Legal fight over slap case teacher

Marjorie Evans was cleared of slapping a pupil

Legal action has begun to try to allow a Welsh headteacher - convicted then cleared of slapping a pupil - to return to work.

The Nation Union of Teachers is acting on behalf of Marjorie Evans, 56, who was prevented from returning to her job at St Mary's Junior School in Caldicot, south Wales, before Christmas.

Earlier last year, she had been convicted by magistrates of slapping an unruly 10-year-old, but was later cleared on appeal.

The NUT has backed Mrs Evans

But the school governors and Monmouthshire education authority would not let her return to the classroom, and threatened to reimpose a suspension against her which had been lifted three months previously.

The NUT is fighting the suspension, and its formal application was expected to be lodged with the High Court in Cardiff on Thursday, and a court appearance date was expected within the next couple of weeks.

NUT senior solicitor Graham Clayton said: "We are seeking an injunction to stop the local education authority and school governors preventing Marjorie Evans returning to the school.

"The papers are being submitted to the court today, then there has to be time for the judges and the education authority to prepare their response."