The students who are due to sit their GCSEs in 2025 are the last cohort to have experienced significant disruptions to their early education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Year 7, a critical time for building foundational knowledge in subjects like Science and Mathematics, these students faced school closures, remote learning challenges, and reduced classroom interaction. As a result, many of them missed out on vital learning opportunities, leaving gaps in their understanding that continue to affect their progress.

Furthermore they also experienced teacher strikes which may have caused gaps in the knowledge, this may even be  a reason why some students could be missing current content due to having to play catch up on previous content which would have been the foundation for GCSE students.

If these students are not provided with additional support, such as formula sheets during their GCSE exams, they may struggle to apply basic concepts, which could unfairly hinder their performance and future prospects. Without this support, there is a risk that their grades will not accurately reflect their true potential or effort, leading to long-term consequences such as limited access to further education and career opportunities. On the other hand, providing formula sheets would level the playing field, helping to ensure that their outcomes are a fair representation of their abilities.

Immediate action is crucial to address this issue before the 2025 exams. As the pandemic's impact on education becomes more evident, it is essential to take proactive steps to mitigate its long-term effects on students. By implementing this change now, we can provide these students with the tools they need to succeed, recognising the unique challenges they have faced. It is only fair to give them the support they need to overcome the educational disruptions caused by COVID-19 and to ensure that their GCSE results are a true reflection of their capabilities. Delaying this decision risks further disadvantaging an already vulnerable group, potentially widening the gap between them and other cohorts. The time to act is now to safeguard their educational outcomes and future.