Wolverhampton headteacher suspended over 'early exam' claims

The headteacher of a Wolverhampton school has been suspended and an investigation launched amid claims a student was allowed to sit an exam the night before his classmates.

Questions have been raised about exam conduct at Moreton School in Bushbury.

Among the allegations is that a pupil was allowed to sit a test the night before the rest of his class due to an upcoming holiday.

Headteacher Carl Williams has been suspended without prejudice while an independent investigation takes place. An acting headteacher has been appointed.

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Wolverhampton City Council's director of education, Dr James McElligott, said: "We are working closely with the school to resolve this matter and will fully support the independent investigation into these allegations."

Parents have contacted the Express & Star raising a number of concerns about exam practices at Moreton, which used to be known as the 'zoo on the hill' due to pupils' unruly behaviour.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said there were worries about cheating.

He said: "My son is one of the pupils currently taking his exams. Not only does he come home bragging about the cheating, but I overhear him laughing and joking about it with friends.

"My son knows of three people who have attended out of school hours to sit exams that they would otherwise have missed. One was a science paper where a student was allowed to sit it one evening before everyone else. He was going on holiday."

In the most recent secondary school league tables, Moreton was 15th in Wolverhampton, with 38 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A*- C grades, including English and maths.

Rob Hewer, governing board chairman, said: "We take allegations of this nature very seriously and the headteacher has been suspended without prejudice, as per statutory procedure, so that an independent investigation into the matter can be conducted quickly and efficiently.

"The governing board will support the independent investigation, and while it is under way it would be inappropriate to comment further.

"The welfare of our pupils is of paramount importance and we have appointed an acting headteacher internally, who will be fully supported by Wolverhampton City Council with additional support as needed from a neighbouring serving headteacher to minimise any impact on the students at Moreton School."