PUPILS at a North-East school are facing a lengthy delay in sitting a GCSE exam after their teacher was sacked over concerns raised by parents.

Education chiefs confirmed last night that a science teacher at Hummersknott School and Language College, in Darlington, had been dismissed from his post.

The teacher, who has not been named, was the subject of complaints from parents to headteacher Pat Howarth about the teaching of some units on the science course.

Now, it has emerged that Mr Howarth wrote a letter to parents, revealing that the staff member in question had left the school - and that extra sessions were being arranged to help pupils catch up.

He said that a number of parents had been in touch to express their concerns.

Mr Howarth wrote: "These (concerns) were already evident to the acting head of science early last term, who took the appropriate action with the teacher concerned.

"Unfortunately this action has resulted in the member of staff concerned leaving the school. We have therefore had to bring in another teacher to cover the class."

The letter said pupils now needed more time to prepare for a general science exam, which was due to be taken next month, and that it should be held in the summer instead.

Mr Howarth continued: "This will enable us to organise additional revision classes after school.

"I am sorry that this situation has arisen but can assure you that swift action was taken as soon as it became apparent."

Yesterday, a parent of one of the affected pupils, who asked not to be named, said: "It's dreadful at a time like this, when there is a lot of stress on youngsters, that they're having to face this delay."

No one from the school was available for comment last night, but the local educational authority confirmed the sacking.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "I can confirm that a teacher has been dismissed.

"The decision was a matter for the governing body and, of course, it can still be appealed against.