A FORMER head teacher accused of doctoring 11-plus and SATs papers at two Kent schools has pleaded guilty in court.

Alan Mercer, of Prospect Road, Chatham, admitted 14 charges of tampering with pupils’ exam papers and asked for a further 140 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Maidstone magistrates heard how Mercer, 46, made unauthorised alterations and added answers to papers sat by pupils at Eythorne Elvington Community Primary near Dover and South Borough Primary in Maidstone.

In a statement read by his solicitor, Toby Burrough, he said that he had been motivated to cheat by a desire to help his pupils.

Mr Burrough said: “He didn’t benefit directly from the from the tests at all, neither did the staff and neither did the school. The only people who have benefited are the children.”

The statement also passed on Mercer’s apologies to the staff, pupils, parents, Local Education Authority and governors. He will be sentenced later at the Crown Court.