These exam centres have either taken private candidates in the past, have indicated that they would consider it, or are listed on an exam board website as a possible centre, but are yet to be confirmed. Please feel free to add or edit information. We rely on the home-ed community to keep this up to date. You will need to create a Wikia account first. For local recommendations, it can be a good idea to join your local home education Facebook group.
North West[]
Cheshire[]
Macclesfield Tutorial College 20 Cumberland Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1DD. Tel: 01625 501 440. AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CIE. Can facilitate November exams. Offered Teacher Assessed Grades in 2021 and were reported to be helpful by a home educator who used them. A-level and GCSE practical and science exams, and language Speaking Assessments. "We are an approved centre for the AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CIE examination boards. We accommodate all the standard subjects, and will try to accept entries for the less popular subjects too – just ask. At the examination centre, you are able to take GCSE, IGCSE and GCE (AS and A Level) examinations. The centre has the facilities for science practicals and also most language speaking examinations."
Malbank School and Sixth Form College, Welsh Row, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5HD. Tel: 01270 611 009. Email:admin@malbank.cheshire.sch.uk Accepted HE candidates in 2018
Sandbach School, Crewe Road, Sandbach. Cheshire CW11 3NS Tel 01270 758870 email: enquiries@sandbachschool.org
Wilmslow High Holly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1LZ. Tel: 01625 526191. Email: reception@wilmslowhigh.cheshire.sch.uk Apparently they have taken some home ed students in the past. No current information.
AQA also lists the following centres in Cheshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Beech Hall School, Beech Hall Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2EG. Tel: 01625 422 192. Email: secretary@beechhallschool.org
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, Urban Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 6HT. Tel: 0161 911 8090. Email: blessedthomas.admin@trafford.gov.uk
Cheadle and Marple College Network, (Cheadle College), Cheadle Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 5HA. Tel: 0161 486 4600. Email: info@cmcnet.ac.uk
Intuition Centre, 212A Finney Lane, Heald Green, Cheadle, SK8 3QA. Tel: 0161 637 4220. Email: healdgreen@intuitioncentre.co.uk Access arrangements. Functional Skills. Edexcel, OCR, AQA, WJEC, CAIE.
Oakfield Lodge School, The Stables, Warmingham Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4PP. Tel: 01270 685 626
Penarth Group School, 128 Reddish Road, Stockport, SK5 7JG. Tel: 0161 483 1212. Email: headteacher@penarthgroup.co.uk
Sale Grammar School, Marsland Road, Sale, Cheshire, M33 3NH. Tel: 0161 973 3217. Email: office@salegrammar.co.uk
St Nicholas Catholic High School, Greenbank Lane, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1JW. Tel: 01606 706 028 / 706 000. Email: admin@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk
No support for private candidates
(Sep 21) Chester International School and Brine Leas school are not accepting private candidates.
Cumbria[]
Cumbria Local Authority list of exam centres - the LA provide a list of centres with contact details, which has been updated for 2020. It includes Appleby Heritage Centre, Cockermouth school, Furness Academy, Samuel Kings School, Settlebeck High School, Solway Community College, Whitehaven Academy, William Howard School.
Beacon Hill, AspatriaMarket Square, Aspatria, CA7 3EZ. Tel: 016973 20509. Email: beaconhill@beaconhill.cumbria.sch.uk Will accept private candidates for exam-based subjects only, although an exception may be made if you are studying with a distance learning provider. Exam price: Cost to school + £10 per hour if no school exam is taking place at the same time + admin charge of £40 irrespective of the number of subjects being taken.
KT tuition 134 Harrington Road, Workington, CA14 3UL. Tel: Email: Edexcel, AQA and OCR for GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and Functional Skills. Used in June 2021. Tel: 01900 68487. Email: office@kttuition.co.uk See information on website about private candidates and fees.
AQA also lists the following centres in Cumbria for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Austin Friars, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 9PB. Tel: 01228 528 042. Email: office@austinfriars.co.uk
St Bernard's Catholic High School, Rating Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9LE. Tel: 01229 814 560. Email: contact@stbernardsschool.uk
Eden Education, People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 5XB. Tel: 01228 830 831. Website states they take private candidates. Might be registered for AQA only.
