A SCHOOL blunder has left dozens of pupils having to rush to complete coursework this week rather than focus on their GCSE exams.

Year 11 pupils at Brighton Hill Community School discovered last week that some of their coursework for business studies was missing, meaning they have to go into school this week to complete it in between trying to sit their exams.

Samantha Thorn, whose 16-year-old son is one of the 45 pupils affected, said: "They have two days to try and complete the coursework, it's about 10 hours worth. The students are already in for other exams."

The mother-of-one, from Hatch Warren, said the school struggles to retain permanent teachers, and as a result many subjects are taught by supply teachers.

She added: "Thankfully my son is bright enough to ride the storm but I'm concerned about those who are starting in September. I have contacted Ofsted because it's something I thought the community needs to be aware of."

Mrs Thorn said the error has created extra stress for her son at a time when he should be revising for his exams, and added: "It is an absolute disgrace that this error has happened and not been noticed sooner."

Headteacher Charlie Currie admitted that the coursework was never completed, but said it was a result of long-term staff sickness rather than the issue of retaining permanent staff - something that was highlighted in the school's Ofsted report.

He has recruited a teacher to come in and work with the students over two days this week to compete the missing coursework, and added: "I have offered an apology. I really do sympathise with parents and students because it's very frustrating to find out at the last minute that this has happened."

Mr Currie said one teacher has been off sick since September with a broken ankle and another went off sick five weeks ago.

He said an external verifier alerted the school that coursework was missing from one of the units.

He added: "Nothing has got lost or gone missing - it was sent off not complete. One of the units was sent off empty. So we have had to get the kids back to do a unit of work."

Mr Currie said he will "do whatever it takes to get it done" and said the teacher who has been brought in may stay for longer if necessary.

The headteacher has also defended his school, in Brighton Way, after it was told to improve by Ofsted.

The school was visited by the education watchdog in April, and a report published this month (June) judged it as "requires improvement" overall.

It said: "There is too much inconsistency across subject areas. The school struggles to recruit teachers and offer some teachers appropriate support."

It added: "Too many students are being taught by a succession of different teachers in certain subjects areas. This is affecting the quality of their learning experience and the progress students make in these subjects."

The leadership, teaching and pupil achievement were all graded as "requires improvement" whilst the behaviour and safety of pupils was judged as "good", with the report noting students' "courteous and polite" behaviour.

Inspectors from the education watchdog said the the school leaders have "worked hard to improve the quality of teaching since the previous inspection" when the school was also judged as "requires improvement".

The report noted that disadvantaged students at the 651-pupil school make less progress than other students, adding: "In 2014, disadvantaged students were approximately one grade behind other students at the school."

Inspectors found that, over time, the achievement across a range of subjects, including geography, history, drama, hospitality and catering, and additional science, has been "inconsistent".

The report said: "Students' current work and the school's predictions indicate that this inconsistency will continue this year."

However, it added that school leaders have "worked hard to improve the quality of teaching since the last inspection. The headteacher, senior leaders and governors have a clear vision for the school"

Mr Currie told The Gazette: "The biggest problem schools have is recruiting and retaining high calibre teachers. I would only appoint a teacher if they are good or better. The only thing worse than running with a vacancy is appointing the wrong member of staff."

He added: "I know that there are issues the school is facing but I think it reads really positively. I had a meeting with concerned parents and they were extremely supportive. I can't pretend we weren't disappointed not to get a good but it was the recruitment issue and the inconsistencies as a result of that that has pulled us down."

Mr Currie said inspectors advised the school it was "on the 'cusp of good'", adding: "There were no surprises. It didn't tell us anything that we don't already know."

He added: "Staff and governors, with the support of the local authority, have worked extremely hard and will continue to do so."