A deputy head of a Bolton primary school has been let off by his official watchdog after changing answers on his students' maths exams.
John Karl Pugh, who was working at the Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School at the time, amended answers on his Year 5 pupils' end-of-year tests during the 2017-18 academic year.
The Teaching Regulation Agency found that Mr Pugh's conduct 'fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession'.
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However, it was decided that a ban on him teaching would not be proportionate or in the public interest.
Evidence from his colleagues at the Astley Bridge school showed that he is “not only an outstanding classroom teacher but also a dedicated and selfless school leader“.
The hearing heard that concerns were first raised in June 2017 over the accuracy of the end-of-year assessment results.
In June 2018, all of the Year 5 assessment papers were reviewed.
It was noted that some maths papers marked by Mr Pugh appeared to contain alterations to the pupils' answers.
He had two more papers left to mark, copies of which were taken before they were handed to Mr Pugh. These were reviewed again after Mr Pugh had marked them, where it was found answers had been altered and added to the papers.
My Pugh was then informed that an investigation would take place into an allegation that he had falsified results.
Despite initially denying it, Mr Pugh admitted he had changed 'one or more' answers for 'one of more' of his Year 5 pupils.
It was heard that he did this 'in his own hand after the examination had concluded'.
He either added in answers where the pupils had left the questions blank or amended the pupils' incorrect answers.
Mr Pugh accepted that what he did amounted to 'unacceptable professional conduct' that may 'bring the profession into disrepute'.
“In short, he cheated. In the panel's view, this is a serious departure from the high standards of ethics and behaviour expected of a teacher,“ the hearing heard.
Sarah Buxcey, a decision maker on behalf of Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, ruled Mr Pugh should not be prohibited from teaching in future.
She said: ”A prohibition order would also clearly deprive the public of his contribution to the profession for the period that it is in force.
”It was evident to the panel that Mr Pugh showed true remorse, and fully appreciated the impact his misconduct could have had on pupils, his school, his colleagues and headteacher, and the profession as a whole.
”The panel found his evidence about this to be open, honest, reflective and straightforward. The panel concluded that Mr Pugh had a clear understanding of his wrongdoing,” she added.
Mr Pugh was deputy headteacher at the Holy Infant & St Anthony RC Primary School from September 2008 until September 2018.
