AN INVESTIGATION has been launched at a Hampshire school where pupils failed a key qualification because of a blunder.

Forty-five Year 11 pupils from Brighton Hill Community School, Basingstoke, 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 GCSE results day in August, 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”.

There was no apology or explanation from Mr Currie as to what had happened, and he has failed to respond to numerous calls made by The  Echo requesting a comment.

Now, Hampshire County Council has said it will investigate the blunder.

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education at the council, said: “We are concerned to hear about the circumstances at Brighton Hill and will be investigating the situation further with the school.

“Clearly it would not be right that pupils work hard for two years and then receive no qualification at the end of that time through no fault of their own.”

The letter from Mr Currie, seen by The Echo, said: “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 pre-requisite for any level three courses at local sixth-form colleges.”

As previously reported, students were left devastated and their parents shocked and angry.

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

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

Another, Sam Thorn, whose 16-year-old son was one of those affected, told The Echo: “As you can imagine the students are angry and sad that they have in theory wasted the last two years studying for this qualification and in some cases are struggling to keep a higher education course because it required the BTEC qualification.”

The mother-of-one, from Hatch Warren, added: “I would hate to hear that this happens again.”