Malvern Hills district councillor Samantha Charles paid tribute to staff and students including her daughter Laura, who collected her results from The Chase School.

Mrs Charles said: “This cohort of students have missed out on all those important rights of passage, like GCSE exams, the leavers’ prom, the last day of school including shirt signing and meeting up with their friends over a relaxed summer to celebrate this important stage in their lives.

“The government has shortchanged our young people by their failings in the handling of the Covid pandemic crisis, frequently changing schools guidance and the disastrous algorithm for exam grading.

“The last minute U-turn on teacher assessed grades was welcomed but caused untold stress and anxiety for students and teachers alike. We must make sure this never happens again.”