Teacher lied over 'moment of madness' because he was 'terrified' about what he did

A high school science teacher has admitted providing a pupil with exam answers to help him cheat. Adam Lowery, a former professional judo athlete, gave a pupil exam answers in advance, a teacher regulation agency (TRA) was told on Monday, July 1.

The pupil, a boy known only as pupil A, sat his physics, biology and chemistry exams - which were set to inform his GCSE grades due to Covid-19 postponement of formal exams - in March 2021 while Mr Lowery was teaching at his school, Rainford High School in Merseyside.

The hearing was told how Mr Lowery, who joined Rainford in September 2019, had provided the pupil the exam questions and marking scheme. Mr Lowery also invigilated the pupil's physics exam on March 31, 2021, the Liverpool Echo reports. Mr Lowery admitted the allegations relating to his conduct. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

READ MORE: The beautiful part of Wales that could change its mind for the first time in decades

READ MORE: Big changes planned for junk food in Welsh supermarkets

Jonathan Storey, on behalf of the teacher, told a three person panel that Mr Lowery accepted his actions had "given an unfair advantage" to pupil A in exams that would have counted towards his final GCSE grades.

Concerns were first raised by three teachers independently who identified pupil A's exam marks as "extraordinarily high" and answers were similar to those within the documents made available to staff only. Richard Spedding, the school's head of physics, brought the matter to the attention of leadership.

Pupil A was interviewed who said he had achieved the grades "through hard work" before backtracking and claiming to have got the answers online. Mr Lowery was also interviewed on the same day and said he had prepared all pupils in the same way but had created preparation for pupil A online.

It transpired later that Mr Lowery had in fact given pupil A a pack and told him how to answer the questions. It was said the former teacher - who resigned in May 2021 - initially lied as he was "terrified" of the situation. Pupil A's results on the three tests were ultimately disregarded for his final GCSE mark.

Questioned by Mr Storey, Mr Lowery said he felt he had let down the community and the school through his behaviour in a "moment of madness and stupidity." He added: "Not a moment goes by where I don't regret it but I can't turn the clock back."

He said he "deeply regretted the shame brought on all parties concerned." Mr Storey said his client had "developed a sense of embarrassment" and "accepts he acted as no teacher should."

The TRA panel will now decide if Mr Lowery's actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and if any sanction should be imposed. The hearing continues.