Thousands of NSW students due to begin their HSC trials amid lockdown have been offered reassurance adjustments will be made to ensure they aren’t disadvantaged.

With Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday announcing a two-week extension of lockdown, until July 30, schools in Sydney and its surrounds will continue with online learning.

As a result, the NSW Education Standards Authority said it is reconsidering requirements around some trial exams.

Schools can now postpone trial exams by a few weeks or provide an alternative assessment task suitable to be completed while learning from home, NESA chief executive Paul Martin said.

“Right now, our attention is on plans for the HSC oral language exams on 31 July and dance exams which are due to start on 2 August and we will issue further advice about these exams mid next week,” Mr Martin said.

“At this stage, we are planning for the drama, music and written exams and the marking of major works and projects to go ahead on schedule in a COVID safe way.”

NESA is also working with NSW Health and schools on contingency plans if the HSC exams, which begin in October, have to be cancelled.

“I want to say categorically that students will have the opportunity to receive the HSC this year,” Mr Martin said.

“Students should continue to focus on their studies and prioritise looking after their wellbeing.”

Students must learn from home where possible, but are allowed to attend schools to use specialist equipment to work on major projects or rehearse for performance exams, but must wear a mask.

Those whose ability to work on their major project or performance has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions will also be eligible to have their work assessed under the COVID illness/misadventure process.

NSW recorded 97 new local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday and at least 31 of them were circulating in the community during part of all of their infectious period.

AAP