An examination board has apologised to five A-level history students who were left in limbo after their exam work was ungraded.

The teenagers arrived at Sittingbourne Community College (SCC) last Thursday morning eager to find out how they had done after two years of hard work.

However, when they opened their envelopes they discovered coursework hadn’t been graded as it was missing due to a “processing mistake”.

As a result, the exam board AQA awarded them either D or E grades to reflect this.

Jamie Hudson, who received a D but was predicted an A in the subject, feared he would lose his place at Kent University to study economics as he was relying on the grade.

He was also worried that if the matter wasn’t sorted out within the next week he might also run the risk of losing his second placement at Bournemouth.

Speaking at the time, the 17-year-old of Doubleday Drive, Bapchild, said: “I’m a bit confused at the moment.

“I’m a little bit worried because I need to find out as soon as possible otherwise it’s going to be difficult to get in.”

However, within 24-hours of the school contacting AQA, the issue was rectified and the affected students notified by phone of their correct results, all of which went up by one grade.

As a result Jamie was awarded a C securing him a place at his second choice.

His dad Andy said: “As far as Jamie’s concerned he’s happy. It was just a stressful day all round.”

An AQA spokesman said: “We made a processing mistake which meant that SCC didn’t get all their grades straight away.

“We worked to put this right as a priority and the college now has their full correct results.

“We are really sorry that we didn’t get it right first time for the students but are glad to have been able to put it right.”

Trust principal Jon Whitcombe said: “It had nothing to do with the college. It was down to AQA.

“We are grateful they sorted it out and rectified the situation as quickly as possible for the students concerned.”