A TEACHER has been reprimanded for her part in an exam cheating scandal at Little Lever School.

French teacher Kate Darlington was one of three language staff suspended following allegations that teachers had helped pupils to pass GCSEs by assisting them in the oral exam.

All three resigned from the school following the claims in summer 2009.

Miss Darlington, who lives in Bury, gave pupils exam questions ahead of time in a “revision” booklet she put together. She was found guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” by the General Teaching Council’s Professional Conduct Committee (GTC).

It found that she produced two revision booklets for GCSE French pupils to use in preparation for their examinations which copied the exact wording of questions from her confidential Examiner’s Booklet.

The GTC ruling stated: “Having found the facts of the allegation proved, we further find that Miss Darlington’s actions amount to unacceptable professional conduct. She had admitted this.”

It added: “While we had evidence that the actions of Miss Darlington had a serious impact on pupils — a number had to re-sit the relevant examinations —and that her actions did not occur accidentally, she admitted what she had done, has shown insight into her failings, and has expressed what we believe to be genuine remorse.”

In her written mitigation, Miss Darlington described the pressure she had been under during the examinations and cited a lack of support from managers. The GTC said evidence showed that her health had suffered.

The ruling continued: “Miss Darlington is regarded as a good teacher and clearly has a lot to offer. We therefore concluded that in the circumstances, a reprimand would be sufficient to protect the public and would balance the interests of the teacher with the public interest.”

Philip Hewitt, head teacher of Little Lever, said: “We are glad to see the matter resolved and pleased that the former member of staff can put the issue behind them.

There have been a number of significant changes at the school since this issue arose, and we are now a rapidly improving school, as we will hopefully be able to show in the years to come.”