PUPILS from James Reid School in Saltcoats have still to receive SQA certificates from two years ago – because they were not submitted in time.

North Ayrshire Council this week admitted the error at the Additional Supports Needs school.

And furious parents of pupils at the school have demanded to know why they are only finding out about the blunder now.

The head teacher of James Reid, Martin Edwards, is no longer at the school, it was confirmed this week.

He remains in charge of Stancastle in Irvine.

Angry parents of pupils are now demanding to know why it was “brushed under the carpet.”

One shocked parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Some parents, myself included, have been informed that our children’s SQA examinations were not submitted on time.

“We are shocked.”

Another parent told the Herald this week: “It beggars belief that a headteacher can ‘forget’ to submit pupils’ results – and why were parents not informed of this?

“Had this happened at a mainstream school I’m certain that this issue wouldn’t have been swept under the carpet.

“Parents and pupils deserve a full apology from both the former headteacher and the head of education of North Ayrshire.

“I’m disgusted and I know I’m not the only one.”

The way in which pupils are tested is different from mainstream schools but pupils are examined and some of those pupils are still awaiting certificates from the 2014/15 session.

The future of ASN schools in the area looks set to be confirmed at next week’s special meeting of North Ayrshire Council with the preferred site for a combined school housing pupils from James Reid, Stanecastle, Haysholm and James McFarlane set to be announced.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The work of pupils at James Reid School is assessed internally by the school, appropriate to their level of study, rather than externally by the SQA.

“All internal assessment information for the current year 2015/16 has been submitted to the SQA and all eligible pupils have received their awards from the SQA.

“However, the internal assessment grades for session 2014/15 were not submitted on time and some pupils did not receive their certification from the SQA. This has been rectified and the pupils will receive their statements in due course.

“We have also conducted a full investigation to ensure this won’t happen again.

“We don’t comment on matters relating to an individual employee but can confirm that John Hamilton is the Acting Head Teacher of James Reid School. Martin Edwards is Head Teacher of Stanecastle.

“We are currently assessing our provision of ASN schooling across North Ayrshire. We will not be making any new permanent appointments until this is complete.”