East of England Exam Centres

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.
If you can reach North and East London then you will have more options - see our list of London exam centres.
== Bedfordshire ==
Harlington Upper School Goswell End Road Harlington LU5 6NX. Tel: 01525 755100. Email: IGCSEs, GCSEs and A/AS levels. Exam boards:Edexcel, AQA, OCR, WJEC/EDUQAS. Any specification resit where the coursework/NEA/practical mark can be carried forward (e.g. English spoken language endorsement) science practical endorsement both A level and GCSE, GCE English Language and Literature, History and Geography NEAs). Access arrangements available. Exams Officer listed in July 2021 as Mrs A Goode email: exams@harlington.org
Sharnbrook Academy Odell Road, Sharnbrook MK44 1JL. Tel: 01234 783806. Exams Officer in July 2021 is listed as Sharon Whitelock swhitelock@sharnbrook.beds.sch.uk 
AQA lists the following additional centres in Bedfordshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Grey's Education Centre, Manor Drive, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 7AB Tel: 01234 408 464 Email: greys@biltt.org
The Avenue Centre for Education, Cutenhoe Learning Park, Cutenhoe Way, Luton, LU1 3NJ Tel:01582 748 800 (Pupil Referral Unit). Registered for AQA,OCR, Edexcel, WJEC and NCFE) Email: exams@avenuecentre.co.uk
== Buckinghamshire ==
Aylesbury Grammar School Walton Road, Aylesbury HP21 7RP. Accepted private candidates at around £120 per subject in 2018. At the time they required early registration for summer exams.
Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2RG. Tel: 01494 782 066. Email: tdell@chacademy.co.uk This centre is listed on the JCQ exam centre list for Autumn 2021 exams.
Denbigh School, Burchard Crescent,Shenley Church End,Milton Keynes,MK5 6EX. Tel: 01908 505 030. Email: rawlinsonm@denbigh.net (Exams officer). This centre is listed on the JCQ exam centre list for Autumn 2021 exams.
The Exam House (Buckinghamshire branch) 128 The high street, Chesham HP5 1EB Tel: 01494 911116 Exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, CAIE and OCR. Access arrangements. Specialising in candidates who are not well served in schools and need specialist attention for exam sitting. NB. This is an inexperienced centre which some home educating families found communication difficulties with in 2021.
AQA lists the following additional centres in Buckinghamshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
CTS Education,1-9 Barton Road, MK Two Business Centre, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 3HU. Tel: 01908 821 091. Email: info@ctseducation.org
SIEVEMK Gateway, 1st Floor, The Point, 602 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3GN. Tel: 01908 662 166. Email: info@sievemk.org.uk "Pearson VUE authorised Test Centre and OCR registered Exam Centre" 
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== Cambridgeshire ==
Abbey College, Abbey Road, Hollow Lane, Ramsey PE26 1DG. "Abbey College does accept External Candidates if they are over 16 and the exam is not a controlled assessments/coursework or speaking unit. Please e-mail exams@abbeycollege.cambs.sch.uk with your contact details, the Exam Board, and specification and unit codes. We will then send you a quote. "
Cambridge International School. Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton,CB1 8DW. "CIS accepts a number of private candidates each year for both the November and the June series. If you are interested in taking exams with us, please email our Exams Officer, Mrs Sally Jordan at examsofficer@cischool.co.uk"
IQ Plus Exam info page here. 29 Alexandra Road, Peterborough PE1 3DE. Tel: 01733-551111 Email:admin@iqplus.co.uk No CAIE
Park House School Wisbech Road,Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0SA. Tel 01753 271187. On the expensive side, but they take private candidates. (last updated January 2018)
Tutors & Exams (St Neots) Suites 1 & 2 Terek House, Sandpiper Cl, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8EP Tel: 024 76221008. Email: stneots@tutorsandexams.uk Part of the Tutors & Exams group across the UK. Dedicated exam centre for private candidates, with experience of supporting home-educated students. Subjects include languages, ICT, and Computer Science. Has a dedicated science laboratory in Birmingham that can deliver A Level Science practicals all year round, and access to another science lab in a London school for science practicals outside term time. Access Arrangements.
Exam centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies - CSS Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EN (Not taking private candidates - updated Jun 2021)
Hills Road Sixth Form College Cambridge CB2 8PE (taking private candidates - updated Jan 2024)
Longsands Academy, Longsands Road, St Neots, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE19 1LQ. Tel: 01480 223 354 Email: enquiries@astrea-longsands.org (listed as helpful during 2020 cancellations, but unable to support private candidates in 2021)
AQA lists the following additional centres in Cambridgeshire for private candidates (unconfirmed)
Greater Peterborough UTC, Park Crescent, Peterborough, Cambs, PE1 4DZ. Tel: 01733 715 950. Email: office@gputc.org
Parkside Federation Academies, Parkside, Cambridge, CB1 1EH. Tel:01223 712 600
The Neale-Wade Academy, Wimblington Road, March, Cambs, PE15 9PX. Tel: 01354 606 000. office@neale-wade.org. Exams officer email: lbennett@neale-wade.org
Red Balloon of the Air Cambridge do NOT take external candidates.
