Teacher altered pupils' work 'in a blind panic'

SHE AVOIDS BAN AFTER HEARING INTO MISCONDUCT

- By KALI LINDSAY

A DEPUTY headteacher who altered pupils’ coursework has avoided a ban.

Joanna Walker-Maxey was deputy headteacher at Norham High School, North Shields, when she allegedly altered one or more pupils’ coursework between April and May 2022.

A teacher misconduct hearing heard Ms Walker-Maxey admitted her conduct was dishonest and admitted she was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

The hearing was told Ms Walker-Maxey had been employed at the school since 2019 as deputy headteacher.

The panel was told she was responsible for administering the non-examination assessments, as part of OCR Cambridge Nationals Child Development course taught at the school. Between April and May 2022, it was alleged that Ms Walker-Maxey had altered one or more pupils’ coursework after it was presented for assessment.