Lime House School, Holm Hill, Dalston, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 7BX. Tel: 01228 710 225. Email: office@limehouseschool.co.uk
Netherhall School, Netherhall Road, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 6NT. Tel: 01900 813 434. Email: office@netherhallschool.org
Oversands School, Witherslack, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6SD. Tel: 01539 552 397. Email: oversands@witherslackgroup.co.uk
The Gillford Centre Pupil Referral Unit, Upperby Road, Upperby, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 4JE. Tel: 01228 226 957.
Lancashire[]
Lancashire Local Authority list of exam centres It was last updated in 2017.
Blackpool Local Authority list of exam centres It was last updated in 2019 and seems to cover other areas of Lancashire, too.
AKS Lytham Independent School Clifton Drive South, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1DT. Tel: 01253 784100. General email: info@akslytham.com Examinations Officer is Mr Klenk, email: Peter.Klenk@akslytham.com > I'll leave the information here in case it is useful to someone for something else, but I have e-mailed Peter Klenk today (25/11/2021) and they don't accept private candidates for external examinations.
Ashton Sixth Form College 71 Whitechapel High Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 9RL. Tel: 0161 330 2330 ext. 275. Email: externalcandidates@asfc.ac.uk Info about private candidates here Must be age 16+. AQA, OCR, Edexcel, Eduqas(WJEC). Written examinations pnly, i.e. No coursework units, ICT Practical exams or science practical/coursework units. Did not accept private candidates in 2020/21.
Darwen Vale High School Blackburn Road, Darwen, BB3 0AL. Tel: 01254 223000. Email: DWelsh@darwenvale.com Listed on Blackpool LA website list of centres, but unconfirmed.
Jay-Em Dance Studios 27 Victoria Street, Chorley, PR7 2TX. Tel: 01257 262 703. Email: j-mstudio@btconnect.com AQA and Edexcel. Friendly and small.
Oldham Hulme Grammar School, Chamber Road, Oldham, OL8 4BX. Tel: 0161 624 4497. Exams officer is Mrs Christine Whitworth, email examofficer@ohgs.co.uk Written exams plus some A-level science assessments. Possibly language exams. Have been very helpful to home-ed families in the past. OCR, Edexcel, AQA . Not CAIE. Did not accept private candidates in 2021.
Ormskirk School Wigan Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AT. Tel: 01695 583040 Exams Officer: Mrs Jane Covey ext 1004. Email: exams@ormskirk.lancs.sch.uk No practicals, coursework etc. Could not provide CAGs or TAGs.
Penwortham Priory Academy Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0JE. Tel: 01772 320250. Email: enquiries@priory.lancs.sch.uk Listed on Blackpool LA list of centres, but unconfirmed. Exams officer is Mrs E Diamond-Bugler, email: e.diamond@priory.lancs.sch.uk
Richard Rose Central Academy. Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1LY. Tel: 01228 822060. Email: info@rrca.org.uk Accepted private candidates in Summer 2016. No current information.
Spanish Learning Centre239 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 3PB. Tel: 01253 294 822. Email: enquiry@spanishlearningcentre.co.uk Private candidate information here. AQA, WJEC, Edexcel, CAIE. Can accommodate foreign language orals. "Private candidates can sit any exam with us (providing there is no practical unit involved) i.e. any paper exams can be sat here."
Tower Learning Centre 316, Church St, Blackpool, FY1 3QE. Tel: 01253 290949. Email: enquiries@tower-learning.co.uk Private tutorial college. AQA, OCR, WJEC and CAIE exam boards plus Functional Skills testing.
AQA also lists the following centres in Lancashire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Abrar Academy, 34-36 Garstang Road, Preston, PR1 1NA. Tel: 01772 828 732.
Al-Islah Girls' High School, 108 Audley Range, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 1TF. Tel: 01254 261 573.
Belmont School, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, BB4 6RX. Tel: 01706 221 043.
Cambian Brook View School, Ward Green Lane, Ribchester, Preston, Lancs, PR3 3YB. Tel: 01254 958 579.
Corpus Christi Catholic High School, St Vincent's Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8QY. Tel: 01772 716 912.
Moor Park High School and Sixth Form, Moor Park Avenue, Preston, PR1 6DT. Tel: 01772 795 428.
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, West Park Road, Blackburn, BB2 6DF. Tel: 01254 686 300.
Rochdale Islamic Academy, Greenbank Road, Rochdale, OL12 0HZ. Tel: 01706 710 184.
Roselyn House School, Moss Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 4SE. Tel: 01772 435 948.
The Rose School, Greenock Street, Burnley, Lancs, BB11 4DT. Tel: 01282 683 050.
