TWO Bolton school children have won a battle to ensure that future youngsters who fall seriously ill during exams do not lose out as they did.

Philip Gibson and Ainsley Kenyon both became sick early in their GCSE exams.

Although both were seriously ill - Philip with bone cancer and Ainsley with a benign brain tumour - they were not allowed to gain proper grades, because they completed less than 35pc of their examinations in key subjects.

Instead of the 10 good GCSEs they were expected to pick up, they got a clutch of mediocre results with unclassified grades for half the exams.

Their parents wrote to local MPs David Crausby and Ruth Kelly, who took up the issue in the Commons.

They called for extra flexibility in exceptional circumstances, so that in future such pupils could receive grades.

The two Bolton youngsters were unable to do so because they were undergoing intensive anti-cancer therapy at the time of their examinations.

Now, Bolton North East MP Mr Crausby has received a reply from the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance which has been discussing the matter with the GCSE examining bodies and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

The letter says that while there could be no retrospective changes, "the examining bodies will attempt to make some provision for candidates in the year 2000 examinations, and subsequently who suffer illness without having completed 35pc of the examinable work.

"The provision is likely to take the form of an examination of alternative evidence, perhaps in the form of mock examination scripts or other work completed under examination conditions during the course.

"Details have yet to be finalised and circulated to schools and colleges. The circulation of this information is likely to be a joint venture between QCA and the GCSE examining bodies."

Mr Crausby and Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly are delighted at the change of heart, even though the two Canon Slade pupils will not benefit.

Mr Crausby said: "The letter from the AQA informing me of changes to the rules for candidates in the year 2000 examinations is fantastic news, and a victory for common sense.

"Although it is too late to help Philip and Ainsley, it will help other children who develop life threatening illnesses facing the same heartbreak.

"I spoke to Philip's father Brian Gibson recently, and he was very pleased. He says Philip is recovering well.

"The AQA have clearly listened and shown compassion in this matter. While we all know that rules must be adhered to, there should always be room for judgement and in this case the rules should be flexible enough to accommodate special circumstances, especially in exceptional cases such as when serious illness is involved.

"The worry of exams is a difficult time for fit and healthy pupils. Imagine the trauma and heartbreak of pupils who have studied and prepared over months and years, who then unfortunately fall ill with serious illness."

"I am very, very, pleased that the AQA have decided to make changes to the rules, although details have yet to be finalised and circulated to schools and colleges. It is reassuring to know that future candidates who find themselves in these rare and potentially tragic circumstances will not face the same heartbreak as Philip and Ainsley."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.