Information About Exam Entry for Home Schooled Children
For home schooled children who have studied for a public exam like GCSEs or A levels either independently, through a private tutor, or via a correspondence course, it is usually the pupil’s own responsibility to find an exam centre, register for the exam, find a qualified person to assess coursework, and enter examinations.
Exam boards such as OCR and Edexcel provide ‘guides for private candidates’ that can provide extra information on this topic – this is available by calling the exam board directly or can be downloaded from the exam board’s website. Inside these booklets you will also usually find the required exam and/or coursework entry forms that you may need.
Home Schooled Candidates’ Advice on Examination Officers
Examination Officers do not have to accept private candidates to their exam centre so it is important to know about the systems in place before contacting the officer, that way you will seem organised and he or she will feel more relaxed about accepting your application. Note down your exam board number, syllabus number and unit code numbers before contacting the examining officer, and make sure the information is correct!
Find out closing dates for entering an exam, and speak to an examining centre well in advance of those dates. Find a centre by contacting the exam board for a list of local centres – this information will usually also be available online. Centres will have to be registered by the exam board, and may include schools, colleges, private tuition colleges, sixth form centres, or other adult education centres. Note that not every centre will offer every exam, so you should be prepared to make lots of phone calls to lots of different centres.
Different Types of Exams
Exams which do not have a coursework or oral component will usually be the easiest to arrange, requiring only an exam entry form to be submitted, before then assuring the exam centre of your identity and provide contact details. Applicants for qualifications which involve coursework have to find a way of having the coursework examined. This might be an exam board moderator but will usually not be anyone at the exam centre and this should be made clear to the exam officer.
Exam Entry Paperwork
Students will be provided with paperwork to fill in by their examination centre and should do so before the deadline set by each centre – this might include a visit to the centre for them to check the candidate’s identity. There will also be exam entry fees to be paid, which usually cost around £25 – paid to the examining board – for most GCSEs, and £12 for each single A level module or unit (remember, A levels consist of six units). Others cost more – English GCSE, for example, will usually be charged at between £40 – £50. Many exam centres will also ask for an additional administration fee which will need to be paid to them directly.
I am on the verge of home schooling our son jj. It has taken a year to make this decision but all I know is since half way through year 8 jj has become angry, frustrated and hypo and horrible to us (his parents) when he returns from school. He says he is slower than with his writing and he finds all subjects uninteresting and boring. He is year 9 now and teachers ring and tell me he is so capbable of doing the work but he is silly in class he makes silly noises and talks to his friends and is rude to his teachers. He now asks if he can be home schooled and we have said yes. And for seven days he has been FAB like our son in year 8. I cannot understand the change in him especially his CALMNESS and his NON SWEARING LANGUAGE and his new found RESPECT for us. He is asking me for work can anyone suggest where I can get worksheets or would I be better letting him do some Gcse’s if so which is reasonable price wise (will price include Gcse revision/work books and entrance fee for Gcses. No doubt our married daughters and sons will say we are stupid and he is having his own way but we just want him stay happy and nice. Any advice would be appreciated but I am de registering him from school today.
@Dee, You will need to choose an exam board to enter (for example GCSE) exams. They also give details of the syllabus. You can buy workbooks and resources from many different websites and shops. Here are the websites of the main exam boards in England:
AQA
CCEA
Pearson Edexcel
Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Exams (OCR)
Where can I find an exam centre where my daughter can take functional skills rather than GCSE’s.
@Wendy G1. Functional Skills are qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT that equip learners with the practical skills needed to live, learn and work successfully.Edexcel Functional Skills are available in England only from Entry 1 to Level 2. Suitable for learners of all ages, they’re also a mandatory part of all Apprenticeship frameworks in England. Find out more from Edexcel. For practical rather than academic subjects try the main exam boards such as AQA and OCR for subjects like, food technology, PE, dance, drama, art, music, design and technology etc.
Hi is it possible to apply for special concessions during examinations, when taking them as a private candidate. Such as extra time, smaller environment etc for applicants on the Autistic Spectrum and no statement.
Omg. This could have been written by myself regarding my son. Who is in yr 9 now . I’m always receiving calls home from school saying he is messing around being the class clown. But so loving b4 secondary school. And secretly mr affectionate but not in term time. I must look into this.