Winstanley College, Billinge, Winstanley Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancs, WN5 7XF. Tel: 01695 633 244.
Merseyside[]
BioGrad Ltd Liverpool Science Park, 131 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5TF. Tel: 0151 482 9695 Email: info@biograd.co.uk Supports all the requirements of the Biology, Chemistry and Physics assessed practicals for OCR, AQA and Pearson Edexcel. A dedicated centre with experts assessing all A Level Practicals. An excellent centre located in the centre of the city, extremely easy to access. BioGrad work with local 5 star hotels for accommodation which starts at £30 per night which is excellent value. BioGrad has real working industrial labs so this gives all students the opportunity to not only complete their practicals but also get the experience of being in an industrial lab.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Birkenhead Sixth Form College Park Road West, Claughton Village, Prenton, Wirral, CH43 8SQ, Tel: 0151 652 5575. Email: email@bsfc.ac.uk Information for private candidates here. Page states that they are not accepting candidates for 2021/22 entries.
AQA also lists the following centres in Merseyside for private candidates (unconfirmed)
All Saints Catholic High School, Roughwood Drive, Northwood, Kirkby, Merseyside, L33 8XF. Tel: 0151 477 8748. Email: info@allsaintschs.org.uk
Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, 55 Long Lane, Liverpool, L9 7BF. Tel: 0151 525 6326. Exams officer, Peter Phillips. Email: exams@beck.uk.com
Childwall Abbey School, Childwall Abbey Road, Liverpool, L16 5EY. Tel: 0151 722 1995.
Meadow Park School, Haswell Drive, Stockbridge Village, Knowsley, Liverpool, L28 1RX. Tel: 0151 477 8100.
Merchant Taylors' Girls' School, Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 5SP. Tel: 0151 924 3140.
St John Plessington Catholic College, Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, Merseyside, CH63 7LF. Tel: 0151 645 5049.
Greater Manchester[]
Manchester Hospital School Leo Kelly Centre, 77 Dickenson Road, Manchester, M14 5AZ. Email contact admin@hospitalschool.manchester.sch.uk phone 0161 2252199. Only do summer series. Edexcel not CIE. No language orals. (They have increased their fees recently, they now charge a flat £200 per subject. Still very friendly and helpful but sadly not the fantastic bargain they were before.)
Tutors & Exams Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton, BL1 2AS. (Also in Coventry, Wimbledon and Doncaster). Tel: 024 76221008. Dedicated exam centre for external candidates with experience supporting home-educated students. Languages, ICT, Computer Science and more. Has a dedicated science laboratory based in Birmingham for A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another science laboratory located in a London school for science practicals outside term time. Access Arrangements (SEN) friendly. Public car park at the rear of the building (exam day entrance) and 5 minute walk from the public transport links.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Cheadle College - As of August 2020 have stated that they won't be accepting private candidates for at least two years.
AQA also lists the following centres in Greater Manchester for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Beis Yaakov Jewish High School Academy, 69 Broom Lane, Salford, M7 4FF. Tel: 0161 708 8220.
Cambian Tyldesley School, 39 Shuttle Street, Tyldesley, Manchester, M29 8BS. Tel: 01942 877 660.
Connell Sixth Form College, 301 Alan Turing Way, Manchester, M11 3BS. Tel: 0161 231 9200.
Darul Uloom Islamic College and Secondary School, Holcombe Hall, Holcombe, Bury, BL8 4NG. Tel: 01706 826 106.
Intuition Centre (Burnage), 473A Kingsway, Burnage, Manchester, M19 1NR. Tel: 0161 637 4220. Email: burnage@intuitioncentre.co.uk
Loreto High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 7SW. Tel: 0161 882 3158.
Madrasatul Imam Muhammed Zakariya RA, Keswick Street, Blackburn Road, Bolton, BL1 8LX. Tel: 01204 384 434.
Newbridge Learning Community, Moss Lane, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 3TL. Tel: 01942 776020.
Raise Education and Wellbeing School, 54-56 Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, Bolton, BL3 3HS. Tel: 01204 431 946.
St Bede's College, Alexandra Park, Manchester, M16 8HX. Tel: 0161 226 3323.
The Heys School, Heys Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1JZ. Tel: 0161 773 2052.
Westwood High, Kelsall Street, Oldham, OL9 6HR. Tel: 0161 622 1947.
