Examination schools busy: exams at the Eastern School canceled

Pro-Palestinian protesters belonging to an autonomous group occupied a room at the Eastern School in the exam schools before the start of some exams. The exams, which were to take place this morning at the Ecole de l’Est, have been canceled.

Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) announced this on their Instagram saying: “They need support outside of exam schools. » It is unclear whether this autonomous group is related to OA4P. Some OA4P protesters express their support in front of exam schools.

Around six protesters can be seen inside the exam schools, waving pro-Palestinian flags and hanging exam papers from the windows. A student said Cherwell that a first group spent the night in the examination schools and that a second group of around twenty people “with masks and backpacks” tried to enter the building.

The doors of the exam schools have been locked and students are not allowed to enter or leave the marquee where they wait to go to their exams. The exams taking place this morning include preliminary and final exams.

Students were informed there would be a “slight delay” and exams at East School were cancelled. Other exams taking place elsewhere in the exam schools will still take place.

Police are present inside exam schools and arrests have been made.

An Oxford University spokesperson said Cherwell: “The University is disappointed by the occupation of exam schools this morning and the absolutely unacceptable disruption caused to our students. We are putting contingency plans in place to ensure that all students will have the opportunity to take their exams with as little disruption as possible. It is not clear who represents the occupation group, as they claim to operate without the knowledge of the OA4P camps. Although the University supports the right to peaceful protest within the law and our rules, this action clearly exceeds the bounds of acceptable protest.

Thames Valley Police have been contacted for comment.