David Ruffley MP has today released details of the number of Suffolk Key Stage 2 and 3 exam papers that were marked incorrectly in 2008, the latest year for which figures are available.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that 80 Key Stage 2 English papers, 140 Key Stage 3 English papers and 48 Key Stage 3 Science papers were remarked to a higher level. Each of these represents a substantial increase on the figures for 2007 (the full Excel spreadsheet is attached to this press release).

Furthermore, the number of marking reviews requested in 2008 was substantially up on 2007. For example, in 2008 1,936 group remarks of Key Stage 3 English papers were requested compared with 408 the preceding year.

David said:

'Taking an exam can be an incredibly stressful experience, whatever your age, and collecting the results can be equally daunting. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that when these results are given that they are accurate.

'These new figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, display an alarming number of errors creeping into the marking process- 140 Key Stage 3 English papers were remarked to a higher level in 2008. Furthermore, they demonstrate the lack of faith some of our schools are beginning to have in this process. In 2008 the number of reviews requested was massively up on 2007 in English, Maths and Science at both Key Stage 2 and 3.

'Teachers, parents and pupils need to have faith in the marking process. It is clear to me from these figures that increasingly this is not the case. I will be taking this matter up with the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, and seeking an explanation for this alarming increase.'