A class of sixth formers at a school in north London fear they have lost their university places after they were taught to the wrong standard for almost two years.
The students at the Crest academy in Neasden were studying for a BTec level 3 extended diploma in medical science and had been offered conditional places at university on the strength of their predicted results.
Earlier this year, however, following an assessment by a moderator, the pupils were told they had been working to the wrong assignment brief throughout the course and would have to redo their work to meet the required standard.
Unlike A-levels, which are largely assessed by exams, the BTec qualification depends entirely on course work. Given the time constraints to redo the work – despite a deadline extension – the students say they are now unlikely to get the distinctions they require to get to their chosen universities.
An investigation has been carried out, but the students – most of whom are young women hoping to become the first in their families to go to university – fear they have lost their opportunity to get into higher education.
The school, which is in special measures, has a difficult history. The headteacher, Mohsen Ojja, who took up his post at the school in January 2015, told the Guardian he had uncovered serious issues around the management of science exams, which had since been dealt with.
As a result, however, students on the medical science course had been incorrectly led to believe they were working to a distinction standard and had applied to university on that basis. He said some of the work submitted did not even meet the criteria for a pass.
Many of the 20 or so students taking the course were expecting to start university in September after getting conditional offers to study subjects such as child nursing, psychology and biomedical science at universities including King’s College London, Surrey and Middlesex.
Since being told they would have to do redo their work, they say they have been unable to sleep because of the pressure – studying for long hours, at weekends and throughout Ramadan and Eid. One student described having a panic attack and being taken to hospital; others said they felt like crying and their hair was falling out as a result of the stress.
Farhiyo Osman, 19, who had been hoping to study child nursing at King’s College, said: “I had got through tests and interviews. I tried so hard to get into university. But then I found out all this happened and it was overwhelming. It was so hard.
“It’s a big deal to go to university. It’s a must for me and my family. I feel very angry because I’ve worked so hard to get my grades.”
Safa Nour, 19, who had been accepted to study biomedical science at Surrey, said she thought the school cared less about BTec students. “We had a lot of hopes. We thought we were going to become biomedical scientists. We got into top universities. When I told my family, they were so proud of me,” she said.
“Now I regret the day I came to the school. I don’t sleep. I did not get sleep for a week. I feel like I want to jump out of the window.”
Many of the young women felt pressure from their families, who were ambitious for them to go to university. Marina Hashimi, 19, said: “I’m the eldest in my family. I have six siblings. I have to go to university. I’m a role model for my siblings.”
Fareeha Noor, 18, described suffering her first panic attack as a result of the error. She said: “My heart was beating hard. I’ve never had it before. My dad had to take me to hospital.”
A spokesperson for the Crest academy sponsor, E-Act, defended the school’s response, confirming that the academy’s internal quality assurance processes discovered in March that students undertaking the BTec medical science programme “required intensive teaching support in order to meet the requirements of the course”.
E-Act has had its own difficulties and has had a number of schools taken away following critical Ofsted reports. As soon as the problem was spotted at Crest, E-Act said the academy took immediate action to ensure that all students had the best possible chance of achieving the required standards, working with students, their parents and the Pearson examination body to agree a revised school timetable with increased tuition and an extended course-work deadline.
“All students on the programme have received appropriate levels of advice and feedback in accordance with Pearson’s BTec guidance. E-Act is also in communication with the Department for Education about this matter,” the spokesperson said.
Ojja said he believed the school had taken all the necessary steps to ensure the students were given sufficient opportunity to catch up but said some of the students had been wrongly advised at the end of GCSEs that a BTec in medical science would be an easy way to get to university, when in fact it was very rigorous and demanding course.
“It’s very, very difficult. It has caused me sleepless nights. Our mission is, ‘Every student ready for university, every student a leader’,” he added.
The pupils are being supported by the Black Child Agenda, an educational charity, which is seeking legal advice. Its chief executive, Cheryl Phoenix, said: “It is imperative that educational establishments such as Crest academy in Neasden take their responsibility to their students seriously. To fail an entire class of hardworking students is shameful.
“The students contacted the Black Child Agenda as they desperately needed help, support and their voices heard. We will be seeking further advice regarding the university places these girls may have now lost out on because of the actions of Crest academy.”
A DfE spokesperson said the regional schools commissioner was working with the trust, which was conducting a formal investigation.
“Any suggestion that a pupils’ results and future chances have been affected because of an avoidable error by a school is of serious concern.”
