work permit application to the Home Office, which was completed by the headteacher and Mrs Ramzy and signed by Mr Ramzy, clearly states my full-time status," Ms Buckner said She complained about her pay to Mr Ramzy who then gave her a £60 a day wages rise, but a week later, Ms Buckner said she was amazed when Mr Ramzy gave her a letter saying that her teaching hours were being reduced to just five a week.

"In this way, he forced me out of my job, as I could not survive on five hour's worth of work per week," she said.

Ms Buckner said she had ignored Mr Ramzy after the "embarrassing" conversation about her virginity.

Under cross-examination from Ms Buckner, representing herself, Mrs Ramzy said she and her husband helped her fill in the work permit application "as a favour" to help her remain in this country.

"We were trying to help," she said. "We felt duty-bound to help a fellow Muslim. This is our job."

Tribunal chairman Robin Lewis said the panel would have to decide whether Ms Buckner had the status of an employee.

The tribunal was adjourned until November 1 when it is will hear evidence from Mr Ramzy.