A STAFF member has been suspended 'without prejudice' from Lymm High after GCSE coursework and school essays 'went missing' from the computer database.

An investigation has been launched by school chiefs into problem but it is not yet clear how much work has disappeared or if it can be retrieved.

One parent from Lymm, who asked to remain anonymous, described the situation as 'worrying'. 

She said: "My child came home in a panic after she discovered her work had gone missing. It's very concerning as this is an important time for final year pupils."

But executive principal Tarun Kapur has urged parents not to worry while they try to uncover what happened and hunt down the missing pieces of work.

Mr Kapur said: "We have got some issues with children's work that may have gone missing but we do not know the extent of it.

"Once I knew we had some issues I took some immediate action. This action was without prejudice. We suspended the member of staff while we have a proper look into the situation."

A team of IT experts have since been called into the school on Oughtrington Lane from the Dean Trust, where Mr Kapur is currently chief executive and academy principal.

It is believed some work has survived the computer issue at the school, which was rated as good by Ofsted in a report published in January, 

Mr Kapur added: "Any parents who feel concerned should contact the school and speak to their appropriate year group to see if their child has been affected."

He also added that any GCSE work that had already been marked would not need to be resubmitted by pupils if the missing work is not found.

On one examining board’s website, AQA, it states that any coursework or controlled assessment that has been lost or damaged at a school can apply for special consideration.

This is only when the school is responsible for the loss and does not include work that is lost as a consequence of negligence on the part of the student.