Pupils at a secondary school say they were pulled out of an A-level exam for an assembly which told them the school term was ending a day early.

Year 13 students sitting art and photography exams at Invicta Grammar School were denied a scheduled break and told to attend the special gathering where teachers announced it was their last day - 24 hours earlier than planned.

They were then told to return to their exam but the disruption meant pupils faced a final three-hour session, instead of the planned two, to make up for lost time.

One photography student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she and her classmates were then denied their final chance to say goodbye to their friends as they left the assembly - because they had to return to the exam.

She said: "Everyone was crying so it definitely wasn't the send off they've made it out to be."

The exam day was meant to be split into three sessions - two hours, one hour then two hours, split up by two breaks.

However, the assembly was held when the third hour should have been, meaning students had to complete their final three hours without a break, although some protested and had lunch anyway.

Another pupil added: "My friends were told the assembly was their break in between exams and they were meant to go straight back in, but no one did because they hadn't had a proper lunchtime.

"One girl sobbed to our head of year and her art teacher."

Students believe the early finish could be a bid to avoid muck up day pranks, which caused another Maidstone school to cancel their prom.

A spokesman for the Huntsman Lane school said: "Photography and art students attended our celebratory assembly in a standard break during their examination.

"All students going back into exams following the assembly were checked by staff, and were calm and well.

"Everyone was crying so it definitely wasn't the send off they've made it out to be..." Invicta Grammar School pupil

"It is our priority to ensure our students are happy, supported and well-looked after, at all times."

Head teacher Julie Derrick said: "The celebratory assembly enabled students and staff to recall memories of their time at Invicta and enjoy speeches, photographs, videos and good luck messages.

"Students were informed study leave would commence from that day onwards. This will allow them as much time as possible for personal study to prepare for their A level exams, many of which have already started.

“The news was received well by all Year 13 students, who participated in the assembly with enthusiasm and positivity, and then enjoyed a celebratory ice cream with their friends, courtesy of the school.

“The only tears we saw were ones of happiness and emotion at coming to the end of their school journey.

"We wish them all the very best for their exams and in the future, and we look forward to seeing them imminently for revision sessions that are planned over the coming days.”

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