This scandal is not about my child, although he was one of its casualties. So I’ll begin with his story – but I want it to speak for the thousands of young people who are betrayed every year by our appalling, dysfunctional examination system.

According to the exam regulator, Ofqual, two out of five teenagers taking certain A-levels will open their results tomorrow to find they have been given an “unreliable” grade. My heart goes out to them. I know all too well the pain that they and their parents will feel.

Exactly 12 months ago, we were enjoying a family holiday in Italy with my son and his friend. As A-level results day approached, there was a slight static of apprehension in the air, but no real cause for concern. Both boys had worked hard and were expected to do really well. A dropped grade here or there would make no difference to their university prospects. It felt like one of those blessed weeks when you are glad to be alive.

And then, one morning, we were woken as the door of our bedroom crashed open.

Our son was standing at the foot of the bed, holding out his laptop in front of him, a look of anguished incredulity on his young face. He had made his top predicted grades in two subjects, but in his best subject, drama, he got a C.