THE top Hampshire headteacher cleared of slapping a pupil could be reinstated at her school, education chiefs have revealed.

But they say that the teenage pupil who accused Eve Ritchie-Fallon of the assault may have to be removed from the school.

Despite being acquitted of assaulting the 15-year-old boy at the Forest Education Centre, Mrs Ritchie-Fallon is still suspended from her role as head of the school and now faces an internal investigation.

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Councillor David Kirk, head of children’s services at Hampshire County Council, said following the review the 57-year-old could be reinstated to her role in charge of the pupil referral unit while the student who made the allegation could be moved to another school.

After taking over in 2001 she transformed the failing unit in Cabot Drive, Dibden Purlieu, into one that was heaped with praise by inspectors.

However, she was suspended almost a year ago after she was accused of slapping a 15-yearold boy around the face when he refused to stop smoking on school premises – a charge she denied.

Mrs Ritche-Fallon, of Long Close, Pennington, was cleared following a three-day trial at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

Cllr Kirk said despite Mrs Ritchie-Fallon being found not guilty of the charge, an internal review was now legally required which could last up to two weeks.

He said: “I have every sympathy with Eve but an internal investigation is required by law. I don’t have any choice in the matter.

“Hampshire County Council is required by law to carry out the investigation to determine what, if any, action should be taken.

“Regulations contained in the Children’s Act regarding the protection and safeguarding of children determine that.

“We now have to look at all the information.

“One solution could be that Eve goes back to the Forest Education Centre and the pupils in question are removed.

“Another could be that she is placed in another school.

“I am hoping the investigation can be dealt with swiftly in a matter of a few days but at most it could take a week or two.”

Prosecution witnesses included a 15-year-old boy who admitted that he had been smoking cannabis on the morning of the incident and only half of what he told police at the time could now be believed.

New Forest MPs Desmond Swayne and Julian Lewis have been among voices calling for Mrs Ritchie-Fallon to be reinstated.