I have a 12 and 14 year old below average at school they are begging me to home school them as they have no interest at school I don’t know where to start books wise / what to teach/ Ect all of it Help and advise would be appreciated ? Thank you
I have been in uk for 4 years & since my husbands visa is expiring on April we have to go back to Mumbai..My elder daughter is doing her A levels finals & younger daughter is doing her year X gcsc..I wanted to know is there any place in Mumbai can they give their exams..please help as I don’t want their year to be wasted..thank you
Contact the British Council in Mumbai to find out whether there is an opportunity to sit the exams there. Note the exams must be taken at the same time as everyone else doing the exam is sitting theirs. Also only a few exam boards offer this option.
I wish i had taken my now 17 year old daughter out of school when she begged me to at the age of 5 ! She has been bullied all through her schooling and at 11 she rebelled by getting mixed up with a horrible group of kids as having some friends – albeit inappropriate ones- was better than being alone. She made our lives hell, i believe if i had removed her this would not have happened. She has now come though the worst but her self belief and esteem are at an all time low thanks to the misery of school life
hi – does anyone know if my son can join a school in yr 10 to do his gcse yrs, after being home schooled up to that point? thanks.
There is no reason why you cannot apply for a place. Places are only allocated if they are available of course.
I’m about to home school my son in curreny year 8…… Can anyone recommend a site that follows the national curriculum and is free… Most do a taster then you have to pay….. Would like a site/company that covers most subjects and has printable sheets and some online question sheets. Thanks in advance.
My daughter wants to take case art but the school can only let her take subjects in the arts so she is going graphics and drama. I am an art teacher so I was hoping that I could teach her and she could do the exam somewhere. Is this possible?
Hi, Thinking of home schooling my 9year old son, due to bulling at his current school. The changes in him are awful and im so concerned about him. The school have done nothing regarding my concerns. pls where can I find like jani1 said websites that follower national curriculum??? And how can he still take his SATS exams?
Please see the repsonse to @Dee below.
@dee Just wondering how you got on with home educating? I was home educated all my life up until college last year and I’m thankful my parents chose that route. It meant I became an individual person and could work on my character just as much as what I learnt, without feeling so much peer pressure and like I needed to fit in boxes. Now I’m finding it hard to ge the qualifications I need! But if we’d known before that I would be stuck I would’ve done GCSEs when I was sixteen. I hope it worked out for you, it’s not for everyone, I understand that. But I do know that I wouldn’t be the same without home ed.
Hi my parents have been considering homeschooling me over the last week after I sat down with them and told them all the basics. One of their concerns is if I’m going to pass my exams or not as I will be self taught. (I’m about to go into year 10) Does anyone have any ideas/techniques/programs etc that I can do to give me a better chance in passing ? Any help would be very appreciated :)
My daughter is in year 11 and will be doing GCSEs next summer. I have had tomorrow her from one school to another as she has suspected dyspraxia and is struggling with very little help from school. She hates her new school and has given it a go over this last month but her health is now suffering due to her anxiety. She has bald Patches developing, her general health is suffering and is always poorly and when she goes to school she suffered greatly with anxiety. I feel like I need to homeschool her through her GCSEs but I haven’t got the first idea of where’re start! Please help, many thanks ??
There are lots of forums available that offer help and you may find local support groups that can provide you with information. Your local education authority will be able to point you towards relevant resources and how to register with exam boards etc. If you can afford a private tutor, that would be worth looking into as well.
I’m currently in year 11 I haven’t been too school for over a month now but am starting to get concerned due too the subjects I have been studying and want to take for my GCSEs do have coursework, but I’m not sure what to do as in do I do the coursework and who marks it etc. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
You should discuss this with the staff at your school. If you have decided you want to be homeschooled they might be able to give you advice on exam boards and who you can sit the exams/do your coursework.
Im looking into home schooling my daughter who is currently in year 10. She suffers with anxiety & finds school a struggle, she hasn’t many friends & the one’s she does have, are not very nice to her. I find the school not very helpful & i dont know what else to do, her predicted exam results are awful i dont know what else to do, can any 1 guide me in the right direction?
Home schooling is an option but if you’re not sure this is the right option then to try and sort out the schooling there are some options you can try. Contact your local education authority and ask them for help if the school is being unhelpful. If she’s struggling at school they might be able to pinpoint areas for help or even place your daughter in a different school where she can get more support.
Hi. My daughter is in Year 11 so will be writing her GCSE’s in the Summer. We are considering moving out of the U.K. so I am wondering is there a way she can write her exams in about Feb/March? The board her school uses is AQA. Any advice would be great thx.
