Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what examination support they are providing to school pupils whose studies have been disrupted as a result of their school being impacted by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Every school or college with confirmed RAAC has been assigned dedicated support from caseworkers and project delivery teams are also on hand to support with implementing mitigation plans.

Every case is unique and the impact on schools and colleges can be varied. The department will work with schools and colleges to put in place a bespoke plan based on their circumstances. In some cases, there is no impact on teaching space or it is limited to small areas. For others, mitigation plans can include using other spaces on the school site or locally until building works are carried out or temporary buildings are installed.

Alongside Ofqual, the department has also asked awarding organisations to be as flexible as possible within the confines of their processes and regulations, for example by agreeing longer extensions to coursework and non-exam assessment deadlines so that affected schools and colleges have as much time as possible to complete this important part of students' learning and qualifications. In the case of vocational and technical qualifications, it may be considering if students can take the assessment in a future assessment opportunity.

Furthermore, students taking GCSE exams in 2024 will be provided with enhanced formulae and equation sheets so they will not need to memorise the usual formulae and equations for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science, as they would in a normal year.