School now accused of cheating

A SCHOOL already hit by claims that its attendance figures were altered, is now being investigated for exam irregularities.

The exam boards AQA and Edexcel have confirmed that they have received complaints about Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport.

This follows an allegation that pupils were removed from exam rooms at the Bellfield Avenue school this summer.

It is claimed that students were taken into a separate room without an impartial invigilator, and when the invigilator attempted to enter the room he was sent away by the teacher.

It is also alleged that at least one child was helped with planning an essay.

There are fears that the investigations could impact on Hathershaw’s results and its GCSE league table position.

The school has around 1,000 pupils aged between 11 and 16.

The Chronicle has been unable to contact head teacher Carol Cawkwell or chairman of governors Basit Shah. Councillors Jean Jones and Atteque Ur Rehman, both governors, say that they were unaware of the allegations.

These latest allegations come after the suspension of deputy head Margaret Southwood and assistant head teacher Martin Turner amid a separate probe into irregularities in attendance figures.

Mrs Southwood is said to have left Hathershaw College last term after a substantial pay-off.

Last year, 63 per cent of Hathershaw pupils gained at least five A* to C GCSE grades. The figure fell to 28 per cent including English and maths, below the Government’s 30 per cent target.

Both its absence and persistent absence rate — missing 20 per cent of lessons — were among the worst in Oldham.

A spokesman for AQA confirmed that it had received an allegation.

Her counterpart at Edexcel said: “We can confirm we have received an allegation about the centre in question and we will be investigating it.”

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, added: “We have had no formal notification of any issues being raised concerning allegations of poor practice in examinations at Hathershaw.”

Hathershaw is hoping to become the borough’s first school to form a charitable trust. This would see it link up with Broadfield, Holy Rosary and St Martin’s primary schools, Oldham Sixth Form College, NHS Oldham, Oldham Athletic Community Trust and John Moores University.