Hi, my daughter is currently in year 11 at an independent school, which is closing due to low pupil numbers. I am concerned about what options are available to us, so wondered about home schooling with private tutor support. I wondered how I would go about registering my daughter for the gcse exams and also how much tuition time we would need per subject considering her gcse are in May 2017. I look forward to your help.
hi my daughter is in year 11 I’ve had to take her out of school due to bullying .im worried as to what to do next as she needs to sit her GCSEs
I am in year eight and want to be homeschooled. I am very smart and feel school is just repeating things I already know. I have been homeschooled before and learned a lot more than I did in school. The only problem is that exams are too much. Any advice for cheap exams??
hello. transplants from the US that are now living in Windsor. We enrolled our 16yr old son in an online high school program from a university in Texas. in order to complete his first semester he needs to take his tests. they need to be proctored by a school, university, or a testing center. we have had trouble finding a place that will help us. we did find testing center but the price was astronomical. if anyone has any info that can help, please do. we really don’t want to have to fly him back to take his test. thanks for any info.
Hi my daughter is 11 years old and is at the end of year 6. She is about to take her ks2 sats however i have decided i would like to take her out of school to homeschool her. Is there a way she can still sit her sats exams independently from the school?
My child is 12 years old. Can she take GCSE
You can apply to take GCSEs at any age but the usual age that children take them and are ready for them in the UK is 15 or 16
My son is home schooled and ready to take his GCSE in spring summer where do we apply to do them?
I also have a year 11 child that I had to take out of school because of bulling and the school wasn’t helpful either, only choice i have now is to home school anyone have any ideas on where to get paper to home school, friends take a hand at school as well, so really alone.
When it’s time for her to do GCSEs what’s going to be the cheapest way for her to complete them?
The costs vary from exam board to exam board. Contact each of them to find out more. The main boards in the UK are EdExcel, AQA, OCR and WJEC.
I suffer from anxiety and there is absolutely no way I can take my exams in my school’s exam room. where else can I take them? can I do them at home with an invigilator? thanks :)
Speak to your school’s exams officer. They will often make arrangements for you to take your exams in a separate room or library etc.
Is it better to take GCSEs at 16 and all in one go, rather than taking some early? I have heard that some universities prefer candidates to take them all in one go. I have also heard that private schools who would have once put in candidates early for some examinations are not doing so, partly because universities frown on this and partly because they are adjusting to the new GCSE 1-9 grading system an don’t want students to risk getting lower grades.
As of tomorrow I will be taking my daughter out of school but can she still do her GCSEs at the school if I will be homeschooling from tomorrow
My child’s school is only offering Combined Sciences but my child wants to take 3 separate Sciences. Can I enter them as a private candidate at another school, if they are taking the rest of their GCSEs at their present school?
My childs school has become rediculous with expectations of children and no work ethics. Can i take him out and get him to sit his GCSEs in a learning center.
Hi my daughter is 11 ive just taken her out of school as has been bullied constantly, and is now anxious and depressed and cannot cope with school anymore. So ive made the decision to home school her now, and she is seeing a counsellor. The school showed no empathy to her condition were more interested in trying to get her back into school, so I stood my ground and said no way. My daughters health and well being is far more important and is happy at home being educated, I do ensure she attends social activities so as not lose her social skills and to continue to try improving her confidence. Its good to know I can relate to others on here x
I was bullied at school to the point I’m now homeschooled but I’m doing my GCSEs this year and I’ve just moved up the country and I know it sounds weird but Im can’t leave the house and was wondering if there was any other way of doing my GCSEs online or at home or something? Thanks ??
Hi, I was wondering if I can sit my gcse exam this year at home can someone tell me if that’s possible and how it can happen thank you!
Hi I’ve moved school 2 times now and have been bullied at all of them, I am under cahms for anxiety and ADHD and really would like to be home schooled as my school does nothing to help or protect me,I would love to be homeschooled or have the possibility to be but I haven’t even spoke to my mum about me being homeschooled as my school will make up every lie to try and keep me in school !
My son has been in trouble for unnecessary reasons few times & now his excludes for a joke fight in school, I feel his been picked on by members as his a challenging boy with top grades but few adults are finding hard to teach him due to his high expectations on learning. I want to take him out and do home schooling please let me know how it works and if I am allowed to do this and how he can sit GCSE as other kids at his age
Hi Im planning on homeschooling for grade 10 CBSE curriculum but I don’t know how to do the boards please help me and also please help me find a homeschooling programme for grade 10 CBSE
I have just taken my 15 year old out of school, does anyone know if can she still sit her GCSE exams there this academic year, she has a candidate number?
