- Pupils to be told 'Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy'
- Ramadan falls in the middle of the GCSE and A-Level exam period
- It means thousands of pupils could face sitting tests with empty stomachs
- Schools have been urged to move revision classes and reschedule sports days
- They have also been asked to provide prayer rooms during the period
A new report also suggests that schools should also 'show sensitivity' when organising graduation celebrations and change PE lesson plans to make sure that activities are 'less strenuous'.
Ramadan falls at the end of May this year and will last for approximately one month meaning it will clash with GCSE and A Level exams across the country.
During the period Muslims who have reached 'maturity' are required to go without food or drink - including water - during sunlight hours.
It means that thousands of pupils could face sitting exams with empty stomachs in warm exam rooms at the height of summer when Britain gets an average of 16 hours of daylight.
Ramadan falls at the end of May this year and will last for approximately one month meaning it will clash with GCSE and A Level exams across the country. Pictured left are Muslims praying (stock photo)
The pamphlet has been published by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents more than 18,000 head teachers and college leaders.
It recommends teenagers should not stay up late praying during this summer's exam period because 'extra devotions in Ramadan are voluntary' and performing well at school is 'obligatory'.
The report - which was authored by 'inclusion specialist' Anna Cole - warns: 'Young people should be made aware that Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy.'
It also says that despite a 'combination of long days, higher temperatures as well as examinations' putting extra pressure on young Muslims, many will still opt to participate in Ramadan.
The ASCL research paper concludes that primary-aged children should not fast and makes a series of recommendations to secondary school head teachers to 'ease the pressure' on Muslim students.
The guidance has been published by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents more than 18,000 head teachers and college leaders
It advises invigilators to avoid suggesting to students that they have a 'tiny sip of water' while sitting in hot exam rooms unless there is concern that they are suffering from dehydration.
Schools are also asked to provide prayer rooms as well as to make sure exam rooms are in the shade with fans and bottles of water available.
But the guidance starkly warns: 'If a student taking an exam is showing any signs that they may be dehydrated, such as a headache or drowsiness, they should be advised to terminate the fast immediately by drinking some water.'
In this instance, staff are told to 'inform pupils of the allowances Islam gives for them to break the fast and make it up later if they feel fasting will in any way jeopardise their performance'.
They are also advised to 'discuss with students whether they would prefer revision lessons to be in the morning or afternoon'.
The start date of Ramadan shifts by approximately 11 days every year and its precise timing is determined by the lunar cycle (stock photo)
It continues: 'School and college leaders will also want to consider the possible impact fasting and late night prayers during Ramadan may have on Muslim children when setting dates for other activities, such as sports days, trips and celebrations.'
The paper - which the authors hope will be a 'positive opportunity for engagement - was devised in consultation with scholars from across the spectrum of Islamic religion.
The guidelines state: 'Observing Ramadan may bring many benefits to individuals and communities, but also has the potential to cause the individual temporary hardship through hunger and lack of liquids during fasting hours which may impact on physical wellbeing and cognitive performance.
'Young Muslims and families, particularly those sitting exams this summer, will need to balance their obligations as Muslims with their studies and the importance of examinations for their future, noting that the pursuit of education is also a religious and moral duty for Muslims of both genders.
There are some exemptions to Ramadan, for women on their periods, those who are ill or those experiencing 'hardship' - but generally all Muslims past the age of puberty take part.
The paper was devised in consultation with scholars from across the spectrum of Islamic religion (stock photo)
The start date shifts by approximately 11 days every year and its precise timing is determined by the lunar cycle.
Last year was the first time Ramadan clashed with exams since the 1980s and the situation is likely to continue until at least 2019.
The ASCL report adds: There is no doubt that Ramadan falling during the exam season will put extra pressure on young Muslims, whatever decision they make, especially with the length of the fast over the next few years.'
Last year, a primary school trust banned Muslim pupils from fasting during Ramadan claiming the tradition was harmful to the health of young children.
Barclay Primary School in Leyton, east London, issued a letter to parents informing them that it would not allow children attending school to fast in order to 'safeguard the health and education of the child'.
In the letter, the acting head said children would not be able to fast without meeting with him first.
The move was slammed by members of the Muslim community who said schools should seek to support parents instead of 'blanket enforce' their own rules when it came to religion.
The ASCL report's author Anna Cole told MailOnline: 'The key messages are that Ramadan is very important to young Muslims but so are exams.'
She added: 'The paper's been so carefully written to balance that for some people they think it could be detrimental and they may wish to exempt themselves.
'For others they may feel very energised during Ramadan, they may feel closer to God, so there's a whole range of views.
'It's difficult to distill this and that's why the paper is so carefully written as a whole.'
Ramadan: Strict rules forbid eating and drinking during sunlight hours
As with fasting in other religious traditions, Ramadan seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify oneself.
Muslims often donate to charities and feed the hungry during Ramadan. Many spend more time at mosques and use their downtime to recite the Quran.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity, and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for the entire month of Ramadan. A single sip of water or a puff of a cigarette is enough to invalidate the fast.
Muslims often donate to charities and feed the hungry during Ramadan. Many spend more time at mosques and use their downtime to recite the Quran (stock photo)
However, Muslim scholars say it's not enough to just avoid food and drinks during the day. Muslims are encouraged to avoid gossip and arguments. Sexual intercourse is also forbidden during the daytime fast.
Just before the fast, Muslims have a pre-dawn meal of power foods to get them through the day, the 'suhoor.'
Egyptians eat mashed fava beans spiced with cumin and olive oil, while in Lebanon and Syria, popular suhoor food is flatbread with thyme, cheese or yogurt.
In Afghanistan, people eat dates and dumplings stuffed with potato and leeks.
In the most northern parts of Europe, where the sun does not set or rise for many weeks in peak summer, Muslims observe Ramadan according to the daylight hours of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, or nearby Muslim countries.
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