North East[]
West Yorkshire[]
Bradford Grammar School, Keighley Road, Bradford, BD9 4JP. "really good and very helpful for private candidates." Tel: 01274 542 492.
Ilkley Grammar School - Cowpasture Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 8TR, Telephone: 01943 608424 admin@ilkleygs.co.uk
LBC Tuition, 26 Devonshire Street, Keighley, BD21 2AU. Tel: 01535 600 009. AQA exams only. "Please note we accept candidates for exams only. Non-exam assessments (NEAs) e.g. coursework/controlled assessment/practical assessments are carried forward only."
Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire, BD10 0NR. Exams Office tel: 0113 238 6072. Email: exams@woodhousegrove.co.uk Edexcel, AQA, OCR, WJEC/EDUQAS, CAIE exam boards. GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A levels, Functional Skills maths (Edexcel). Access Arrangements. "We will be accepting entries for the exams in Autumn 2021 from late August." Info for 2021/22 here
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Bradford College , Great Horton Rd, Bradford BD7 1AY. Tel: 01274 088088. Email: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk In the past they have offered a limited amount of GCSE subjects for which candidates can sit exams. No current info.
Leeds - Ralph Thoresby School, Holtdale Approach, Leeds, LS16 7RX. Tel: 0113 397 9911. Email: letmeknow@ralphthoresby.com No current info.
South Craven School, Holme Lane, Cross Hills, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 7RL. Tel: 01535 632861. No current info.
AQA also lists the following centres in West Yorkshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Ackworth School, Pontefract Road, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 7LT. Tel: 01977 611 401.
Bradford Girls' Grammar School, Squire Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD9 6RB. Tel: 01274 545 395 [link removed due to malware warning]
East SILC - John Jamieson School, Hollin Hill Drive, Leeds, LS3 2PW. Tel: 0113 293 0236.
Eternal Light Secondary School, Christopher Street, Bradford, BD5 9DH. Tel: 01274 501 597.
Heckmondwike Grammar School Academy Trust, High Street, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, WF16 0AH. Tel: 01924 402 202.
Olive Secondary Boys, Byron Street, Bradford, BD3 0AD. Tel: 01274 725 005.
Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College, Storrs Hill Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire, WF5 0DG. Tel: 01924 232 820.
Silcoates School, Silcoates Lane, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 0PD. Tel: 01924 291 614.
Tracks PRU, 21 Owlett Road, Shipley, West Yorks, BD18 2LU. Tel: 01274 582 995.
East Yorkshire/East Riding[]
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Hull Adult Community Learning Services, Endeavour Learning and Skills Centre, Beverley Road, Hull, HU3 1UR. Tel: 01482 615 349. They have previously accepted private candidates for exams: solely for Functional Skills Maths & English and GCSE Maths & English. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they have not accepted candidates during the 2020-21 academic years.
Pocklington School, West Green, Pocklington YO42 2NJ. Tel: 01759 321200. No current info.
St Patrick's for Alter Education Ltd, St Patrick's Church, Spring Street, Hull, HU2 8RA. Tel: 01482 222 351. Previously accepted private candidates but no longer accept.
Wyke Sixth Form College, Bricknell Avenue, Hull, HU5 4NT. Tel: 01482 346 347. Have previously accepted private candidates for exams, however, they only accept previous students of the college.
AQA also lists the following centres in East Yorkshire/East Riding for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Northcott School, Dulverton Close, Bransholme, Hull, HU7 4EL. Tel: 01482 825 311.
The Hub School and Specialist Services, Springhead Lane, Anlaby Common, Hull, East Riding, HU5 5YJ. Tel: 01482 304 200
Wilberforce College, Saltshouse Road, Kingston upon Hull, HU8 9HD. Tel: 01482 711 688.
South Yorkshire[]
Tutors & Exams 1 Don House, Sidings Court, Doncaster, DN4 5NL (also has centres in Coventry, Wimbledon and Bolton). Tel: 024 76221008. Dedicated exam centre for external candidates with experience of supporting home-educated students. Languages, ICT, Computer Science and more. Has a dedicated Science laboratory based in Birmingham to deliver A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another science laboratory in a London school for Science practicals outside term time. Access Arrangements (SEN) friendly. Close to J3 on the M18 and 1.5 miles from Doncaster railway station.
