Scotland’s exam body will give evidence this Friday on the response to the cancellation of this year’s exams.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will appear before the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee during its first virtual session.

Today and tomorrow teachers and pupils from across Scotland will also be asked for their views on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including what the consequences have been of cancelling the exams.

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Education secretary John Swinney announced last month that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, exams would not go ahead for the first time since 1888.

Coronavirus: What’s the impact of exam cancellations?

SQA guidance advises that teachers’ estimates will now be at the heart of the grading process.

However, the way in which those marks will be moderated has prompted teachers to raise concerns that some students - particularly those attending traditionally low attaining schools but who were on track to achieve good grades - could be disadvantaged.

Now Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee plans to investigate, beginning with hosting a number of focus groups with teachers in the early part of this week.

The Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot are canvassing opinions from pupils.

Last week, the committee announced plans to launch an inquiry into the effects of the outbreak on vulnerable children, writing to organisations for their thoughts on the matter, as well as asking Mr Swinney for data on school attendance and free school meal provision.

The education committee convener, the SNP’s Clare Adamson, said there was “uncertainty and fear” about what the cancellation of the 2020 exams would mean for students.

She added: “We have seen the people of Scotland respond as never before to the challenges we all currently face.

“We have seen communities come together in support of each other and friends and families connect in new ways.

“But we cannot ignore the impact that the current measures will be having on some of the most vulnerable children.”

Ms Adamson added: “Those living in poverty and deprivation, as well as those with additional support needs, may not be getting the support and services they most desperately need.

“Our committee wants to find out what more needs to be done to ensure that none of these children’s needs are missed as a result of this crisis.

“We also cannot forget that, for some young people, it feels like their futures have changed beyond imagination.”

Alongside its work on vulnerable young people and the cancellation of exams, the committee will also look into the impact on colleges and universities of funding gaps caused by the pandemic.