THE head teacher of a Kent primary school whose exam results were declared invalid after an investigation into irregularities has been suspended.

Alan Mercer has been relieved of his duties at Maidstone's South Borough Primary School while the Local Education Authority probes the handling of last year's Key Stage 2 SATs.

SATs results are used to compile the Government's lists of school league tables. Strict procedures are in place governing SATs and other public examinations and head teachers are ultimately responsible for ensuring they are followed.

A spokeswoman for Kent County Council said this week: "Suspension is a totally neutral act. It is an automatic part of the procedure in these circumstances and is undertaken solely to ensure complete fairness to all the parties involved. It does not imply guilt."

All of the year six pupils' maths, English and science results were declared void after an investigation by the Government's education standards watchdog, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), in July.

This prompted governors at the school in Stagshaw Close to request an LEA investigation, which is currently being undertaken by Kent County Council.

A spokesman for the QCA said that it was not their policy to discuss details relating to specific schools, but confirmed that there are strict rules governing how the tests should be carried out.

SATs results at just 11 schools in England and Wales were declared invalid in the academic year 2000-2001 following incidences of maladministration and malpractice, and a similar number are expected for the last academic year.

Caroline Thomas, head teacher of St Paul's Primary School, has been appointed acting head teacher at South Borough.