Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what resources they are providing to students to ensure equitable access to revision support prior to them taking exams.

Schools and colleges have autonomy to choose what resources to use or recommend to their individual pupils. It is for schools to decide which resources to use to help deliver their teaching of the National Curriculum or to complement pupils' understanding of the curriculum outside the classroom, including in circumstances when pupils are not under a teacher’s supervision.

Oak National Academy, a non-Departmental public body, provides resources in a range of subjects, including at GCSE level. These resources are optional, adaptable, and free for schools to use and are available at Oak’s online platform: https://www.thenational.academy/.

Oak is now developing improved curriculum packages in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, and music. The first new materials in those subjects will be available from September 2023 and full packages available from September 2024.

Schools also have access to the National Tuition Programme, which makes available subsidised tutoring to boost progress and support pupils’ education. Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children has always been at the forefront of the tuition programme’s purpose and schools are advised to prioritise Pupil Premium pupils when selecting those to receive tuition.

In summer 2023, GCSE, AS and A level examinations in England are largely returning to pre-pandemic arrangements. Pupils will not be provided with advance information of exam content, as was the case for examinations in 2022. Pupils will continue to be provided with formulae and equation sheets in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science examinations.