== Essex ==
ACE Learning 73A Station Road,Clacton on Sea, CO15 1SD. Tel: 01255 688896 (Ace learning also has a tutoring branch in Colchester and Dovercourt, but the exam Centre is in Clacton ONLY). Offers online tuition for home-educated children. Exam boards: Edexcel (possibly others, too). GCSE, IGCSE. Will do ICT practicals. A-levels for written exams only. No info on current fees.
Ark Education Centre, Unit 2, 388 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1TL. Tel: 020 3441 7272. GCSE, IGCSE, A level and functional skills. Exam boards: Edexcel and AQA. Info on IGCSEs, GCSEs, A levels. Functional Skills info here. Registration form here.
Frobel Learning, 67-73 Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11 8TG. Tel: 020 89 355931. Tel: 020 8591 7894. Email info@frobel.co.uk GCSE, IGCSE and A level. (And possibly Functional Skills). Exam registration: https://frobel.co.uk/exam-registration-process/
Learners Progress College Ltd, 3 Oakfield House, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EF Tel: 020 3475 5499. Exam boards: Edexcel and AQA. GCSEs, IGCSEs, A levels and Functional Skills.
Southend Adult Community College, Tel: 01702 445700, Email: Exams@southend-adult.ac.uk . AQA English language and maths (foundation or higher) ONLY. Offered to home educated students in Y10 and Y11. Access arrangements available, subject to assessment fee.
St Thomas More High School. Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 0BW. Tel: 01702 344 933. E-mail: office@st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk Edexcel, AQA, OCR, Eduqas. Has information specifically for private candidates online. No speaking exams or lab assessments. Access Arrangements possible. 
Tutors & Exams (Romford) Unit 5, Redwing Court, Ashton Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8QQ. Tel 024 7622 1008 Option 9. 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 for A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another science laboratory at a London school for Science practicals outside term time. Access Arrangements (SEN) friendly.   
Exam centres that have accepted private candidates in the past
Helena Romanes School Parsonage Downs, Great Dunmow CM6 2AU Tel: 01371 872560 x259
Honywood School, Coggershall CO6 1PZ Tel: 01376 561231 reportedly takes private candidates. An inquiry in 2020 suggested they are more likely to accept candidates in January and November sittings rather than the Summer. No exams in 2021 (updated Nov 2020)
Trinity Catholic High Woodford Green, IG8 0TP. Exams officer Tel: 0208 504 3419 ext 128. (No exams in 2021 - updated Nov 2020) 
New Rickstones Academy, Conrad Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2SD 01376 515 756 (No private candidates - updated 2018) 
Seevic College, Runnymede Chase, Kiln Road, Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1TW. Tel: 01268 882 621 (Only accepts ex-students as private candidates -updated Nov 2020) 
Teaseldown School, (Exceptional Ideas Ltd) The Sugar Loaves, 175 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3PX. Tel: 01440 785 566 (No private candidates - updated Nov 2020) 
The Bromfords School and sixth form college Grange Avenue, Wickford, SS12 0LZ (No private candidates - updated 2017)
Palmer's Campus (part of USPS College) Chadwell Road, Grays, RM17 5TD Tel: 01375 370 121(only accepts ex-pupils as external candidates - updated 2017)
AQA also lists the following additional centres in Essex for private candidates (unconfirmed): 
London College of Business, 6A Monteagle Court, 32-36 Wakering Road, Barking, IG11 8PL Tel: 020 85 912222 
Essex Dance Theatre, Dorset Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9UB Tel: 01245 476335 (Offers a course and exam for GCSE Dance. Unlikely for other exams.) 
Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Roding Lane, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6BQ Tel: 020 85 599160 (This college is permanently closed now - updated on Jan 2024) 
Woodford County High School, High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9LA Tel: 020 8504 0611 Exams Officer: exams@woodford.redbridge.sch.uk
== Hertfordshire ==
St Albans Independent College 69 London Rd, St Albans AL1 1LN. Tel: 01727 842348. Contact page GCSE, IGCSE, A-level. Exam boards: Edexcel, OCR, WJEC. Access arrangements including word processor. (Last updated November 2018). Fees listed here: https://www.stalbanscollege.co.uk/fees/ £260 per GCSE (updated Jul 2023)
St George's SchoolSun Lane, Harpenden, AL5 4TD. Tel: 01582 765477. GCSE, IGCSE, A-level. Exam boards: Edexcel, OCR, EDUQAS/WJEC, CIAE. Very helpful exams officer. Also able to accommodate winter exam sittings and those falling in half term. Were not able to help with assessed grades in 2020/21, but may be accepting entries for summer 2022. Look for updates here (last updated Jun 2021) No longer accepting new Private candidates, at least until 2024 (updated Jul 2023)
Melbourn Village College, The Moor,Melbourn,Royston,SG8 6EF. Tel: 01763 223 400 Ext: 212. Email: rlockett@melbournvc.org This centre is on the JCQ list of exam centres accepting candidates for Autumn 2021
The John Warner School Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0QF. Tel: 01992 462889. "We welcome external candidates to The John Warner School and can accept entries for the majority of exam boards." No exams involving oral, practical or coursework components. Exams Office: exams@johnwarner.herts.sch.uk Private candidate form is at the bottom of this page.
