Head is ‘saddened’ by exam claim

CAROL CAWKWELL . . . “saddened by claims”

PUPILS at a school being investigated for exam irregularities will receive their GCSE results as normal on August 27.

Carol Cawkwell, head teacher at Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport, has reassured pupils and parents following allegations of malpractice in this year’s exams.

And she added that she is saddened at the anonymous claim,

As reported in the Oldham Evening Chronicle, the exam boards AQA and Edexcel are investigating a complaint that students were taken out of the exam hall to a separate room without an invigilator.

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

Mrs Cawkwell issued a statement through Oldham Council which does not contain a denial of the allegations and refers to one exam board rather than two.

It said: “I can confirm that an anonymous allegation about examination malpractice has been made and that I have been asked by the examination board to investigate.

“The investigation will be completed when school re-opens in September and I wish to reassure all involved that this will not effect the publication of results.

“I am personally saddened that someone should feel the need to make such an allegation at a time when staff and students are working so hard to produce good results.”

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.

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