STUDENTS from a Basingstoke secondary school failed a key qualification because of a school blunder.

As previously reported, 45 Year 11 pupils from Brighton Hill Community School were called back after officially finishing to complete coursework that was missing.

Despite the error, pupils believed that the last-minute rush would ensure they still achieved the BTEC business studies qualification they had been working towards.

But on results day last month, affected pupils at the school in Brighton Way were instead given a letter from headteacher Charlie Currie stating that they had not received a grade because “insufficient work has been submitted”.

Mr Currie said the external verifier at examining board Edexcel had informed the school.

The letter, seen by The Gazette, went on to say: “If you have applied to study a business-related course next academic year, you should not be disadvantaged by not achieving this qualification, as this course is not a prerequisite for any level 3 courses at local sixth-form colleges.”

There was no apology or explanation from the school as to what had happened.

Adrian Donnelly, whose 16-year-old son was affected, said: “It’s an absolute disaster. I’m appalled and shocked.”

He emailed the school to complain, and was told in a reply, sent on August 28, that he would receive a call from assistant headteacher Liam Lyons, but when Mr Donnelly spoke to The Gazette on September 7 he had still not heard anything.

He said: “My son is going on to do business studies at Queen Mary’s College. It’s a mess. I can’t believe how they allowed it to happen.”

Mr Donnelly said he was “shocked” when he discovered that his son would have to return to school to complete further coursework that had been missed.

At the time, Mr Currie told The Gazette that the blunder was a result of long-term staff sickness, resulting in coursework being sent off incomplete.

He 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 did not respond to The Gazette’s request for a comment.