The education secretary Bridget Phillipson has called on Ofqual to investigate why nearly twice as many independent school pupils are receiving extra time in exams compared to those in non-selective state schools, the Daily Mail has reported.

On the BBC’s Newsnight programme Phillipson said: “I am concerned about the difference that you see there… and this is something that I’ve discussed with the regulator.”

The number of pupils being given extra time to complete GCSE and A-level exams because of special needs has risen by more than 42% over four years. Extra time is granted to pupils who have learning difficulties or disabilities, and eligible pupils must either have an education, health and care plan or must score low in a specially designed test which includes the speed of writing, reading and cognitive processing.