WRITE TO YOUR MP
Ask your MP to support fairer exams and fairer futures
Writing to your MP is one of the most powerful ways to support the campaign.
MPs need to hear how the current exam system affects young people in their constituencies. Your message can help put fairer English and maths assessment on the political agenda—and it only takes a few minutes.
HOW TO WRITE TO YOUR MP
Step 1: Visit WriteToThem.com and enter your postcode.
Step 2: Select your Member of Parliament.
Step 3: Copy and paste our template letter below.
Step 4: Personalise it. Add your own experience or explain why this issue matters to you.
Step 5: Send your message.
Please include your postcode. MPs normally use it to confirm that you live in their constituency.
TEMPLATE LETTER
Subject: Please support the Fairer Exams campaign
Dear [MP NAME],
I am writing as one of your constituents to ask you to support the Fairer Exams campaign.
Every year, around one third of young people leave school without achieving a grade 4 or above in both GCSE English and maths. For many, this creates a barrier to college courses, apprenticeships, employment and future opportunities.
Fairer Exams is not asking for standards to be lowered. We are asking for young people to have a fairer, more practical way to demonstrate the same essential English and maths skills.
An alternative route already exists: Functional Skills. These are recognised English and maths qualifications, but they are too often offered only after a young person has failed GCSE. By then, many learners have lost confidence or missed valuable opportunities.
Please will you write to the Secretary of State for Education and ask the Government to consider the Fairer Exams manifesto?
We are asking for:
- Functional Skills English and maths to be available from Year 10 alongside GCSEs
- Functional Skills Level 2 to count equally with GCSE English and maths in school performance measures
- Students who narrowly miss grade 4 to be able to progress to suitable Level 3 courses while continuing to study English and maths
- Compulsory GCSE resits for grade 3 learners to end, with Functional Skills offered as an alternative route
- Functional Skills-style assessment to be incorporated into GCSE English and maths over the longer term
- SEND specialists to be involved in the design of exams
- Equal recognition for every learner who demonstrates the required English and maths skills
I would be grateful if you could tell me whether you support these proposals and how you intend to take this matter forward.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR POSTCODE]
WHY ARE WE CONTACTING MPs?
Too many young people are being failed by an exam system that does not give everyone a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they know.
Fairer Exams is calling for practical, recognised Functional Skills English and maths qualifications to be offered from Year 10 alongside GCSEs.
We also want Functional Skills to receive equal recognition in school performance measures, to be available as an alternative to compulsory GCSE resits and, over time, for Functional Skills-style assessment to be incorporated into GCSE English and maths.
This is not about making exams easier.
It is about making them fairer.
Same skills. Different format. Better outcomes.
MAKE YOUR MESSAGE MORE POWERFUL
Make it personal
Explain why the campaign matters to you.
If you or your child has experienced GCSE resits, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, anxiety, processing difficulties, working-memory challenges, school avoidance or exam stress, consider explaining the effect this has had.
You do not need to share anything you are uncomfortable making known.
Keep it clear
Say that you support the Fairer Exams campaign and want English and maths assessment to become fairer, more practical and more accessible.
Make one clear request
Ask your MP to write to the Secretary of State for Education and raise the Fairer Exams manifesto.
Be respectful
A clear, personal and courteous message is more likely to receive a considered response.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Once you have written to your MP:
- Ask friends and family to contact theirs
- Share this page in your school and community WhatsApp groups
- Tell us when you receive a response
- Sign and share the official petition