Supporters at Abergavenny magistrates court

They are now trying to canvas support for her conviction to be overturned.

The campaigners also want politicians to give them clear guidance on the restraint of unruly pupils.

Teacher Deidre Davies said colleagues were now afraid of disciplining pupils in case they ended up in court.

"We feel it has placed teachers in jeopardy of false and unwarranted allegations from adults and pupils alike," she said.

"She still maintains her innocence. She did not slap the child, she merely restrained him when he tried to punch and headbutt her."

Governors at Mrs Evans's school decided at a meeting on Monday to defer a decision on her future until the outcome of her appeal.

The teacher was suspended from her job last September after a complaint from the boy's family.

'Disturbed'

Claiming she only restrained him when he became unruly, she has always denied slapping the pupil.

Following the case, Conservative leader William Hague said a future Tory government would review guidelines on how to discipline pupils in the wake of Mrs Evans's case.

Mr Hague said he was "disturbed" that a teacher of good standing should get into trouble over one incident.