Mums’ anger at exam mix-up

7:23am Friday 16th May 2008

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GWENT mums are demanding an apology from their childrens' school after a mix-up meant they missed a maths exam.

Sharon Fenwick, 37, said her son Rhys, 16, missed the exam on Wednesday at West Monmouth school, Pontypool, because it wasn't printed on the timetable he had.

She said: "I want to know if this will effect the rest of his exams, why wasn't he told about this.

"I'm quite cross. I would like an apology off them."

Mrs Fenwick, of Churchwood, Griffithstown said her son was "in a bit of a state" about missing his maths pilot exam, which tests pupils' ability at maths and is taken as well as a maths GCSE.

Assistant headteacher at West Monmouth, Mike Rees, said the majority of the 84 pupils entered into the exam turned up on time.

He added that he had seen a copy of the timetable yesterday morning and the date and time of the exam was printed on that.

Mrs Fenwick said on the timetable she received, Rhys' first exam is listed for Friday morning, and the first she knew about Wednesday's exam was when she received a call in the morning informing her that her son had not attended.

It is not yet known how many pupils were affected by this, but Mrs Fenwick said she had been in contact with two other families whose children missed the exam for the same reason.

Rhys is interested in a career in fitness education and has been accepted at Usk college pending his exam results, he hopes to join the RAF.

June Evans, 50, also of Churchwood, has a son Stephen, 16, who she says missed the exam due to having an incorrect timetable.

She said: "I was disgusted really, we had no letters, no calls."

Mr Rees reassured parents that any child who missed the exam will still be able to take their GCSEs as normal.

He said: "We're looking into the problem and we'll be making contact with the parents and hopefully reassuring them on the situation."