Basingstoke students have been left in limbo by the government’s “shambolic” handling of A level results.

Around 40 per cent of pupils at Queen Mary’s College saw their marks downgraded, causing at least one student to lose their place at university.

After widespread criticism, the government ditched its marking algorithm on Monday in favour of teacher assessments.

But some students fear the damage has already been done. Harrison Gorst, a student at QMC, was rejected from his first-choice university due to the government’s marking.

“I got a conditional offer to study law at The University of Bristol but was rejected on Thursday after getting my results. I’ve now to got to see if they will re-offer me a place but I haven’t heard back from them. My future is looking uncertain,” the 18-year-old, from Bramley, told The Gazette.

Read the full story in this week's paper. Also:

  • As Basingstoke sweltered in record-breaking temperatures last week - so did a number of dogs left trapped in cars. At least three pets were photographed locked in vehicles when temperatures soared to above 32C.
  • The community is rallying round to support a baby whose chance of survival is down to securing a heart transplant. As previously reported in The Gazette, sixteen-month old Romeo was born with a rare heart condition. A fundraising appeal has been set up to help his parents, Suzie Small and Jimmy Francis, get the best medical help possible. And so far, £12,000 has been crowdfunded by family friend Rowan Vine.
  • A man has been jailed for a month after admitting to biting and spitting at police officers in an alcohol-fuelled outburst at a Basingstoke hotel. Robert Andrew Parker, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to five counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one section 5 public order offence after the incident at The Red Lion hotel at the Top of Town last week.
  • Scrapping free parking in the town centre is a “slap in the face” to traders in the Top of Town, a business owner has said. As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has cancelled the free hour of parking incentive at central car park and increased prices elsewhere.
  • Hampshire County Council says there has been a rise in the number of people booking slots at Household Waste Recycling Centres and failing to show up.
  • Temperature checks, socially distant markings and staggered exits could be part and parcel of a trip to Winklebury to watch Basingstoke Town next season, according to a senior club official.
  • A Basingstoke student is one of thousands up and down the country still waiting for her BTEC results, a week after they were due. Ellie Clarke was due to pick up her results from her Level 3 BTEC in Health and Social Care last Thursday, the same day as the now infamous A Level results, but is still waiting for her final grade. And after The Gazette went to print on Wednesday, her exam board announced that they were pulling all BTEC results not already released in order to re-mark them.
  • Plus: A special, six-page A Level results supplement
  • The latest goings on from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • A look back at the history of Taskers of Andover Ltd, a major rival of Basingstoke's Wallis and Steevens.
  • The latest news from your communities
  • An eight page puzzle special
  • The latest business news
  • Three pages of entertainment news
  • And two pages of local sports news
  • Plus much more!

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