The Scottish Qualifications Authority is exploring whether to reschedule exams due to take place on what will now be an extra bank holiday to mark King Charles III’s coronation.
A 2023 SQA exam timetable was published in August, showing exams running from 24 April to 31 May 2023. There is also a “contingency day” on Thursday 1 June.
Last Sunday, however, it was announced that an extra bank holiday would take place on Monday 8 May, two days after King Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May.
There are nine SQA exams due to take place on Monday 8 May 2023: six in German (two each at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher); and three in design and manufacture (one each at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher).
When Tes Scotland asked what the impact of the new bank holiday would be on these exams, an SQA spokesperson said: “Discussions regarding the bank holiday to mark the King’s coronation are ongoing, and centres and candidates with examinations scheduled for Monday 8 May 2023 will be given notice of any changes to the exam timetable well in advance.”
The new bank holiday has also led to a scheduling problem in England. The Department for Education has said that schools should close on 8 May, even though Sats tests week starts that day.
In an email sent to headteachers on Tuesday, the DfE said that the Standards and Testing Agency would update schools as to what this means for Sats test week “as soon as possible this month”.
