The UK's largest examination board is re-setting dozens of GCSE exam papers after a van carrying them was stolen.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) confirmed that it was re-setting the questions in 40 papers following the theft of the unmarked Parcel Force delivery van in Hertfordshire two weeks ago.
The van was being unloaded when an opportunist thief jumped into the driver's seat and made off with the valuable cargo.
Despite the van being recovered only a few hours the Police were unable to account for all of the papers, meaning the security of some of this summer's exams is compromised.
A spokesman for the board said: "Incidents like this are extremely rare. However, AQA takes all such cases very seriously.
"Protecting the integrity of our examinations and the interests of all candidates taking those examinations are our paramount concerns.
"All replacement papers are subject to our normal thorough quality assurance procedures and the regulator has been kept fully informed of our actions."
A spokesman for the new examinations regulator Ofqual said: "AQA has informed us that there has been a security breach, involving a number of examination papers.
"Ofqual is confident that AQA has taken the necessary steps to ensure that candidates will not be affected and that the integrity of the exams will not be compromised."
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Hertfordshire Police on 0845 3300222.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) confirmed that it was re-setting the questions in 40 papers following the theft of the unmarked Parcel Force delivery van in Hertfordshire two weeks ago.
The van was being unloaded when an opportunist thief jumped into the driver's seat and made off with the valuable cargo.
Despite the van being recovered only a few hours the Police were unable to account for all of the papers, meaning the security of some of this summer's exams is compromised.
A spokesman for the board said: "Incidents like this are extremely rare. However, AQA takes all such cases very seriously.
"Protecting the integrity of our examinations and the interests of all candidates taking those examinations are our paramount concerns.
"All replacement papers are subject to our normal thorough quality assurance procedures and the regulator has been kept fully informed of our actions."
A spokesman for the new examinations regulator Ofqual said: "AQA has informed us that there has been a security breach, involving a number of examination papers.
"Ofqual is confident that AQA has taken the necessary steps to ensure that candidates will not be affected and that the integrity of the exams will not be compromised."
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Hertfordshire Police on 0845 3300222.
