Caroline Ansell has raised with the Prime Minister the plight of a cancer-stricken Eastbourne student who might not gain the GCSEs she has studied for as she undergoes gruelling treatment.
Lara Kyprianou-Hickman, 16, will instead only be given a certificate of recognition if she can’t sit the exams after her diagnosis a month ago.
A petition calling for pupils like Lara to be given teacher-assessed grades now has gained more than 4,000 signatures.
Caroline asked Rishi Sunak in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday if he could help.
“At the height of the pandemic, centre-assessed grades allowed our young people to move forward with their lives,” she told MPs.
“Lara, my very brave young constituent, is now battling cancer and will not sit the GCSE exams that she has worked so hard for, and could be left with only a certificate of recognition.
“In exceptional circumstances such as these, why can the same principle not apply? Would my right honourable friend the Prime Minister look compassionately at this situation?"
In reply Rishi Sunak said: “May I start by sending my best wishes to Lara and thanking my honourable friend for raising her case in Parliament.
“Of course, it is incredibly upsetting and challenging for children and young people to be diagnosed with a serious illness, especially so close to their exams.
“There are allowances that are made, and in the first instance students will speak to their school or college to make those reasonable adjustments, but I will be happy to ensure that we work with my honourable friend to find a resolution in Lara’s case.”
Speaking afterwards Caroline added: “I thank the PM for his kind words and offer to help work with me on this case.
“Together with the schools minister, we will find a way forward for Lara.
“A brilliant campaign has been started by Lara’s friends, family and teachers and I am 100% behind them - there’s an important, fairer, more compassionate system to fight for here.
“Since Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, I have had many MPs get in touch to express their support for the change and I will take the debate forward in Parliament.”
