Former headteacher banned for falsifying results at South Yorkshire school

A former headteacher has been struck off for falsifying results at a South Yorkshire school.
Simon Pringle has banned from teaching for at least two yearsSimon Pringle has banned from teaching for at least two years
Simon Pringle has banned from teaching for at least two years

Simon Pringle, who held the top job at Brinsworth Manor Junior School, in Rotherham, inserted false grades in an attempt to convince inspectors that pupils' progress was better than in reality.

The 58-year-old was banned from teaching for at least two years following a hearing by the National College for Teaching and Leadership's professional conduct panel.

Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)
Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)
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He admitted four counts of misconduct, including ignoring the concerns of staff who had been instructed to prepare false data.

Mr Pringle was headteacher at the school for more than four years before being suspended in summer 2015 when allegations of his dishonesty emerged.

He resigned with immediate effect that September, following an investigation by the school.

The panel heard how in autumn 2014, he had instructed staff to prepare data about their pupils' progress for a visiting inspector.

Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)
Simon Pringle was headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School for more than four years (Google)
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"We need progress to be at least 1 (on a scale of 1 to 2) for your class/set in each subject – a shade over this would be ideal," read his instructions, sent on the day the data was expected to be produced.

The panel concluded following a hearing held between January 24-26 that Mr Pringle's conduct 'fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession'.

He was prohibited from teaching indefinitely and prevented from applying for that ban to be lifted for at least two years, in a decision made on January 31 and published this week.

Jayne Millions, who made the ruling on behalf of education secretary Justine Greening, wrote: "I agree with the panel’s view that a headteacher who is perceived by the public as providing false information to bodies such as Ofsted and Her Majesty's Inspectorate would have a negative impact on that individual's status as a member of the teaching profession.

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"I also agree with the panel’s conclusion that the findings of misconduct are serious, and the conduct displayed would likely have a negative impact on the individual’s status as a teacher, potentially damaging the public perception."

Vicky Helliwell, executive headteacher at Brinsworth Manor Junior School, said: "I became aware of issues in the reporting of school data after I took up post as executive head at the school in April 2015. I suspended Mr Pringle and reported the issue to the local authority.

"He has now been given a prohibition order following an investigating by the National College, which means he can no longer teach. He left the school on September 30, 2015 and has not had contact with any member of staff or pupils since he was suspended in July 2015.

"I want to assure parents and carers that there has been no adverse impact on children’s education or teaching."

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