Over 50% students would revise in school after hours

Online revision platform Save My Exams has found that 53% of students feel at a disadvantage compared to their peers because of where - and how - they revise. 

Save My Exams surveyed over 1,000 UK students in 2026, focusing on their revision environments and the barriers they face when preparing for GCSE and A Level exams.

The survey found that 40% are regularly disrupted by noise at home and 22% of students don't have access to a quiet space every day.

A lack of desk or workspace at home affects one in seven students (13%), meaning some students are revising without even having a proper surface to write on.

Fifty-six per cent, meanwhile, would use school spaces outside of normal hours if they could.

Caregiving responsibilities, such as looking after younger siblings or other dependents, disrupt one in 12 students (8%). 

Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Schools work hard to provide all the learning resources and support pupils need to access the full curriculum and maximise their progress within school.

“However, as this study highlights, it is a different story for some young people at home – be it because they might not have a quiet working space or desk, a device suitable for learning, or a stable internet connection.

"Some students may also face additional responsibilities, for example, young carers for family members with health conditions whose caring role means they have less time to focus on homework or revision.

"The provision of more quiet workspaces with adult support for those who may not have these things would have real benefits. While the data shows that many students would feel most comfortable using a space in their school out of hours, schools would need the funding and resources to set up such provision.”