A primary school teacher who threatened a headmistress with scissors and faked epileptic fits has been allowed to continue working.

But Joanne Lilley said last night she planned to leave teaching later this year.

She said: "This whole ordeal has hung over me for two years and it is directly linked to my epilepsy, which has a side issue of psychosis, a condition which was never recognised.

"I feel I have never received any support or assistance from my teaching profession or colleagues and I just want to put it all behind me and leave teaching.

"Since this matter was first raised I've undergone examination and received treatment. It's a pity I had to sort this out myself without any help from people who thought they knew better."

Miss Lilley lost her job at Elm Grove First School in Worthing after pretending to have up to six epileptic fits a day and once punching headteacher Pauline Warren. She also asked for time off, pretending she was being considered for reality TV show Big Brother.

The General Teaching Council for England (GTC) has now given her a conditional registration order, which means she can continue working, after a hearing in Birmingham.

She now teaches at Deepdene School in New Church Road, Hove, a private nursery and pre-prep school.

The GTC panel accepted evidence from consultant physician Dr Richard Bowskill that Miss Lilley had a psychiatric disorder and suffered from epilepsy.

The panel ruled she had fraudulently applied for leave and could have behaved less aggressively.

The hearing was told Miss Lilley appeared to be having up to six fits each day between February and May 2002, though medical reports indicated she suffered only one genuine attack during the period.

Mrs Warren said: "Joanne would bang her arms and head against the wall, then she would be on the floor, thrashing around in a major way.

"She would also be very aggressive to the people around her."

Colleague Stacey Lelliott said Miss Lilley had told her a religious group blamed her epilepsy on bad behaviour in a previous life.

The panel heard Miss Lilley began the Big Brother lie in January 2002, telling people she had reached the final 20 applicants and was being bothered by the Press.

Mrs Warren called the programme's production company in April 2002 and discovered Miss Lilley had not entered.

Miss Lilley told the panel: "I believe I applied but I can't actually remember applying."

David Dewhurst, chairman of the GTC panel, said: "We do not believe Miss Lilley had no control over her behaviour throughout the period.

"She caused immense distress to friends and colleagues and we are at great pains to ensure there is no repetition of these events."

Under the order, Miss Lilley must provide the GTC with evidence she is following doctors' advice every six months.

She must also provide an annual statement from each school for which she works and make each employer aware of the registration order.

No one else at Deepdene School was available for comment.