Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hundreds of pupils made to re-sit 11-plus after exam leak

Parents and pupils hoping for a place at two Devonshire grammar schools told the papers are now 'null and void'

Rachael Pells
Education Correspondent
Saturday 08 October 2016 12:26 EDT
Comments
Students hoping to gain places at prestigious grammars Devonport High School (pictured) and Plymouth High School for Girls must first pass the 11-plus entrance exam
Students hoping to gain places at prestigious grammars Devonport High School (pictured) and Plymouth High School for Girls must first pass the 11-plus entrance exam (Devonport High School)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Hundreds of pupils are being made to re-sit an 11-plus exam after it was revealed some questions had been leaked in advance.

Investigations are being made into claims some children in Plymouth had seen the exam paper before taking the test.

Devon and Cornwall Police said no action will be taken against the alleged security breach, but the exam board G L Assessment is continuing its own inquiry.

The maths and English papers were taken by students hoping to gain places at two grammar schools in the area, Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls.

Some 400 girls will be made to re-sit the tests after earlier examinations were declared “null and void”.

A letter sent to parents by Plymouth City Council said: “At least one of the papers has been compromised.”

Some pupils reacted to the news positively, however, claiming the second try could help them achieve a higher mark.

Daisy Adams, from Plymouth, told the BBC: “I'm very happy because I might get a better score than I was going to get.”

Her mother, Sharyn Partridge, said: “The re-taking is the best way forward, its the fairest option for all the girls involved.

”It's none of the girls fault what's happened. Everyone re-takes and everyone has a fair chance.“

GL Assessment, which provides the tests, said: “Schools and authorised personnel have a legal duty to abide by our strict security protocols and we would like to reiterate that any breach of that duty will be dealt with."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in