A FORMER school secretary who lost her job after being found guilty of slapping a pupil has won an appeal against conviction.

Jane Farmer, 57, resigned from her post at The Arnewood School in New Milton after being convicted following a trial at Southampton magistrates' court.

She had earlier been suspended while investigations were carried out.

But yesterday she appeared at Southampton Crown Court to appeal against the conviction for assault by beating and her appeal was allowed.

Following the trial Ms Farmer, of Brook Avenue in New Milton, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Magistrates were told the charges arose out of an incident in which she had been trying to help a female teacher to deal with a disruptive pupil.

A spokesman for The Arnewood School said: “At the time of the incident The Arnewood School conducted an internal disciplinary hearing, which resulted in a written warning and Mrs Farmer being able to return to work.

“When criminal proceedings were brought forward Mrs Farmer was suspended and following her conviction she resigned her position.

“As she is no longer an employee of the school it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”