Bristol[]
(Also check Somerset and Gloucestershire sections as there might be some overlap)
The JCQ updated list of centres that accept private candidates for GCSEs is here. https://www.jcq.org.uk/private-candidates/
3A Tutors 1A High Street, Staple Hill, Bristol, BS16 5HA. Tel: 0117 910 9931. Email: enquiries@3at.org.uk Most exam boards. GCSE, IGCSE, A level and Functional Skills (maths). Mock exams. Can accommodate orals for foreign languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic and Chinese are listed on website). Provides A level science practical endorsements through the University of Bristol. Good reputation among home educators.
Bristol Youth Education Service Tel: 0117 973 9744. Email: information@youtheducationservice.org.uk Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths to external candidates. Might have age restrictions.
Western Tutorial College 7 Brislington Hill, Bristol, BS4 5BE Tel: 0117 971 9602 Email: exams@westerntutorialcollege.co.uk According to the JCQ list for 2023 exams this centre accepts private candidates for AQA GCSEs. No further information is known.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
.....
AQA also lists the following centres in Bristol for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Belgrave School, The Willows,159 Four Acres, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8RA. Tel: 0117 974 3133. Email: info@belgrave-school.org
City Academy, Russell Town Avenue, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9JH. Tel: 0117 941 3800. Email: cabinfo@clf.uk
Cambridge board also lists the following centre in Bristol for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Somerset[]
Taunton International School/Taunton School Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD. Tel: 01823 703 703. Email: enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk Any board, any subject, eg CIE, Edexcel, but usually only offer summer exams. They are offering Autumn 2021 exams though.
Tutors & Exams Hi-Point, First Floor Offices, Thomas Street, Taunton, TA2 6HB. Multiple boards. (I)GCSEs, A levels and other qualifications. part of a chain.
Weston College, Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2AL. Tel: 01934 411 411. According to the JCQ updated list for 2023 exams this centre accepts private candidates for AQA GCSEs. It is also a CAIE-listed exam centre. No further details are known.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
St Katherines School Ham Green, North Somerset BS20 0HU, Tel: 01275 373737. Wasn't accepting students in 2016. (This school is still on the list of CAIE exam centres accepting private candidates, so worth checking each year}
Monkton Combe School, Church Lane Monkton Combe, Bath, Avon BA2 7HG, Tel 01225 721 102. This school was previously very supportive of home educators, but announced that May 2019 were the last exams they could support. Exams officer is Mr Simon Robinson, email: robinsons@monkton.org.uk
AQA also lists the following centres in Somerset for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Bath Academy, 27 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HX. Tel: 01225 334 577. Email: info@bathacademy.co.uk (This is also a CAIE-listed exam centre)
Hayesfield Girls' School and Mixed Sixth Form, Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3LA. Tel: 01225 403 215. Email: information@hayesfield.com
Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8PD . Tel: 01823 428 909. Email: office@heathfieldcommunityschool.co.uk
King Arthur's School, West Hill, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9BX. Tel: 01963 32368. Email: office@kingarthurs.org.uk (This is also a CAIE-listed exam centre)
Mark College, Blackford Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4NP. Tel: 01278 641 632. Email: markcollege@priorygroup.com (No specific website found)
Sexey's School, Cole Road, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0DF. Tel: 01749 813 393. Email: reception@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk
Taunton School, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD. Tel: 01823 703 703. Email: enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk
The Mendip Studio School, c/o Writhlington School, Knobsbury Lane, Writhlington, Radstock, BA3 3NQ. Tel: 01761 438 560. Email: enquiries@mendipstudioschool.org.uk
Writhlington School Academy, Knobsbury Lane, Writhlington, Radstock, BA3 3NQ . Tel: 01761 433 581 / 438 560. Contact form here
Cambridge board also lists the following centres in Somerset for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Sidcot School Oakridge Lane, Winscombe,North Somerset,BS25 1PD. Tel: 01934 843102. Email: info@sidcot.org.uk
Gloucestershire[]
Gloucester and Forest AP School , Russet House, 35 Russett Close Tuffley, Gloucester, GL4 0RQ. Tel:(01452) 528955. russell.clemow@gfaps.gloucs.sch.uk According to the JCQ updated list for 2023 exams this centre accepts private candidates for AQA GCSEs.
