A TEACHER who forged students' coursework in an attempt to boost their marks has been banned from the classrooms for 12 months.

Nicholas Mangnall was sacked from Penketh High School after a disciplinary hearing in January 2005.

An IT teacher at the Heath Road site, he admitted that he failed to ensure students completed work on time or met coursework guidelines and presented students' work that was of a poor quality.

The General Teaching Council (GTC) heard evidence from Joy Thompson, head of IT at the school and Bill Kaye, deputy head teacher, during a separate hearing last week.

They revealed that, when questioned, pupils denied work attributed to them by Mangnall was theirs.

Anne Garner, GTC chairman, said: "We have no doubt that Mr Mang- nall tampered with coursework and presented his own work as that of the pupils.

"In our opinion, Mr Mangnall has failed to maintain the standards of honesty expected of members of the profession.

"He has seriously prejudiced the education and development of those pupils entrusted to his care and has brought the profession into disrepute."

The teaching watchdog suspended Mangnall for a year and recommended that, on his return to teaching, he undergo training in the teaching and administration of externally set exams.

Warrington Borough Council confirmed that the teacher had been dismissed, but said it would not comment further because it happened a long time ago and there is nothing else to say'.

Mangnall did not attend the hearing in Birmingham. He has a right to appeal to the High Court against this decision.