A SCHOOL in Cleobury Mortimer that was unhappy with the results its students achieved in their GCSE music exams is changing examination board.

Darren Reynolds, head teacher at Lacon Childe School, has written to parents and carers.

He tell them that two attempts to have the examinations re-assessed have failed and that this leaves no option but to make the change.

“As you know, we were unhappy with the marks that our students received for certain parts of their Music GCSE,” said Darren Reynolds.

“Our initial response was to ask for a re-moderation of their performance unit and a re-mark of their controlled assessment. Unfortunately, these returned with no change to the marks.”

He said that a second appeal also fell on deaf ears.

“Our next course of action was to appeal the re-moderation and re-mark with a detailed breakdown of where we disagreed with the marking that had been done – this was sent to the chief examiner for the board,” he added.

“We have now received the response for both of these units and, unfortunately again, there has been no change to the marks.

“This has been a matter of some dismay to us and, we understand, to you and your children as well.

“I would like to offer my personal apology for this as it was my belief that I received some excellent work from your children – they are very good musicians with a great deal of creative potential that this unexpected mark does not necessarily reflect.

“As a result of this we have decided to change the board we use for Music GCSE.”