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Head teacher at Whitehill Primary School, Gravesend, at centre of new exam storm

After a TV exposé into exam cheating, which focused on a Gravesend primary school, we can reveal that another set of school results were disallowed under the same head teacher.

Exam chiefs launched an investigation at Whitehill Primary School last summer, with “a number of” tests scrapped as a result due to “maladministration”.

It comes a week after a series of allegations against Kings Farm primary school featured in a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, which suggested cheating was rife across the education system from primaries to universities.

Jane Porter is up for a disciplinary hearing
Jane Porter is up for a disciplinary hearing

A spokeswoman for the Standards and Testing Agency, the exam regulator for primary schools, said: “Following an investigation into the administration of 2014 Key Stage 2 tests at Whitehill Primary School, a decision was made to annul a number of children’s level 3-5 reading test results and also some level 6 reading test results.

“Any instances of maladministration of the tests are completely unacceptable.”

At the time both schools were led by head teacher Jane Porter.

Mrs Porter declined to comment on the investigation when approached by the Messenger.

She left her post at Kings Farm in September. It came after protests against her leadership, which have continued in the role at Whitehill.

Dozens of parents waved placards calling for her resignation over claims – including the axing of PE lessons and sports day, loss of support for special needs children and increasing classroom sizes because 22 teachers had quit.

Emails seen by the Messenger revealed that staff at Kings Farm called for the suspension of Mrs Porter two months before her departure.

In a note addressed to chairman of governors Mandy Cartwright, accusations about the leadership style of Mrs Porter and senior leaders were raised, suggesting it contributed to 25 staff members departing in just six months.

Parents protested against the decisions made by head teacher Jane Porter at Kings Farm Primary School
Parents protested against the decisions made by head teacher Jane Porter at Kings Farm Primary School

It reads: “Staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

“High levels of staff well- being and a positive atmosphere are essential for a productive and efficient workplace.

“The staff live in perpetual fear and in a thoroughly unhealthy working environment where the executive head feels it appropriate to roar and publically humiliate staff if she is dissatisfied.

“They are not going to be able to provide the best for the children, and their own health will be at risk.”

Kent County Council declined to comment on the investigation.

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