Aren't we being a bit hasty in blaming the FE? The CAA's administrators are human too, could it not also be true that the FE's last renewal was recorded incorrectly?
Either way, this is likely to be an honest mistake, and if it's the FE's, I'm certain he will be sufficiently mortified to make amends. Small comfort for the og, as no-one likes doing tests, even if you are sure that you will pass.
As a side note, my FTO used to have a large whiteboard on public display that showed all of the expiration dates/hours to next check for the club aircraft and instructor/FE licences. Quite a simple way to keep track (although not so helpful if a non-club FE is used).