THE headteacher of a primary school in Sutton Leach has been banned from the classroom for life after being found guilty of deliberate dishonesty when carrying out national phonics tests.

A disciplinary panel imposed the ban on Paul Lock, 51, on behalf of Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

Mr Lock joined the Leach Lane school in September 2014 and the actions leading to the ban occurred on June 18, 2015 when three members of staff saw him re-screening pupils for phonics in a corridor.

After the actions were reported to St Helens Council, the head was suspended and resigned on September 9, 2015.

He admitted wilfully failing to comply with national curriculum assessments in relation to phonic screening; unprofessionally re-screening children at the school and in doing so undermining the school's testing regime; and acting dishonestly.

As a result of his behaviour, some 40 pupils' test results had to be scrapped.

The National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel which heard his case in Coventry on June 27 found that he was guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct" which could "bring the teaching profession into disrepute".

His actions were said to breach three teachers' standards.

Imposing the ban Jayne Millions, the NCTL's head of teacher misconduct, said: "This was a very serious case of maladministration. Mr Lock's conduct has had a serious impact on pupils, and fundamentally affected the education of pupils by undermining the integrity of the testing regime."

She said: "Mr Paul Lock is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Lock shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."

In many cases dealt with by the NCTL bans are imposed but provision is put in place for the teacher concerned to seek to have the ban lifted after a number of years. However, in this case Ms Millions said: "Taking into account the guidance and all other matters I support the recommendation of the panel that there should be no review period. This was serious dishonesty in a school setting."

Mr Lock has 28 days from the decision date to challenge the decision in the High Court.