Ex-head accused of faking test marks

THE retired headteacher of an outstanding school falsified national test scores to appear better than they were, allowed teachers to see papers before they were sat and gave pupils extra time to complete them, former colleagues claim.

Helen Lester, who retired as head of Saundersfoot Community Primary in 2015, faces an Education Workforce Council fitness to practise committee hearing over national test results taken by Year Three and Four pupils in 2014 and 2015.

Mrs Lester, who was also a registered Estyn school inspector who mentored other heads in Pembrokeshire, denies all allegations made against her, the hearing in Cardiff was told.

An investigation was launched by Pembrokeshire County Council after concerns were raised under whistleblowing procedures about test scores at the school, which was rated the highest possible double excellent by Estyn in 2011.

Scores from national tests are among measures used to rank schools in Wales.

The hearing was told that Mrs Lester confronted a teacher over her results, saying extra marks could be found but warned her not to report the conversation because she could “be sacked or go to prison”.

Assistant headteacher Janet Lloyd said when she retrieved pupils’ test papers from a locked cupboard she found they had been re-marked with higher results.

She told the hearing she believed Mrs Lester had altered results on some papers and on the internal electronic system. Marks had been made on papers with a mechanical pen, similar to one Mrs Lester used.

Mrs Lloyd also said the retired headteacher had also told teachers they could look at test papers days before they were sat, took Year Six pupils to another room to sit tests under her supervision and gave some pupils extra time.

Richard Edwards, an auditor from Pembrokeshire County Council who was brought into investigate, said concerns were raised after Mr Allen took over as head and year four scores were reviewed.

When he spoke to Mrs Lester in March 2017 she was “very upset” and told him she was resigning from all her education posts.

“She was generally trying to provide explanation but on occasion clouded the issue. On occasion she provided contrary evidence,” Mr Edwards said,

Mrs Lester denies all the allegations. The hearing continues. Estyn confirmed Mrs Lester was a registered inspector “but is not currently active”.