Also if you look online at exam boards , you will need to check out wht is needed to study and what subjects you need to do, either AQA or EDEXCEL PEARSONS , OCR, there are more exam boards ,but I use Aqa and Edexcel these are quite common ones and i think are the best in uk.
I get anxiety about going into school so I haven’t gone for the past couple days, my mum has rang the school now I’ve got a meeting and I want to ask to be homeschooled but we can’t afford the GCSEs, my mum is In uni and has passed all her GCSEs so is it possible to do you’re schoolwork at home and then take you’re GCSEs at school?
I am going to be home schooling my 14 year old child from June. as she suffers from severe Anxiety. she has had this for many years and it has slowly got worse over the last 18 months. However I am looking forward to her being in an environment that she is comfortable in and I have access to the local library and lots of museums and I have a very big support network who will work with her when I am at work. I was just wondering about when it comes to her doing her GCSES can I ask my local secondary school if she may sit them there. I am very new to all of this and I just need some tips Thank you
Education system does not care. LAs are more interested in showing bad behaviour even though these prob start at school. Do not give up on your child. Consider registration privately in your area preferably colleges. There is no law that protects high achievers. The schools will do everything to destroy your child through labelling.Remember school governors have no powers now. My advice is joining online teaching forums.Do not even rely on the education system. 07885582540
Can I ask my sons school if he can sit his exams there? He hasn’t been for 3 months now due to medical reasons and anxiety and is off register, but I am lost as to where he can do his Gcses, so please help me if possible, thank you?
I’ve just taken my daughter out of school she is now being homeschooled due to her anxiety. But when it comes to GCSE’s I’m lost, I’m reading that she could do them now if she wished. I need advice on the best way to homeschool her.
My sons 15 he suffers from anxiety and depression,he has problems with coping with school as really not happy there,dosnt want to go back,wants me to home school him on his last year 11 where he would be taking his exams GCSE,can I get him into college to do them,and if I help him in his last year,where do I start ?the school council won’t help and said I have to sort it if i continue to home school
Hello, I hope my message can help! I have a son who suffered from anxiety and could not access school during 4 years. We signed to Wolsey Hall online course but PLEASE do not pay for more than 5 subjects for any online schooling as it’s very demanding and anxiety will continue (but at home this time!). As nearly all sixth forms and colleges will take a child with 5 GCSEs, it is better to focus on 5 subjects and aim to succeed rather than select 8-10 subjects and feel like you’re playing catch up all the time. The new GCSEs are more demanding and more thorough (I am a teacher with 20 years of experience) so choose 5 subjects they enjoy and hire a few tutors for a once a week lesson. It’s good to have some professional support as well as independent learning. Our son did succeed his GCSE and thanks to an organisation that works with our County Council, he took most of his exams at home. We were so thankful but this requires planning and an Health and Education Care Plan.
hello, I’m in year 11 but I’m homeschooled due to severe anxiety I really want to take my GCSEs to become successful in life however I can’t find where I need to take them, and my mum can’t afford to pay the exam prices as they work out to be a lot! Any ideas on what to do?
Hi SHAN, contact your local Connexions. They should be able to help. You can take GCSE’s for free in colleges but I think that’s for 16 plus.
Hello all. Here for a little advise if possible please? Due to VERY unfortunate timings we are possibly looking at relocating in November 2020. My son will then be in year 11, close to the point of sitting his GCSE’s. I’m wondering if he could be “homeschooled” for the next 5/6 months and then return home to sit his GCSE’s. Would this be even possible? I’m so stuck trying to find a way forward for him :( Thank you in advance.
Hi, I need to home school my 14 year old daughter due to high anxiety at school. Please could you tell me my nearest exam centre where she could sit just maths and english exams. Thank you in advance.
Where can you find out more information about home schooling, and taking GCSE exams for the future? I am thinking of taking my daughter out of school, she is in year 7 and has high anxiety. Now for home schooling I don’t if us the mum a d dad teach her. But I need to learn more before we take this step. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful. You can message me on 09761600111 THANK YOU
Hi, Anyone who needs any support with the content when home educating can contact me for help.
DIZZYBLONDE, i home educate my sons but I took time off myself with illness for nearly the whole last year of school and the school still allowed me to come in and sit exams. I think it’s up to the school but I would ring and ask your school and maybe ring your local council if you have no luck with the school.
