Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Department will consider the flow of the academic year and how exams are scheduled in light of extreme weather events.

The department has published guidance about hot weather and heatwaves and is available at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/hot-weather-and-heatwaves-guidance-for-schools-and-other-education-settings/. The guidance is based on UK Health Security Agency advice to support education settings. In most cases, schools remain the safest place for children during hot weather, as staff can monitor pupils, encourage hydration and take steps to keep them comfortable. Schools and colleges are expected to take reasonable steps to provide suitable conditions for students taking exams.

The exam timetable is designed to support the fair and efficient delivery of exams for students across England, and the timing of exams ensures that results are provided to pupils on time in August to support them to progress to further and higher education, employment and training.

Responsibility for the administration of GCSE, AS and A level qualifications, including arrangements for exam timetables and special consideration, rests with the independent awarding organisations. The department does, however, continue to work with Ofqual, awarding organisations, schools and colleges to support the safe and effective delivery of exams and to consider lessons learned from recent periods of extreme weather.