Exams timetables to accommodate Ramadan

The move has been considered since 2013, when the event, which shifts slightly each year, moved into the exam season. This year Ramadan will fall between the 6 June to 5 July.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) maintained most core exams had been set for before Ramadan started on 6 June, but there had been no large scale changes. Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to sit their exams between May 16 and June 29 this year.

Ramadan involves fasting during the daylight hours, including refraining from both food and water from dawn to dusk. However, many head teachers have voiced concerns that this may have a negative effect on exam performance.

Michael Turner, director of the JCQ, which represents exam boards, assured it had considered comments from a wide range of figures from religious groups, schools and colleges before making the decision.

He said: “The small window in which examinations can be taken, the large number of candidates taking examinations and the diverse range of subjects available to candidates, places significant limitations on the changes that can be accommodated for any one group.

"However, JCQ meets the needs of various groups as far as possible. JCQ and the qualifications regulator Ofqual have previously met with Muslim groups to discuss the timetabling of examinations in light of Ramadan moving into the examination period.

"Where possible, large-entry GCSE and GCE subjects are timetabled prior to the commencement of Ramadan and consideration given to whether they are timetabled in the morning or afternoon."

The new plans mean that subjects such as GCSE English and maths may be timetabled early in the exams season before Ramadan, or taken at a particular time of day to lessen the effect on students who might be fasting.

An Ofqual spokeswoman said the exam regulator had taken part in discussions about ‘the timing of Ramadan this year’ and supports ‘the steps JCQ and the exam boards are taking with respect to the timetabling of exams this summer’.

Secondary head teachers in the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) will be meeting Muslim groups to consider how they can work together to work out the logistics of the clash between Ramadan and the exam season.

Malcolm Trobe, ASCL deputy general secretary, said: "ASCL is meeting with Muslim faith leaders to discuss this year's Ramadan and plans to issue guidance for schools and colleges ahead of the summer exams season.

"The guidance will be non-prescriptive and will not advise families or students on how they should address the question of fasting during Ramadan, which we agree is a matter for the individuals concerned along with parents, carers and faith leaders.

"School and college leaders are very keen to work with communities to ensure young people are able to observe Ramadan without any detrimental impact on their examinations."