Henley Bank High School Mill Lane, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4QF. Tel: 01452 863372. Email:admin@henleybankhighschool.co.uk The exam officer was Phil Vaughan. They did offer ICT IGCSE (including practical). No current info, Aug 2021.
The King's School, Gloucester Pitt Street, Gloucester,GL1 2BG. Tel: 01452 337337. Email: office@thekingsschool.co.uk The school's exams policy here states "A small number of private candidates are accepted, at the discretion of the EO, primarily for GCSE or IGCSE in core subjects. Occasionally a candidate may be accepted for A Level entry."
Wotton House International School Wotton House, Horton Road, Gloucester, GL1 3PR. Tel: 01452 764248. Email: exams@iveuk.com This is their webpage for private candidates https://www.wottonhouseschool.co.uk "We are an approved exam centre for AQA, Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge and we accept entries from private candidates. Not all subjects are available to private candidates. Those subjects with coursework elements or practical assessments are not available at our centre. We can take entries for GCSEs, IGCSEs and A levels. We cannot take entries for Edexcel’s International A levels (IAL). The main subjects we do are English Language, English Literature and Maths, but we can accommodate other subjects. We charge a centre administration fee which covers all our administration such as providing information prior to entry, making entries, our registration with the exam boards, invigilation and provision of results and appeals services. This fee is currently £195 per qualification [2022]. This fee is in addition to the exam board’s entry fees, the JCQ updated list for 2023 exams this centre accepts private candidates for AQA GCSEs."
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Wycliffe College Ryeford Hall, Ebley Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 2LD. Have previously accepted home-educated external candidates for IGCSEs. Also do American SAT testing (Not accepting private candidates in summer 2021)
Cirencester Deer Park School Stroud Road,Cirencester,Gloucestershire,GL7 1XB. Tel: 01285 653447. Were helpful to private candidates in the past. (Not accepting private candidates in summer 2021)
AQA also lists the following centres in Gloucestershire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Wootton House International School (was Gloucestershire International School), Wotton House, Horton Road, Gloucester, Glos, GL1 3PR. Tel: 01452 764 248.
Stroud High School, Beards Lane, Cainscross Road, Stroud, Glos, GL5 4HF. Tel: 01453 764 441.
Tewkesbury School, Ashchurch Road, Newtown, Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 8DF. Tel: 01684 292 152.
Westonbirt School, Tetbury, Glos, GL8 8QG. Tel: 01666 880 333 / 881 313.
Cambridge board also lists the following centres in Gloucestershire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Abbey View School The Old Grammar School, Gloucester Road,Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 5SW. Tel: 01684 292829. Email: office@abbbey-view.org.uk
Barnwood Park School St. Lawrence Rd, Barnwood, Glos, GL4 3QU. Tel: 01452 530389.
Stroud & Cotswold A.P. School, The Belle Vue Centre, Belle Vue Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1JP. Tel: 01453 767293.
Wiltshire[]
The Bridge Alternative Provision, 6 Headquarters Road, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4JR Tel: 01225 704375, exams@tbap.co.uk AQA / OCR - Accepts private candidates 2025+
Kingsbury Green Academy, White Horse Way, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 8YH Tel: 01249 818100
AQA also lists the following centres in Wiltshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Leehurst Swan, Campbell Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3BQ. Tel: 01722 333 094
New College Swindon, New College Drive, Swindon, Wilts, SN6 1AH. Tel: 01793 611 470. (Home ed-friendly college, offering GCSE and L1 /L2 Btec courses to 14-16 yo. Allows current students to enter additional exams, AQA, OCR, EdExcel GCSE and iGCSE for a small fee around £50-£60(2022). Unclear about Cambridge exams.) UPDATE OCT 23 this year they are not accepting any external candidates for English and Maths exams. They are also refusing candidates "outside of their catchment area" but have not been forthcoming as to what this area actually is. Unclear as to whether they are allowing current 14-16 students to sit additional exams this year
Kingsbury Green Academy, White Horse Way, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 8YH Tel: 01249 818100 (Reception) Email: Cjholloway@kga.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk. Definitely offers Edexcel GCSE and IGCSE. Would need to make contact to find out about other boards
Devon[]
Ilfracombe Academy,Worth Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 9JB. Tel 01271 863427. Email: admin@ilfracombeacademy.org.uk (was Ilfracombe Arts College) - Edexcel and CIE IGCSEs. Charges are exam board fees plus one off £30 admin charge plus £10 an hour invigilation fee where the school has no candidate (prices for 2024 are approx £120 for Edexcel and £150 for Cambridge iGCSEs, £185 for AS levels). Contact Barry Waghorn, exams@ilfracombeacademy.org.uk - limited to 25 external candidates per sitting. Summer sittings only. New website for exam info and key dates: https://www.ilfracombeacademy.org.uk/exams
Kingsley Academy, Northdown Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3LY. Tel: 01237 426 200. Accepting external candidates from Summer 2024, contact lmaund@kingsleyschoolbideford.co.uk Summer sittings only, waiting for confirmation of exam boards.
