A SOUTH Lakeland primary school head teacher has resigned after investigations into an alleged exam cheat were concluded.

Parents of Cartmel C of E Primary School were told Sarah Firth had handed in her resignation and the organisation would be looking for a replacement.

The news came three days after the Aynsome Road school revealed a probe into claims mental maths and spelling SATs papers had been altered following exams last year had concluded.

It is believed the voluntary controlled school has been under the leadership of acting head teacher Jo Procter since the beginning of this academic year when Mrs Firth was signed off sick.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Carlisle said: “The governors would like to thank Mrs Firth for her commitment to the school during her seven years as head teacher, a time when the school saw great improvement in performance.”

Investigations began after 2014’s May exams were annulled by the Government Standards Testing Agency (STA) which found some pupils’ answers had been changed after tests were finished.

The STA conducted its own investigation into the administration of the Key Stage 2 exams, but at the beginning of October governors asked Capita to conduct a review into the allegations.

Alluding to difficulties with the school’s 2014 SATs papers, a letter from the governing body informed parents the investigation had taken place and changes would be made accordingly.

“The independent investigation, together with advice from the Local Authority, has identified areas for improvement relating to control procedures for SATs papers,” it stated. “Process improvements have now been put in place that will safeguard the integrity of future exam papers and the school’s teaching staff and leadership team will be trained in the revised procedures.”

In the letter dated March 23, it added no further action is possible.

It is believed the findings of the report will not be made public.

The Gazette contacted school governor the Rev Nick Devenish on a number of occasions but he was unavailable for comment.

And despite the ‘difficult and worrying episode’, parents have stood by the school from the beginning.

Peter Unsworth, whose daughter attends the school, said: “It’s an excellent school, a good place with fantastic staff and the temporary head teacher has done a good job.”