My son is home-schooled (very recent) due to stress at School. He is due to sit his GCSE next year and a local Secondary School have accepted him as a Private Candidate. My only problem is what papers does he need to sit, IGCSE or GCSE its a real minefield of information. I am told that IGCSE is better because its all theory. Just need a bit of advice if possible. I am getting him to sit his English this year just so that he does not need to do them all in the same year. Again, very confusing as I am told he needs to sit 3 papers for IGCSE Language and 2 papers for GCSE Literature. Wow a lot has changed since I was at School. Any help appreciated.
I am on the verge of taking my child out in year 10 as mental health issues which are worse at school. Do people use online schools as seem expensive or just teach from books/ private tutors etc. I did adult maths recently but that was free
Hiii, I’m planning to homeschool my son from year 10, please advise about the course selection and exams
My 22 year old daughter missed out on education at school due to physical illness and severe anxiety, not helped by attitude of school. She needs one A level in sociology to access the degree course she wants to do. She’s confident that she can attain this BUT is adamant that she will not be able to sit in a school exam room. Are there any anxiety friendly registered exam centres near SW London that allow pre tests?
For everybody asking about exam centres – we have an exam centre in Oldbury, situated right next to Sandwell & Dudley train station. If you would like any more info please send an email to enquiries@ferneducationandtraining.org
Hi there I’m thinking of home schooling my daughter who is going into year 9 and just wondering about GCSE and the cost of them and how to go about sorting all of it. Kind regards Kerry
HI . my son did not get the required grades for his gcse and he will need to resit his exams next June. we are planning for home schooling , we live in derby. does any one know how can I arrange this. any exam center that can help
Hi my son is home schooled, he’s 16 in feb. I need some advice on gcse as I have no idea where he needs to go or what it will cost .we live in Medway .
Im a homeschooled student never attended to school due lack of school admission . I want to write exams for high school level so i do degree course after that exam. What are the procedure to attend exam which is good Igcse or gcse?
Hi. My sister is considering home schooling because of certain situations in school. She is 15 and I just wondered would we have to pay for her exams.? Many thanks.
Hi. My 14 year old son is homeschooled & has tutors 5 days a week. At what stage do I enquire about him sitting his GCSEs & where will he sit them? Thanks
I’m looking at taking my Yr 11 out due to bullying. Can anyone recommend online tutors or classes for GCSE. Looking for English maths and French.
How do we go about taking our 15 year old year 11 out of school to home school. What help could we get to home school. Who do we speak to. What subjects would he need to cover and how would we prepare for GCSEs. Where would he take them and do we have to pay for everything. Are there any groups where we could speak with other parents in the same situation
Hi, my son has just turned 16, he’s in yr11 but due to severe anxiety he hasn’t been to school since last November 2019 when he was in yr 10. Obviously Covid hasn’t helped and the school have been totally against me and almost aggressive and have now said they are not putting him in for any exams unless he returns to school full time! This isn’t possible but he wanted to do just 3 subjects just so he doesn’t leave school with nothing….. again the school have refused and have also told me that home schooling him isn’t an option. I don’t know where to turn as primarily my concern is for his wellbeing but he wants to do some GCSEs. I contacted the local college who said he cannot enrol with them until next September after he’s finished school. I just don’t know what to do and I can’t seem to get any help or advice that will enable him to sit a few exams in summer 2021. Btw his previous predictions when he was last at school we’re all level 7/8 for every subject so I’m not happy that all the work he’s done up to yr 10 is going to be lost ?…. any advice welcome
Hi all, I tutor students being home-schooled. As long as you have the right resources independent learning at Home is every possible.
Hi, my son is in year 11 and the school are refusing him a reduced timetable. It was agreed by myself the senco and post 16 team a reduced timetable would be his best chance of passing English or maths at gcse. But the school are still refusing. I want to home school him in just English and maths but don’t know how to arrange his exams. Any help will be much appreciated. Many thanks Lucy.
hi i have recently dropped out of high school i need a place to sit an urdu exam what could i do?
I took my year 10 twins out of school in september due to covid and now their is a chancr school wont accept them back so im staying with homeschooling them but how do i go about registering them privatly to sit gcses next year
Whi h School in ahmedabad offer home schooling
Hello My son is 14 abs due to issues at school I am considering hone schooling . Can anyone advise me regarding exams . How do I go about him sitting exams and how much are they likely to cost Thankyou