A TEACHER has told of the catalogue of disorganisation she witnessed after applying for a job with the company marking schools' exam papers.

Experienced exam marker Lyn Richell got a job with ETS Europe, the company which is late delivering the nation's Sats test results.

She was not sent a contract and given only three days' notice of a training day in Newcastle.

And when she asked for training nearer to her home in Broadstone, or an allowance for hotel accommodation, the company refused.

So, like some other markers, she was unable to attend the training and could not do the job.

She said: "I received an email from my team leader the day before the training with some details so I phoned her and said I was unable to attend the training because Newcastle is too far away.

"She said that six markers out of her team of 10 had dropped out."

Mrs Richell, who works part-time at Bournemouth and Poole College, said: "I was not surprised to read the Sats marks were late because if this trend was replicated throughout the country it would not have been possible for the markers they had to get the work done in time."

She has also heard of markers being sent papers in subjects they were not qualified to mark and of papers being sent to the wrong places.

Widow Mrs Richell said: "I was upset because I am a pensioner and I could have earned nearly £1,000, which would make a difference to me. But their organisation was such that I'm not sure I want anything to do with them."

Kelly Southcott, head of communications for ETS Europe, said: "Unfortunately there were some issues around the setting up of training days and we are aware in some cases markers felt they were too far from their home. Markers were also told about training days later than we would have liked.

"This would-be marker should have been offered two nights' accommodation and we apologise that she was given the wrong information."

There were a few cases of markers being sent the wrong scripts but these were due to technical and logistical difficulties and scripts were collected and redistributed.

Exams watchdog the QCA has said ETS Europe could face penalties which would cost it tens of millions of pounds over the late delivery of results.

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