THE head of the English department at Chepstow School submitted plagiarised coursework to examiners, a competency hearing was told.

Kathryn Currie, who appeared at a General Teaching Council for Wales hearing in Cardiff today, was the head of English at Chepstow School between 1990 and 2013.

Currie, who first started teaching at the school in 1986, faces a total of 14 allegations relating to the overall charge of professional incompetence between October 2012 and September 2013. She denies all the allegations.

The allegations include:

• Failing to ensure that data trackers were used effectively.

• Failing to implement a robust system for moderation, standardisation and/or monitoring progress.

• Failing to identify barriers to learning effectively.

• Failing to ensure that appropriate interventions at pupil level were put in place.

• Failing to evaluate pupil progress and outcomes at key stages three, four and five.

• Failing to carry out all lesson observations for members of the English department.

• Failing to ensure that all staff receive the appropriate levels of support.

• Failing to fulfil the basic role of a curriculum leader.

Claire Price, headteacher of Chepstow School, giving evidence today (Thur) said there was a 'pattern of embedded underachievement' in the school's English results from 2008 to 2013.

She said the school was above the Welsh average but was underachieving in their family cluster which is made up of similar schools.

She said that Currie had predicted GCSE grades which were overestimated by 28 per cent than what was achieved. She said this was a big concern as children need English to access further education and employment.

Miss Price told the hearing that while Currie was off work on sickness leave they were concerned as the deadline to submit coursework was nearing.

She said they learnt that Currie had already submitted coursework to examiners some of which was plagiarised work.

Miss Price said she didn't take further action against Currie as the examining body WJEC had dealt with the issue.

Miss Price said: "By this point my main concern was that the education of students was in serious jeopardy."

An Estyn inspector told Miss Price of his concerns with the English department during an inspection in 2012. In the school's Estyn report 4 out of 7 recommendations were concerned with the standard of English.

Geraint Davies, of NASUWT, representing Currie, argued that the English attainment, assessments and exam results had improved in that period.

He said: "How could all children's education in her care be in jeopardy?"

Miss Price said that a small improvement had been made but they were still underachieving within their family cluster of schools.

Mr Davies accused Miss Price of being 'hell bent' to dismiss Currie.

She said: "I refute that. Why would one want to see the dismissal of a member of staff it's not a sign of good leadership."

The hearing was told that Monmouthshire council agreed on a settlement with Currie before an employment tribunal was due to take place.

Mr Davies said: "The local authority negotiated a settlement. Is it because they concluded that you Miss Claire Price, headteacher at Chepstow School, got it wrong in terms of Miss Currie?"

Miss price said: "I had a case prepared for tribunal.

"My understanding was the local authority made a business decision that it was cheaper to settle."

Proceeding.