Problems with my new MacBook Air M1

Return that Mac for a full refund, and buy another one from Apple. Start here: Official Apple Support

You have 14 days from the purchase date to return this MBA for either a full refund or a replacement.

You can talk with either. I suggest you try Apple first. Explain the issue and see what they tell you that should be your next steps.

keian272 wrote:

Do you think I could get a replacement without proof of purchase? My school have the receipts but I just want to get it sorted and I assume apple have info on the laptop to see when it was first activated etc. Might be a stupid question but just thought I'd ask

If the school owns the computer return it to the school. They will have to deal with returns/repairs if they are the owner of the computer.

keian272 wrote:

i got it through a bursary so the school brought it on my behalf for me to use when I go university so technically I own it but I don’t have the receipts

We are users like you. We are not Apple. We are not the store. We are not the school. You need to contact whoever owns the computer. Without proof of ownership, no one will give you a refund/replacement. Think of how easy it would be to be a thief, steal computers, then ask for refunds/replacements if no receipt or proof of ownership was required.