A SALFORD head teacher suspended after claims she may have helped pupils in a national test is set to return to work.

Jane Otty was told to stay away from top-performing Boothstown Methodist School last month, following allegations she and deputy head Julie Dove may have given 11-year-olds a second chance to answer maths questions on Standard Assessment Tests.

Governors have now completed an investigation into the claims and Mrs Otty has been asked to return to work as quickly as possible. Mrs Dove, who was also suspended, is on sick leave.

Today a Salford council spokesman said: ''The governors have conducted a full investigation into the matter and they are satisfied the suspension of Mrs Otty can be lifted and she should return to work as quickly as possible.

''The council is following its formal processes and these will be completed once a disciplinary hearing has taken place.''

Boothstown has ranked among Greater Manchester's best primary schools for the past five years.

Concerns

But concerns about this year's papers were raised by parents, who claimed that as many as five 11-year-old pupils had been given a second chance on maths questions - when their papers were returned to them and they were told to make their answers clear.

Governors have been investigating, and chairman Coun Bob Boyd has written to inform parents of Mrs Otty's imminent return.

Meanwhile, a Bury primary school head suspended following allegations of exam irregularities has taken sick leave.

Mike Duce was sent home from Peel Brow at Ramsbottom after concerns were raised about irregularities in SATs. He has handed in a sick note for four weeks.

Dozens of parents have pledged their support for Mr Duce, who has been at the school for more than 20 years, and have called for his reinstatement.

A petition urging the swift conclusion of an inquiry by the local authority has been handed to education chiefs and the school's governing body.

Bury council says the investigation into the claims will involve thorough checks with the examination board, the results of which will be handed to governors.

Investigations are also continuing following the suspension of a second Bury head, Bernard Emblem, of Millwood primary special school, after allegations of misuse of computer equipment.

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