A HEADTEACHER was jailed today for changing pupils’ exam answers because he thought they had more ability than they showed.

Sentencing Alan Mercer to three months, Judge Keith Simpson said some people might think that it was very much too short.

He added: “The damage that can be done by this sort of activity should never be underestimated. If others behaved in that way the whole system would be utterly destroyed -- and that cannot happen.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard that as head of South Borough Primary School in Maidstone he made alterations to two 11-plus papers and 10 Key Stage 2 SATS tests in January and May last year.

Mercer, 46, also changed two other SATS exams at Eythorne and Elvington Primary School, near Dover, in May 2000.

Simon Wickens, prosecuting, said after exams were taken at South Borough it appeared that some answers had not been written by pupils. It was confirmed by forensic tests.

An investigation by Kent County Council showed that the papers had been changed to the pupil’s advantage.

Suspicion led to Mercer but he maintained his innocence. The police were informed and he was arrested on October 16 last year.

He said he would not help students because it would undermine their good work and give a false record of what they were capable of.

Just over a month later he requested another interview and admitted making the alterations. He did it, he said, because he could see that children were making insufficient progress.

“I thought by doing that it would give them a better chance at secondary school,” he said. He also thought it would improve school morale.

Mercer further admitted altering two exam papers at Eythorne and Elvington school.

Mr Wickens said the impact on South Borough included having to employ a new head teacher at a higher salary to maintain his commitment and putting remaining staff under strain.

The school was also considering employing independent exam invigilators at extra expense. The school lost reputation because of the adverse publicity.

Mr Wickens said the annulment of the results put the school at the bottom of the league table, which could have an effect on the number of pupils and staff if they continued to dwindle.

Mercer, of Prospect Row, Brompton, Gillingham, admitted 14 forgery charges and asked for 140 other offences to be considered.

Neil Saunders, defending, said for over 20 years Mercer was a dedicated, gifted and well-respected teacher.

“Until these matters came to light, he was a credit to his profession,” he said.

He had left a well-paid career in computer programming to become a teacher because he wanted to give children a start.

Mercer became head teacher of Elvington school in January 1994, giving it firm and proper recognition, said Mr Saunders. He admitted altering two exam papers there in 2000 and 2001.

He did it at a time when his sister had died, aged 38, and just before that his father, aged 73. A 10-year relationship had also ended.

“These factors he now believes not only affected his judgement, but he felt more isolated, unable to share many of his concerns and worries outside school,” said Mr Saunders.

He moved to South Borough in September 2001 and in the early part of last year altered papers.

“By May the pressure on him had become immense,” said Mr Saunders.

He took exam papers home and decided to alter answers. There was no question of suspicion falling on others, said Mr Saunders.

“He wishes to apologise to the children, their parents and colleagues,” he said. “He never intended to cause any suffering. It was quite the opposite. It was to benefit those children who hadn’t performed well.”

His motive was not financial as he was living comfortably and within his means. Since leaving teaching, he had obtained an administrative job earning £8,000 a year and working two night shifts a week at a petrol station.

“He has finished in teaching,” said Mr Saunders, “He will never return. He has lost his good name and reputation.”

The lawyer submitted that Mercer could either be given a community penalty or a suspended sentence.

But Judge Simpson told Mercer: “This is so serious that an immediate custodial sentence is required. What you did was not isolated activity. Had it been restricted to the previous school, that would have been quite a different matter.

“You may or may not agree with the system of tests and assessments but Parliament lays down the law of the land and it must be observed.”

The judge said it had to be made clear that if anybody behaved in such a fashion, however good the motive, they must expect to be dealt with in a serious way.

“It has to be made plain that this was something, however well intentioned, that in the end did very much more harm than good,” he said.

“It has undermined a number of the children, it has undermined the school, to which I have no doubt you were devoted.”

The offences, he added, would be marked sufficiently by a three month sentence concurrent on each.