RESULTS of important national tests taken by pupils at a primary school have been declared invalid, The Gazette can reveal.

Parents at Long Sutton Church of England Primary School received a letter from the chairman of governors on Monday, to say that the Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) had been annulled because of “maladministration of the tests” taken by Year 6 pupils in Key Stage 2 in May last year.

But the letter, seen by The Gazette, failed to explain what exactly had happened, adding: “The details of the investigation are confidential.”

It follows the sudden departure of the headteacher Angie Harding, who left without warning before Christmas.

The tests measure pupils’ progress during their time at primary school before they move on to secondary education.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said they had been kept in the dark about the situation at the school, in Hude Road, Long Sutton.

He told The Gazette that an investigation was carried out following the head’s departure, and added: “After months and months of delays, whereupon we were given regular updates with regards to the investigation by the school governors assuring us that we would be kept informed at all times, the usual (which I fully expected) has taken place – a whitewash. No explanation has been given as to why these SATs results have been annulled.

“I’m absolutely outraged as a parent of two children who attend the school, one of whom has had their SATs tests annulled.”

Parents were also told on Monday that Mrs Harding will not be returning to the school “for personal and confidential reasons” following the death of her husband on New Year’s Day.

Parents were told last year that the Standard and Testing Agency (STA), the organisation which oversees the tests at a national curriculum level, had annulled the results for Long Sutton Primary School.

An investigation was then commissioned by the school’s governing body, in conjunction with senior officers from Hampshire County Council, with support from the Diocese of Portsmouth and Winchester.

The findings confirmed the administration error.

The letter sent to parents on Monday, from Clare Rowe Jones, chairman of governors, said: “Governors understand why the results were annulled and accept the decision of the STA, based on comprehensive supporting evidence, and we have taken appropriate action.

“Staff and governors at Long Sutton School are determined to secure a robust and transparent process in future years.

“We are working closely with the local authority to ensure that the SATs administration process in 2015 and in the future is fully compliant with STA guidelines and will enable pupils to demonstrate their significant progress at our school.”

The letter added that the school is now working to develop an action plan that will “demonstrate a robust and transparent approach to the administration of these tests this summer and in future years. The changes will be administrative and they will not be obvious to the children”.

A total of 17 children at the school were affected by the annulment.

Mrs Rowe Jones said in her letter: “We know that the 17 children who took their SATs last May have made a successful transition into their new school lives.

“Similarly, we are confident that the 2014 SATs results annulment has not, and will not, have any adverse impact on your child’s learning in 2015 beyond.

“Please note that I write as a parent and as a governor, who happens to have children in both the 2014 and the 2015 cohorts.”

She added: “We have learned from what has happened and will continue to strengthen our performance, in pursuit of excellence every day.”

Amy Taylor, press officer for the STA, confirmed that Long Sutton’s SATs had been annulled.

She added that when investigating allegations of maladministration, the STA determines whether “there is doubt over the accuracy or correctness of children’s results and/or outcomes for the national curriculum assessments”.

Hampshire County Council and Long Sutton Primary School failed to respond in time to comment.