Grave concerns have been raised about the marking of A levels and GCSE exams after 24 students from Easingwold School had their grades raised.

Teachers asked for the papers to be remarked because they thought they had got a raw deal in the summer.

In A level sociology, ten out of 17 students had their grades lifted, which led to an overall result of 64 per cent of students getting A or B grades and 90 per cent getting grades A to C.

Melissa Hutchinson, who already had an A, had her mark raised to make her one of the five highest scoring students out of 19,269 student in the country.

The remarking of the school's GCSE art work led to 71 per cent getting grade C or higher compared with 56 per cent after the original marking.

In GCSE business studies four students were awarded higher grades.

Headteacher Carey Chidwick said she was delighted for the students and teachers.

"However, the fact that so many papers had to be remarked must raise serious questions about the competence of the exam boards.

"I am particularly concerned about the potential effect of inaccurate marking on A level students for whom one grade can decide whether or not they are accepted onto their chosen university careers."