Bristol
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.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
St Katherines School Ham Green, North Somerset BS20 0HU, Tel: 01275 373737. (Not accepting students in 2016)
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
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.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
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
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
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
Weston College, Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2AL. Tel: 01934 411 411.
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 might need updating for 2021/22 season). Contact Barry Waghorn, exams@ilfracombeacademy.org.uk - limited to 25 external candidates per sitting.
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 (unconfirmed)
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".
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.
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). Their fees document outlines this, exam officer contact is exams@tiverton.devon.sch.uk
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 in 2021, 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.
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 Spires College Westlands Lane, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3PE. Tel: 01803 400440. Email: enquiries@thespirescollege.com Not accepting private candidates in 2020
West Buckland School, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0SX. Tel: 01598 760000/ 01598 760 281 Not accepting private candidates in Sept 2020. Exams officer was Duncan Aitchison DFA@westbuckland.com
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.
Kingsley School, Northdown Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3LY. Tel: 01237 426 200.
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.
The Ilfracombe Academy, Worth Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9JB. Tel: 01271 869 254. Email: info@mysite.com
Tiverton High School, Bolham Road, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6SQ. Tel: 01884 256 655. Email: exams@tiverton.devon.sch.uk Exams Manager listed in Aug 2021 was Sarah Skinner.
Cornwall
Fowey River Academy Fowey River Academy, Windmill, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1HE. Tel: 01726 833484. Accepted private candidates in January 2021.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Truro High School for Girls. Falmouth Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2HU. Tel: 01872 272830. Not accepting candidates for summer 2021. Contact Jean Rice on JRice@trurohigh.co.uk
Pool Academy Church Rd, Pool, Cornwall, TR153PZ. Tel: 01209 712220. Email: enquiries@poolacademy.co.uk Used to accept private candidates, but in August 2020 the response was "Pool Academy is unable to accept private candidates for the forseeable future"]
Mounts Bay School. Boscathnoe Lane, Heamoor, Penzance,Cornwall TR18 3JT. Tel: 01736 363240. As of Sept 2019 no longer taking external candidates.
AQA also lists the following centres in Cornwall for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Carrick AP Academy, Cormorant House, Truro Business Park, Threemilestone, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9NH. Tel: 01872 613 120. Email: carrick@waveedu.org
Penwith Alternative Provision Academy, Penbrea Road, Treneere, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 3NX. Tel: 01736 332 341. Email: Penwith@waveedu.org
Treviglas Academy, Bradley Road, Newquay, TR7 3JA. Tel: 01637 872 076/ 853 123. Email: office@treviglas.cornwall.sch.uk
Dorset
Connie Rothman Learning Trust 107-109 Belle Vue Road,Southbourne, Bournemouth,BH6 3DJ. AQA, Edexcel, CAIE, WJEC. Tel: 01202 433673. Email: exams@crlt.org.uk There is a private candidates page here
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.
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.
Gloucestershire
[Cirencester Deer Park School - have been very helpful to external candidates in 2016. Edexcel and AQA. - no longer accepts private candidates 07/07/2021]
Henley Bank High School (Was Gloucester Brockworth Enterprise School) Gloucester The exam officer was Phil Vaughan. They do at least ICT IGCSE (including practical). 01452 863 372 .
The King's School, Gloucester - independent school accepting external candidates.
[Wycliffe College have had lots of home-educated external candidates for IGCSEs. Also do American SAT testing - No longer accepting private candidates (reported 06/2021)]