Students sent the entire year’s results

A-level students at the Weald of Kent Grammar School were mistakenly sent an email from the school containing all the other pupils’ results.

The error came on results day, last Thursday, when the stress of A-levels had already been heightened for this year’s cohort by the uncertainty surrounding the grading - carried out without the benefit of sitting an exam due to Covid lockdown.

Head teacher Elizabeth Bone said: “I would like to apologise unreservedly for a serious error which resulted in some of our students receiving an email that contained details of other students and their results.

“This occurred due to a significant technical issue within our IT system.

“The error was realised as the emails were being sent, the process was stopped and the emails were recalled and deleted.

“However, the email was opened by approximately a quarter of the 172 pupils who received results.”

Mrs Bone said she realised this had caused additional stress for pupils at an already difficult time and that she was ‘truly sorry.’

She added: “I contacted all pupils to apologise and to let them know that a member of staff would call each one of them that day to inform them of their mock, centre assessed and confirmed grades.

“I have reported this incident to our data protection officer who is independent of the school and will decide whether to refer it to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

“We will also conduct a full internal review to ensure this does not happen again.”

She concluded: “May I take this opportunity to congratulate all our students on their results and to praise them for their hard work and dedication during extremely difficult circumstances over the past few months.

“My staff and I wish them every success in their next endeavour, whether that is at university or in the world of employment.”