Exam boards and schools have been told to make arrangements for an outbreak in Britain

Plans will be drawn up by schools and exam boards to cope if coronavirus disrupts GCSE and A-level exams.

Guidance from Ofqual, the exams regulator, says they must have emergency contingency plans in place.

Exams may have to take place in alternative venues or be arranged for ill teenagers to sit them on a different date, it suggests.

Given the spread of the virus it is likely that boards and schools will already be considering alternative plans for this summer.

Existing guidance on emergency planning says schools would need to ensure the secure transportation of questions, papers or assessment materials to the alternative venue, something that could prove problematic for schools that have to observe strict protocols to avoid any accusations of allowing children to