Live to Learn, 34 Rolle St, Exmouth, EX8 2SH. Tel: 01395 274703, General email: info@livetolearneducation.com . Independent tuition and exam centre accepting candidates from November 2024. Edexcel only. Single room and home invigilation offered (subject to availability). Costs from £250/subject.
Riviera Tuition Torquay, offers AQA and Pearson exam board from summer 2025. Costs from £250/subject, admin@rivieratuition.co.uk. Access arrangements & home invigilation offered (extra costs). They are very helpful, but quite inexperienced (for example, they didn't know about waiving A-Level science practicals for Pearson/AQA, or that for A-Level Environmental Management, you MUST do coursework), so may need help with those things until they find their feet.
St John's, Broadway, Sidmouth, EX10 8RG. Tel: 01395 513984. General email: contact.stjohns@iesmail.com CAIE and Edexcel. In 2020 they were definitely accepting candidates for 2021 onwards. Contact exams co-ordinator jon.gosse@iesmail.com
The Kings School, Cadhay Lane, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1RA. Tel: 1404 812982. £150 per subject IGCSE, £120 per subject GCSE. (prices might need updating for 2021/22 season). AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC. There is a downloadable form here on the school website under "Parents" then "Exams". Website states: "Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer subjects that have practical, and or a non-examined component".
West Buckland School, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0SX. Tel: 01598 760000/ 01598 760 281 Accepting private candidates for summer sittings only, happy to take late and late late entries on payment of appropriate fees. Exams officer is Duncan Aitchison DFA@westbuckland.com
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Magdalen Court School , Victoria Park Road, St Leonards, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4NU. Tel: 01392 494 919. Didn't accept private candidates from 2021 oneards, but were accepting in 2018 for CIE, AQA, OCR and Edexcel. Also offered A Level Science exams (AQA) and liaised with 3A Tutors for the practical endorsement.
Queen Elizabeth Academy Western Road, Crediton, EX17 3LU. Tel: 01363 773 401 / 778 348. Email: reception@qe.devon.sch.uk Known to have accepted private candidates for GCSEs and IGCSEs, but none with coursework. Edexcel, but not CAIE. Exam Officer Julie Gray J.Gray@qe.devon.sch.uk Not taking external candidates as of January 2023.
The Colours Academy The Clay Factory, Redlake Trading Estate, Ivybridge, United Kingdom PL21 0EZ. Tel: 01752 893526. Email: enquiries@colours.academy Not accepting private candidates in 2020.
The Maynard School, Denmark Road, Exeter, Devon. EX1 1SJ. Tel: 01392 273417. Email: office@maynard.co.uk Very organised but want details by Sept prior to summer sittings and payment by December. AQA, OCR or Edexcel, no practicals. Have decided to not offer A Level Sciences due to vague responses from examination boards with regards to practical endorsements. Not accepting candidates since summer 2023 (confirmed by email from EO 14/7/22)
The Spires College Westlands Lane, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3PE. Tel: 01803 400440. Email: enquiries@thespirescollege.com Not accepting private candidates in 2020
Tiverton High School, Tiverton accept external candidates, although their fees are high (£100/subject plus exam board fees, invigilation at £9 per hour including 2 hours extra per paper and room hire at £35/session). NB - This may not longer be so pricey compared to other local centres. Their fees document outlines this, exam officer contact is exams@tiverton.devon.sch.uk *No longer accepting external candidates for 2025*
AQA also lists the following centres in Devon for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Achievement Training Ltd, Norwich Union House, 2 St Andrews Cross, Plymouth, PL1 1DN. Tel: 01752 202 266. Email: info@achievementtraining.net
Holsworthy Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 6JD. Tel: 01409 253 430.
