Slapping case head will return to school

Marjorie Evans, the Welsh headteacher cleared of slapping a 10-year-old boy, was last night given permission to return to her school after more than a year on suspension.

Marjorie Evans, the Welsh headteacher cleared of slapping a 10-year-old boy, was last night given permission to return to her school after more than a year on suspension.

Governors at St Mary's Primary School in Caldicot, Gwent, lifted the suspension after a four-hour meeting, but Mrs Evans will not return immediately as she will remain on an agreed period of paid "leave of absence". Governors will also hold a further investigation into the affair, which began when she was suspended in September last year for allegedly slapping a pupil.

Mrs Evans was convicted of assault in July but cleared on appeal last month. Her suspension remained in place because police were investigating further allegations of pupil mistreatment at the school, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced on Monday that itwould take no further action.

Mrs Evans said: "I am delighted and relieved that this nightmare now seems to be drawing to a close following the governing body's decision to lift my suspension.

"From the very outset of this ordeal I have maintained my innocence and am glad that justice has finally been done.

"I am now looking forward to returning as headteacher to St Mary's Junior School."

The acting director of education for Monmouthshire County Council, Phil Cooke, said that the governing body would be investigating all the matters that had arisen during the 13 months since Mrs Evans was suspended.