Further Strike Action Threatens AQA Summer Exam Series

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), England’s largest exam board, faces renewed industrial action as unions announce further strikes threatening to disrupt the summer examination series. This development adds pressure to the examination system responsible for delivering millions of GCSE and A-level results to students across the country, including those within Wiltshire’s schools and colleges. While AQA has given assurances that results will be issued on schedule regardless of industrial action, the prospect of disruption during the examination period raises significant operational concerns for headteachers and local authorities. Lead Members for Children’s Services should note the potential impact on vulnerable learners, particularly those with Special Educational Needs who may require additional support or adapted arrangements during examinations. This situation underscores the importance of robust contingency planning within local education systems and highlights wider workforce pressures affecting the education sector. As corporate parents and education leaders, cabinet members may need to consider how local partnerships can support schools in managing any resultant uncertainty, ensuring that young people’s progression routes remain protected during this critical period in the academic calendar.