Marland School, Peters Marland, Torrington, Devon, EX38 8QQ. Tel: 01805 601 324.
Okehampton College, Mill Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1PW. Tel: 01837 650 910. Email: admin@okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk
On Course South West CIC, Floor 2, Hyde Park House, Mutley Plain, Plymouth, PL4 6LF. Tel: 01752 660 713.
Sands School, 48 East Street, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 7AX. Tel: 01364 653 666. Email: enquiry@sands-school.co.uk
Shebbear College, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5HJ. Tel: 01409 282 000. Email:
Stage by Stage Music Theatre School, Stage Studios, Gater Lane, 36A South Street, Exeter, EX1 1ED. Tel: 01392 211 244.
Cambridge board also list the following centres for Devon for private candidates (unconfirmed).
Oneschool Global (Plymouth Campus) Foulston Avenue, Plymouth, PL5 1HL. Tel: 01752 363290. Email: plymouth@uk.oneschoolglobal.com
The Burton Academy South Parks Road,Devon, TQ2 8JE. Tel: 01803 326330. Email: adminburton@theburtonacademy.org.uk
Cornwall[]
Planned from 2026: Kowel Gwenen-The Hive , Bodmin. Phone: 07837 767254. Email: hello@kowelgwenen-thehive.co.uk
Dorset[]
Connie Rothman Learning Trust 107-109 Belle Vue Road,Southbourne, Bournemouth,BH6 3DJ. "We are a private examination centre that can offer Functional Skills, GCSEs, IGCSEs and AS and A level examinations. We currently offer exams from AQA, Edexcel, Cambridge International, and WJEC. We accept a limited number of private candidates, but unfortunately cannot accept candidates requiring access arrangements.". Tel: 01202 433673. Email: exams@crlt.org.uk For further info, look at their private candidate's page.
Queen Elizabeth School Blandford Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4DT. Tel: 01202 885233. Email:exams@qe.dorset.sch.uk Accepts private candidates for some exams.
Weymouth College Tel:01305 208809. Email: exams_admin@weymouth.ac.uk All major exam boards for exam-only subjects (no coursework or practicals). Will do on-screen tests. Admin fee of £100 plus exam fees. No access arrangements. Private candidates page here. Costs in 2019: GCSEs £100 per subject, A Level £60 per unit/component, Online exam £15 per exam. All other written exam papers (excluding GCSE/A level) £100 per exam. No late entries.
Your Classroom private tutorial centre, Poole Private candidates page here. AQA, Edexcel. The staff who were based at “Your classroom” in Poole, Dorset, still use this website to organise exams for private candidates, but the physical “classroom” and tuition centre in Poole no longer exists. This has caused some confusion, especially as they can be very slow to respond to emails/phone messages, but it is worth persevering, as they host exams in all seasons and are very supportive of anxious exam candidates. The staff are now based at The Lion Works school in Bournemouth. They now offer AQA as well as Edexcel for private candidates.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
The Purbeck School Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4PF. Tel: 01929 550077. Email office@purbeck.dorset.sch.uk Wasn't accepting private candidates in 2021
AQA also lists the following centres in Dorset for private candidates (unconfirmed)
All Saints C E School, Sunnyside Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9BJ. Tel: 01305 783 391. Email: office@allsaints-academy.co.uk Exams policy 2021 states: "We do not accept private candidates, unless in exceptional circumstances determined by the Head of Centre"
Leweston School, Leweston Manor, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6EN. Tel: 01963 210 691. (This is also a CAIE-listed centre)
Poole Grammar School, Gravel Hill, Poole, Dorset, BH17 9JU. Tel: 01202 692 132 Ext. 247. General email: pgsoffice@poolegrammar.com Exams email: exams@poolegrammar.com
St Edward's RC CE VA School, Dale Valley Road, Oakdale, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3HY. Tel: 01202 740 950. Email: enquiries@st-edwards.poole.sch.uk Exams Officer listed in Aug 2021 as Mr Mark Taylor
Sherborne International, Newell Grange, Newell, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4EZ. Tel: 01935 814 743. (This is also a CAIE-listed school)