Further chaos for home-schoolers

Sheep and drinkers caught in illicit baa

Up to 20,000 home-educated youngsters are set to miss out on GCSE and A-level results for the second year running.

Last year’s exams turned to chaos after an algorithm downgraded 100,000 A-level students, forcing Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to replace it with teacher assessments.

But home educated youngsters could not get grades using either method.

Wendy Charles-Warner, of charity Education Otherwise, said they face the same nightmare this year, adding: “We’re going to have a generation who can’t demonstrate they are well-educated.”

Maili Jordan-Hanna, 17, hoped to be at Liverpool University by now reading Classics and English – but has been forced to delay her education.

Maili, of Lossiemouth, Scotland, said:

“Pupils in schools have options, we don’t. The fairest way would be let us sit exams, or to do it online for everyone.”

Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said: “Gavin Williamson’s incompetent approach put lives on hold.”

Schools minister Nick Gibb said regulators had been told “to find a clear route for private candidates”. The DfE said: “We’ve made sure everyone is able to have their say in our consultation.”

POLICE found a drinking den with 10 drinkers and two sheep yesterday.

Officers issued fines after finding the makeshift bar at 1am with a snooker table, TV and table football.

Lancashire Police said: “The most bizarre find was... two sheep.”

Action may be taken against the building’s owners in Bacup, Lancs.

Police also stopped a rave in Accrington, Lancs, where youths fled.