PUPILS from a school at the centre of a cheating scandal have had a section of their foreign language exams cancelled.

The decision was made by an exam board after if found evidence of “exam malpractice” at Little Lever Specialist Language College.

The OCR exam board (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA), was investigating allegations that staff had helped pupils to pass the oral section of their exams.

Most of the students affected have since left the school.

They have been told the decision to scrap the part of the exam linked to the cheating probe will not affect their places at local colleges.

Three teachers remain suspended while an internal investigation is being carried out.

Margaret Asquith, director of children’s services at Bolton Council, said: “The local authority has worked closely with the school and the head teacher during his investigation.

“It has been important to work swiftly and thoroughly with the school and the colleges to ensure the best possible outcomes for the young people.

“We will continue to assist the headteacher, his staff and the school in what ever way they require.”

All students will be able to re-sit the speaking module of the French, German and Spanish asset languages exam — the equivalent of a traditional GCSE — should they wish to do so.

Headteacher Philip Hewitt, who has been praised by OCR for his report into the allegations, said he wanted to make it clear that the students were innocent.

He added: “The pupils who have left have been our main priority and we have worked with Bolton Council and the principles of all the colleges to ensure the education of the pupils is not affected.

“We have had a lot of support from the council and from parents and the attitude of the pupils has also been fantastic. This is an isolated incident that we have moved swiftly to deal with.”

A number of pupils in last year’s Years Nine and 10 have also had the speaking sections of their work cancelled and will also be given the chance to re-sit the module.

Parents of pupils involved have been sent specific information regarding the investigation and its outcomes for them.

Letters explaining the general situation have been sent out to all parents.

Mr Hewitt said: “We have measures in place now that will ensure this does not happen again and arrangements have been made to ensure that experienced and qualified language teachers are in place in the school.”

The potential breach was first brought to the school’s attention in July by the OCR.

The Bolton News understands initial concerns were raised when the oral exam answers were examined closely.

It is believed the inquiry centres on allegations that teachers showed pupils actual exam questions in advance of the oral test.

andrew.greaves@theboltonnews.co.uk PANEL Asset Languages qualifications explained The Asset Languages qualification is a relatively new option available to schools.

It is a nationally-recognised qualification which uses a “building block” approach so students can build up a final mark.

Each language is broken down into four modules - reading, writing, listening and speaking - and there are six levels.

Most secondary schools teach up to level 3, intermediate, which gives points, for college entry purposes, equivalent to a GCSE at grades A* to C.

A level 4 is the equivalent to an A or AS Level and can be used towards university entry.

Pupils do not have to take all four modules to complete the qualification.