AN investigation has been launched by an exam board as around 100 pupils face having to re-take part of a core GCSE exam at a Poole school.

Exam board AQA is looking into claims of malpractice at Magna Academy and said the inquiry is necessary to "protect the integrity of our examinations."

GCSE students are being forced to repeat vital coursework for their science exam after what the school described as a "misunderstanding."

With just days to go before the hectic timetable of written exams gets under way, around 100 pupils discovered this week that the so-called controlled assessments will have to be carried out between other exams over the next three weeks.

A spokesman for AQA told the Daily Echo: "Investigations for malpractice are confidential, so we can't confirm whether or not a specific investigation is taking place. We take all allegations of malpractice extremely seriously and ensure that appropriate action is taken to safeguard the interests of students and protect the integrity of our examinations.”

It is understood that the work counts for around a quarter of the marks available and could make a huge difference to the grades achieved. It has to be carried out in school.

Students have told the Daily Echo that after they completed the assessments, the papers were returned to them and they went through them in class. Neither the school nor AQA would comment on this.

A spokesman for AQA told the Daily Echo: "We’re aware of a potential issue with how these controlled assessments were carried out at the school, and we’re looking into it. We haven’t reached any conclusions yet but we understand that the school has decided that the most straightforward option is to ask all Year 11 students to do a second, different controlled assessment."

A letter to parents sent out from the school on Monday said: "Earlier this Academic year a misunderstanding over Year 11 Science Controlled Assessment procedures took place. The Academy resolved the issues and reported their actions to the examining body, AQA.

"AQA visited The Academy and spoke to several students and staff. As a result of this visit we are going to repeat the Core and Additional Science Controlled Assessment for all of Year 11."

The letter went on to say the school "view this as a positive outcome, bearing in mind that all Year 11 students will be well-practised in the procedures and timings of the Controlled Assessment process."

And it said students will have "an excellent opportunity to improve upon their previous grade."

A student affected by the "misunderstanding" said: "Everybody is really stressed and people are falling apart. No one has even apologised to us for this and it is putting too much pressure on the students."

Magna Academy, on the site of the former Ashdown School in Poole, hit the headlines when students were put into isolation for having the wrong equipment, some for having a ruler the wrong length.

Parents have also complained about pupils being forced to move between lessons in silence and carry their pencil cases in their hands in readiness for the next lesson.

But the school was graded Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors last year who heaped praise on its transformation.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "'In consultation with the exam board, the decision has been made for our Year 11 students to complete another round of Science Controlled Assessments. We believe this decision is in the best interests of our students.

"A misunderstanding arose resulting in an administration error with Science Controlled Assessment procedures. "The previous Controlled Assessment that was completed will be an invaluable practice exercise for our students.

"This decision will not impact on our students’ GCSEs or revision. Students have been revising in Science lessons for a long period of time and are very well prepared for the forthcoming GCSE exams."

She said the first assessments were never submitted to the exam board.