Strike Action Threatens Summer Exam Series at England’s Largest Board

Industrial action at AQA, England's largest exam board, is set to escalate with union members planning strikes that could affect the summer examination series. The disputes centre on pay and working conditions for staff responsible for processing millions of GCSE, A-level and vocational qualification papers each year. Whilst the union has warned of potential disruption, AQA has moved to reassure schools, colleges and students that no results will be delayed as a consequence of the industrial action. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the assessment sector and raises questions about resilience in the qualifications system during the critical summer examination period. This development comes at a crucial point in the academic calendar, with thousands of students across England preparing to sit assessments that determine their progression to further education, higher education and employment. Local authorities and education leaders will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure vulnerable students, including those with SEND and care-experienced young people, are not disproportionately affected by any operational challenges at the board.