A "compassionate" teacher at a school in Kidderminster has been found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. 

Mark Venross, the former deputy headteacher of Continu Plus Academy, appeared before a panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency from September 18 to September 20. 

Mr Venross was accused of unacceptable professional conduct or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute following an incident involving exam papers in May 2023. 

He admitted to asking a colleague to print a blank sheet of the "second pair of eyes" declaration form and asking them to complete it with incorrect information after PE exam papers were opened early. 

A witness gave evidence that he came into work at 8am on May 17, 2023, to prepare for the morning PE exam. 

The witness said Mr Venross had already distributed the exam papers, but later became aware that the exam was to be held in the afternoon. 

The next day, the witness said Mr Venross informed him that the exam board was investigating the matter and Mr Venross asked him to print off a new "second pair of eyes" form and copy the information from the original form to the new form.

The witness evidence said this form should be completed at the time the exam papers are opened and should be witnessed and signed by two people.

The panel found the first allegation to be proven. 

Mr Venross was also accused of completing an exam board statement and declaration form containing false information and/or asking a colleague to provide information to the exam board that he knew to be false. 

Mr Venross admitted to completing an exam board statement and declaration form that contained information he knew to be incorrect or false but denied asking a colleague to provide information to the exam board. 

The panel found the second allegation to be proven. 

In a separate incident on May 22, 2023, Mr Venross and another witness found an open pack of history papers. 

He was found to have asked a colleague to tell another colleague the incorrect time of discovery of the opened exam bundle. 

This allegation was proven as well as the panel finding Mr Venross acted "dishonest" and "lacked integrity". 

In deciding the outcome of the hearing, the panel heard character references, which described Mr Venross as a "supportive and compassionate" teacher who "forms positive relationships with staff and students".

The panel was satisfied that Mr Venross was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct but agreed that Mr Venross was very remorseful and his actions were "not consistent with his overall character". 

After weighing up the evidence, including the fact not all allegations were proven, Marc Cavey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, decided not to issue a prohibition order. 

He said: "The publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to Mr Venross as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable."

Continu Plus Academy suspended Mr Venross in June 2023. 

The school did not wish to comment on the hearing.