PUPILS at Claydon High School sitting their GCSEs were outraged today after they were given the wrong examination paper.The group of 27 business studies pupils sat the exam for 45 minutes before they were told that it was the wrong paper.

PUPILS at Claydon High School sitting their GCSEs were outraged today after they were given the wrong examination paper.

The group of 27 business studies pupils sat the exam for 45 minutes before they were told that it was the wrong paper. They were then given the right paper and had to sit for a further hour and 15 minutes to complete the examination.

One of the disgruntled pupils, Sam Scott, 16, said: “We did the paper for 45 minutes and then they told us to stop because it was the wrong paper. I had already finished it.

“They gave us another paper and we didn't even get a break. We were there for two hours 20 minutes in the end and I was really tired so I don't think I have done as well in the second paper.

“Everyone is really annoyed about it. We had to sign this disclaimer afterwards and my mate asked what would happen if we didn't sign it and we were told we wouldn't get our results. My parents are going mad about it.”

The exam paper was actually intended for another year group next week. The school, on Church Lane, has reassured pupils and parents that special consideration will be given to pupils so that their marks will not suffer as a result. Head teacher Elizabeth Soule added that the disclaimer was to ensure pupils did not disclose the content of the exam paper.

Mrs Soule said: “On Thursday an examination paper was given out in error and the students began this examination. “When the mistake was recognised the examination was stopped and the examination board contacted for instructions.

“These instructions were followed and the correct papers were distributed and completed. The examination board has confirmed that the students will be given special consideration because of the disruption.

“The students were asked by the examination board not to discuss the content of the paper with anyone else and to sign a statement to that effect. Because of the nature of the examination (which involves having most of the documentation beforehand), the examination board (OCR) deemed that the security had not been compromised.”

Last month an investigation was launched after 160 year 11 students at Leiston High School sat the wrong exam paper in religious studies and had to face the ordeal of taking the exam for a second time weeks later.

n. Did your child sit this exam too? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.