The coronavirus outbreak has greatly effected people in full-time and part-time education. After missing out on six months of education, the prospect of having to sit formal examinations appears daunting and unfair.

Despite the reopening of schools and universities in September, education is just not the same. After having to teach ourselves almost a quarter of our GCSE and A-level courses we have returned to schools that are not the same as they were when we left.

Due to the rise in positive coronavirus tests many students are having to isolate for two weeks on a regular basis because of the contact tracing initiative causing them to miss out on further education. Despite the best efforts of schools, it appears that the herculean task of attempting to reteach students aspects of their courses on top of new content is an exercise in futility.

Ultimately, the time that we lost from our learning in 2020 has had too profound an effect on students to sit exams, it would simply be unfair and the grades achieved would not be a true reflection of the ability of students but rather a reflection of the disastrous handling of the pandemic by the government.

On behalf of all students sitting exams this year, I would like to request an alternative method of assessment to formal examinations so to ensure just results for all students.