'Slap' case teacher may go to law

Marjorie Evans is considering legal action

Monmouthshire headteacher Marjorie Evans, who was cleared of slapping a 10-year-old pupil, is considering legal action after she was suspended from her job more than a year ago.

Mrs Evans was speaking for the first time since governors at St Mary's School at Caldicot in Monmouthshire decided to lift her 13-month suspension.

She said she had not ruled out the possibility of seeking compensation and was seeking legal advice about what legal steps could be taken.

Mrs Evans, who is currently on paid leave, revealed that she hoped to return to her school before Christmas.

The suspension was placed on Mrs Evans last September after she was charged with slapping a pupil at the school.

Cleared on appeal

She was convicted of the assault at a magistrates court in July but was then cleared on appeal last month.

However, the suspension remained in place because Gwent police were investigating further allegations of pupil mistreatment at the school.

It was announced in October that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided to take no further action against Mrs Evans.

Mrs Evans hopes to return to school before Christmas

Graham Powell - former chair of St Mary's governing board - is set to put forward a motion for Mrs Evans to be reinstated.

A spokesman for the NUT teachers' union, Dyfan Jones, said Mrs Evans should be allowed to return to work as soon as possible.

"She has done nothing wrong. The appeal court judge said that he believed her version of events.

'Witch-hunt'

"She wants to return to St Mary's and the local authority must ensure that Mrs Evans is given support."

Mrs Evans, her union and some of the governors have accused staff and police of conducting a witch-hunt against her.

At a news conference after it was announced she would face no further charges, Mrs Evans said she was delighted at the decision - but she was angry that it had taken so long to clear her name.

She said she had lost a year of her life and that she could not believe that police had decided pursue further investigations even after her conviction was quashed.