Hundreds of 14-year-olds in Bradford have finished this term without their expected English SATs results because of a marking 'nightmare'.

Whole year nine groups at a number of schools across the district have been told they will now get their Key Stage Three results when they go back to school in September.

Teachers were concerned the papers were not marked accurately and in some cases no marks were given. Many papers have been sent back to be re-marked.

Heather Scott, the raising achievement director at Challenge College, Frizinghall, said a page of answers was returned unmarked for 21 students.

"It's completely unacceptable so we've sent them back," she said.

"As a result we've had to be fair to the whole year and no results have been given out for English for 150 pupils.

"The marking system has been a nightmare and it's extremely disappointing for the students who've worked really hard.

"These students are tested and tested and tested, and they were told they would have their results in time for the summer but they've all been let down."

She said results were better this year in maths and science SATs so they had expected the same for English.

Helen Lynch, head teacher at Nab Wood School, Cottingley, said all of the 170 year nine students' papers were sent back.

"There were inconsistencies in the marking and we decided we had to send all of them back," she said.

"It's been one big headache but we wanted to ensure the pupils got the right results. It is disappointing."

Yesterday was the deadline for schools to appeal against any disputed results.

Students sat two papers - one reading and one writing. The problems stemmed from a revamp of the marking system which let examiners focus on either reading or writing papers rather than marking both.

Reports which went home to parents of pupils at Beckfoot School, Bingley, said: "At this stage we are unable to report levels for English as we are not satisfied with this year's marking process, and some results have still not been returned to school.

"We are asking the examination board to investigate. We will let you have the English SATs level in the autumn term once marks have been finalised."

Students at Heckmondwike Grammar School also went home without English results because of similar problems.

Earlier this week the National Assessment Agency (NAA), the new body set up to run England's testing system, apologised for the delays in returning the English results.

A spokesman for the NAA said: "The marking period was extended by a week to allow time to marry up the reading and writing marks and calculate an overall level for English. However, for some schools the process took longer than expected."