SWINDON secondary school headteachers have come to the defence of Education Secretary Estelle Morris.

They say that, despite allegations that she has interfered with the independent inquiry into A-level grades, attention should focus on whether the wrong results were given to A-level students.

The secretary of state has been accused of anticipating the result of an inquiry into whether exam boards lowered pupils' results because there were too many high grades.

Sir William Stubbs, chairman of the qualifications and curriculum authority, accused her of instructing officials to prepare a re-grading operation for this year's A-levels before the results of the inquiry have been announced.

Keith Defter, head of Commonweal School in Old Town, is chairman of Swindon Association of Secondary Heads.

He said: "Whatever the outcome of the inquiry it needs to be transparent, especially with these allegations of interference in what is supposed to be an independent inquiry.

"These are fairly serious allegations. There is no evidence from my understanding. It's way to early to be pinpointing blame.

"Kids need to know and feel confident that the grades they got are what they deserved to get.

"The most important thing is that something has to happen to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible."

Graham Taylor, principal of New College, said: "I think there are questions that the minister, the exam board and the QCA have to answer.

"It is not the remit of a politician to interfere in this issue, they are there to set broad guidelines.

"But the jury is out on this until we get evidence. If she is found to have interfered then I believe she should go."

Peter Wells, head of St Joseph's RC Comprehensive School, said: "The secretary of state has to serve the best interests of education

"Some people may say that thinking ahead to possible outcomes is strategic thinking. But her actions may have caused some people difficulty.

"From my observations from the media it seems as though something untoward has happened.

"But the most important people involved are not ministers of state or heads of exam boards but the young people who at the moment have received less than they deserved. That's really sad."