The gap between the share of privately educated and state-educated students in England claiming extra time in GCSE and A-level exams has widened
Forty-two per cent of students enrolled in independent schools received extra time in the 2023-24 academic year, compared with 26 per cent of pupils in non-selective state schools, according to data published by Ofqual on Thursday.
The gap of 16 percentage points is the largest since England’s exam regulator began collecting data in 2018-19, when 26 per cent of private school students and 17 per cent of state school students claimed extra time for GCSEs and A-levels.
The system of access arrangements for exams, which is overseen by Ofqual, allows candidates to receive 25 per cent more time if they have a condition such as dyslexia or ADHD.
In a 60-minute exam, a student claiming extra time would have 75 minutes, for example. Students can receive more than 25 per cent extra time in extenuating circumstances.
Jon Andrews, head of analysis at the Education Policy Institute think-tank, said the data reflected how private schools had more resources than state counterparts to support students.
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