PE teacher banned after changing pupils' coursework

A PE teacher who changed students' coursework has been banned from the profession.

Thomas Barge was the head of the PE department at Ark Charter Academy in Portsmouth from April 2022.

In May 2023, three of Barge's colleagues raised concerns about exam malpractice in the department to the school's head of centre and an investigation was launched.

Barge admitted in written representations to a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing that he used pupils' coursework to improve or complete other pupils' work, as well as edited work to meet grading criteria.

A report published by the TRA after Barge's hearing in September, which he did not attend, described his conduct as "ill-judged and dishonest actions taken to protect his own career".

On 11 May 2023, coursework scores for the OCR Cambridge Nationals Sports Studies Non-Exam Assessment were submitted to the exam board, which requested a moderation sample.

Barge admitted that he included 10 pieces of work in the sample that were not the work of the named pupils requested, as well as edited work to reach necessary grading criteria.

The matter was first referred to the TRA on 25 August 2023 following a school disciplinary hearing in June 2023.

In a written representation, he said that "at the time the course was substantially behind schedule, some pupils' work had not been submitted or could not be accessed and the moderation deadline was imminent".

He added that he was focused on resolving the immediate difficulties in completing the moderation sample and "avoiding adverse consequences for the pupils", describing his actions as "a series of increasingly poor decisions".

Barge said he was motivated by a desire to help the pupils obtain the best outcomes.

The panel also found that Barge had altered grades on an internal tracker spreadsheet.

The report said: "Mr Barge had had multiple opportunities to seek assistance and to act in a different way but had nevertheless proceeded with his dishonest conduct."

The panel found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

It said his actions "fundamentally undermined the public assessment process" and "had the potential to seriously damage the education and careers of the children in his care".

Barge was banned from teaching by the panel indefinitely and must wait four years before he can apply for the order to be set aside.