I support the option of offering alternative GCSE assessment methods alongside traditional written exams

At present, the majority of GCSEs rely heavily on reading and writing, unless a student qualifies for additional support. While reading and writing should remain part of the process, they should not be the only way a student can demonstrate understanding.

Some pupils would benefit from having questions read aloud, either via a computer or a trained invigilator, with the option to respond verbally using speech-to-text or recorded answers. This approach would prevent students from spending a disproportionate amount of time trying to read and interpret questions. For those who struggle with reading comprehension, understanding a single question can take up a substantial portion of the exam, meaning they may not finish the paper. This often leads to panic, skipped questions, and difficulty moving on, which then negatively impacts overall performance.

If this option had been available to me at school, GCSEs would have felt far more achievable. Offering flexible assessment methods would allow students to be assessed on their true understanding and ability, rather than on their capacity to process written text under exam pressure.