Published: Saturday, 6th February, 2010 9:00am

Claim student grade A cheat

by Callum Brodie

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A FORMER Langley Grammar School student has been suspended from Oxford University in disgrace amid allegations that he invented an astonishing seven A grade A-Levels.

In the first-ever case of its kind Parmbir Gill, 21, managed to dupe admissions bosses at one of the world's most famous universities and was granted a place at the prestigious Lady Margaret Hall after claiming that he had achieved a total of ten As in his A-Level exams - when in fact he had just three, all of them after re-sits.

It is alleged that the Slough student, who achieved three Bs in maths, economics and religious studies in 2007, was able to cheat the system by doctoring his UCAS application two years after leaving the Reddington Drive school.

The oversight only became apparent when Mr Gill started to struggle on the highly challenging economics and management degree and tutors, who had selected him as one of only three successful applicants for a place on the course, became suspicious and contacted his former school.

Peter Dale-Gough, local authority governor at Langley Grammar, said: "I'm staggered that a first class university like Oxford would not perform basic checks before accepting a student. I was under the impression that the UCAS form had to be signed by the school but it seems that this student has found a way around that.

"Of course there is no excuse for cheating, it is completely unacceptable, but I am amazed it has managed to go so far."

University chiefs have been left facing further embarrassment after it was revealed that Mr Gill also had the audacity to make money from prospective Oxbridge students by signing up as the 'main tutor' for website, Sucedo.com, which charges up to £950 for induction courses and interview coaching.

A spokeswoman for Oxford University confirmed that an investigation was ongoing, although there are presently no plans to involve police.

She said: "'Whilst it is impossible to eliminate the risk of fraudulent behaviour altogether, one of the aspects of Oxford which helps to minimise the risks of fraudulent behaviour going undetected is its intensive selection and teaching system."

Langley Grammar School staff refused to comment on the matter.