York head teacher suspended as inquiry is launched on pupils’ exams

The action against Michael Schofield was taken after the Qualification Curriculum Development Agency began an inquiry into procedures at Haxby Road Primary School.

The Year 6 Sats tests in English, maths and science, were conducted on final year pupils in May.

A temporary head teacher, Martin Eldred, is understood to have been asked to take over at the school temporarily.

Jill Hodges, assistant director of education at City of York Council, said Mr Schofield’s suspension was not a disciplinary sanction.

She said: “At the request of the school’s governing body an independent investigation is being carried out into whether there has been any maladministration relating to the Year 6 tests at Haxby Road Primary School.

“As a result of the continuing investigation the head teacher of Haxby Road Primary School has been placed on a precautionary suspension from duty whilst the investigation is concluded. This is not a disciplinary sanction.”

She added: “We appreciate that this is a difficult situation for staff, parents and children and we are working closely with the school’s governing body to keep parents fully informed of developments.”

Haxby Road School has 224 pupils. An Ofsted report in May rated it “satisfactory” but noted that pupil attainment was low.

The report said: “Over time attainment has been low but effective action to monitor the progress of pupils and to set them challenging targets is now having a strong impact on pupils’ performance.”

It added: “Too few more-able pupils are attaining the higher levels in national assessment tests.”

The Qualification Curriculum Development Agency defines maladministration as “any act which could jeopardise the integrity, security or confidentiality of the tests, or produced results not reflected the unaided work of pupils”.