Al-Mahad, Al-Islami Sheffield, 1 Industry Road, Darnall, Sheffield, Yorkshire, S9 5FP. Tel: 0114 243 1224. No website found. Reported as accepting private candidates - Edexcel, AQA, CAIE.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Sir Thomas Wharton Community College, A Cooperative Academy, Tait Avenue, Edlington, Doncaster, DN12 1HH. Tel: 01709 864100. No current information.
Hillsborough College. Livesey Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S6 2ET.
Sheffield College Used to offer online GCSE maths and English courses for HE students ages 14+, with exams there. No current information.
Longley Park 6th Form college. Not accepting private candidates in September 2020. The exams officer was Lesley Harley Lesley.Harley@longleypark.ac.uk
Doncaster Local Authority has previously listed these South Yorkshire centres for home educators:
Balby Carr Academy- Community Sports & Science Academy, Weston Road, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8ND. Tel: 0845 345 1629.
Outwood Academy, Windmill Balk Lane, Woodlands, Doncaster, DN6 7SF. Tel: 01302 722237.
Rossington All Saints Academy, Bond Street, New Rossington, Doncaster, DN11 0BZ. Tel: 01302 868414
AQA lists the following centres in South Yorkshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Al-Mahad, Al-Islami Sheffield, 1 Industry Road, Darnall, Sheffield, Yorkshire, S9 5FP. Tel: 0114 243 1224. No website found.
Becton School - The Moncrieffe Centre, 9 Moncrieffe Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S7 1HQ. Tel: 0114 258 2140.
Bethany School, Finlay Street, Sheffield, S3 7PS. Tel: 0114 272 6994.
Outwood Academy Shafton, Engine Lane, Shafton, Barnsely, South Yorkshire, S72 8RE. Tel: 01226 717 730.
Westfield School, Eckington Road, Beighton, Sheffield, S20 1HQ. Tel: 0114 248 5221.
XP School (Doncaster) Ltd, Middle Bank, Doncaster, DN4 5NG. Tel: 01302 898 792.
North Yorkshire
No known centres.
Centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
York Learning - Adult education centre. September 2020: Apparently, not accepting private candidates anymore.
AQA lists the following centres in North Yorkshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Fyling Hall School, Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4QD. Tel: 01947 880 353.
Giggleswick School, Giggleswick, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 0DE. Tel: 01729 893 000 / 893 010.
Harrogate Ladies' College, Carence Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 2QG. Tel: 01423 504 543
Norton College, Langton Road, Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9PT. Tel: 01653 693 296.
Priory Woods School and Arts College, c/o Ormesby School, Tothill Avenue, Netherfields, Middlesbrough, TS3 0RH. Tel: 01642 770 540.
Smart Ed (UK), c/o Nunthorpe Academy Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS7 0LA. Tel: 07886 491 028 / 01642 456 320.
The Northern School of Art, Green Lane, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 7RJ. Tel: 01642 288 000 / 856 142.
The Skipton Academy, Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1UQ. Tel: 01756 792 965 / 792 407.
County Durham (North East of England)[]
Enter CIC (Private Exams North East) County Durham, serving the whole of the North East, North Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Five minutes off the A1 (Junction 60).
Email: exams@entercic.org or make an enquiry
Established and experienced Private Candidate Exam Centre set up to facilitate private candidates, resits and adult learners. Head of Centre is a current home educator and as such is very knowledgeable about the challenges facing external and private candidates wishing to sit examinations. AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, and CAIE examinations boards. Supports Science Practicals via dedicated partner.
Caters for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, BTEC, Functional Skills, AQA Award Units, Oxford Admissions Tests. Tuition is also available at this centre. One of the only exam centres in the UK that, as well as all academic subjects, also supports creative subjects such as Art, Craft and Design and Drama. Supports coursework marking and validation as well as MFL and English Spoken Language assessments for Private Candidates.
Accepts private (external) candidates with and without Access Arrangements.
Teesside High School, The Avenue, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, TS16 9AT. Tel: 01642 782 095. They can usually facilitate any exam board if it doesn't contain practical or coursework elements. Exam entry fee is about £70 plus admin fee of £60, so about £130 per exam. Julie is the current (2022) exams officer and is very helpful on the phone. Her email is jmcgrath@teessidehigh.co.uk
Newcastle/Northumberland[]
Whitley Bay High School peter.lilley@whitleybayhighschool.org is the exams officer. They can facilitate Cambridge and Edexcel iGCSEs, as well as other boards for GCSEs without practical or coursework elements.