A second leading public school has been caught up in exam cheating claims, it has emerged, after the Guardian’s revelation that an Eton deputy head had resigned.



Winchester college has suspended its head of history of art, Laurence Wolff, 56, after allegations he gave students prior information on exam questions on two papers, it has been reported.



Results for two exams sat by about 13 Winchester students have been nullified and grades estimated on coursework and previous exams.



Tim Hands, the college’s headmaster, told the Daily Telegraph: “The college has treated this matter very seriously, and has worked closely with the examination board throughout. It greatly regrets what has happened.

“No boy was to blame, and the board used standard procedures to award final grades. One teacher was suspended and has now retired from the school.”

A spokesperson for the exam regulator Ofqual said: “The relevant exam board is responsible for informing Ofqual when situations like this occur and for taking any actions it considers appropriate in response. CIE [Cambridge International Examinations] has kept us informed of developments in relation to this incident and we have been closely monitoring its actions.”

The Telegraph reported that the allegations at Winchester came to light after a student at another school informed teachers that students from the college had been discussing the contents of the upcoming exam online. Teachers at that school then pursued the matter with Winchester and the exam board, resulting in an investigation.



Last week the Guardian reported that Mo Tanweer, Eton’s deputy headmaster of academics and a former investment banker, had left the college after allegations he circulated questions from an upcoming economics exam to other teachers.



The discovery came after an investigation by CIE, which administers the Cambridge Pre-U exams – an alternative to A-levels popular among British independent schools.

In both the Eton and Winchester cases, the teachers were also reportedly working as examiners at CIE.



The CIE said in a statement to the Telegraph: “We take very seriously our duties to ensure that all of our examinations are fair and that all students receive an appropriate and valid grade. We sympathise with the students who have been affected through no fault of their own.”



A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Parents and students must be able to have faith in the exam system. Any suggestion of malpractice is concerning and should be looked into.



“Cambridge International Examinations board are dealing with the incidents ‎and have made the exam regulator Ofqual aware.”