Top Grades Learning St Albans 66-68 Stanhope Road, St Albans, AL1 5BL. Tel: 01727 743700. Email: examsoffice@topgradeslearning.co.uk, Functional Skills, GCSE, IGCSE, A level. Exam boards: Edexcel and AQA. Offered Teacher Assessed Grades in 2021.
Watford Girls' Grammar school Lady's Close, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0AE. Tel: 01923 223 403. Email: admin@watfordgirls.herts.sch.uk Have accepted private candidates in the past, but currently no information about PCs on their website. (not taking private candidates - updated on Jan 2024)
Exam centres that have accepted private candidates in the past:
The Highfield School Highfield, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3QA Pauline Levet levetp188@highfield.herts.sch.uk or try exams@highfield.herts.sch.uk Only Edexcel for Summer entries. (Not currently accepting private candidates - updated Nov 2020)
== Norfolk ==
East Norfolk Sixth Form College - Church Lane, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, NR31 7BQ. Tel: 01493 662234. Email: info@eastnorfolk.ac.uk . Contact page here. AQA accredited for certain subjects.
INTO University of East Anglia Norwich Accepts external candidates for all Cambridge IGCSEs and GCSEs without NEAs (No private candidates for summer 2021, but was hoping to resume for autumn 2021)
Norwich Hellesdon High School 187 Middleton's Lane, Norwich, NR6 5SB. Tel: 01603 424711 AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC (Last updated 2020. No current info.)
Norwich School - 71A The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DD Tel: 01603 728430 IGCSE: All subjects considered. January and May/June series. No coursework units, speaking exams or lab work. (Still accepting candidates updated Nov 2021)
Thetford Grammar School Bridge Street, Thetford, IP24 3AF. Tel: 01842 752 840 Contact page here . OCR, AQA, EDEXCEL, CIE and WJEC. (Exams officer Mr John Law hmsec@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk, Deputy Head Examinations Officer: Mr Glassbrook)
Exam centres that have accepted private candidates in the past: 
Attleborough Academy Norfolk, 9 Norwich Rd, Attleborough NR17 2AJ. Tel: 01583 452 335. Email: office@attleboroughacademy.org (Not accepting private candidates in 2017)
Wymondham High Academy, Folly Rd, Wymondham, NR18 0QT. Examination Officer - Caroline Cracknell, email: CracknellC@wh-at.net Totally professional and accommodating. (Not accepting private candidates in Nov 2020)
AQA lists the following additional centres in Norfolk for private candidates (unconfirmed):
Aurora Eccles School, Quidenham, Norwich, NR16 2NZ Tel: 01953 887 217 Tel: 01953 887 217. 
Aylsham High School, Sir Williams Lane, Aylsham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 6AN Tel: 01263 733 270. Email: office@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
Eastcoast College, Suffolk Road, Southtown, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0ED Tel:01493 655 261 / 01493 419 289. Email: myfuture@eastcoast.ac.uk
Hellesdon High School, 187 Middleton's Lane, Hellesdon, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 5SB Tel:01603 424 711. Email: principal@hellesdonhigh.norfolk.sch.uk
Langley School, Langley Park, Loddon, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 6BJ Tel: 01508 520 210. Email: office@langleyschool.co.uk
Norwich City College Of Further And Higher Education, Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR2 2LJ Tel: 01603 773 455. Email: information@ccn.ac.uk
Northgate High School, Northgate, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2EU Tel: 01362 697 033. Email: office@northgate.norfolk.sch.uk
OneSchool Global UK Swaffham Campus, Medeshamstede Education Trust, Turbine Way, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7XD Tel: 01760 336 939.
Red Balloon - Norwich, 76 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DF Tel: 01603 622 288. heather.jolly@rbnorwich.org.uk
Sheringham High School, Holt Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8ND Tel: 01263 822 363.
Wymondham College, Golf Links Road, Morley St Botolph, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SZ Tel:01953 609 000.
== Suffolk ==
Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6TX. Tel:01284 728615. Email: reception@culford.co.uk Exams officer: Mr J Veitch Justin.Veitch@culford.co.uk ("no to Cambridge exams, and no coursework")
St Felix School, Southwold, IP18 6SD. Tel:01502 722 175. Email: exams@stfelix.co.uk Exam boards: Edexcel, OCR, AQA, CAIE, WJEC.
Summerhill School, Leiston, IP16 4HY Tel: 1728 830540
Thomas Gainsborough School - Great Cornard, Sudbury, CO10 0NH. Tel: 01787 314311 Exam boards: AQA, , Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC. No subjects involving coursework. Exams officer: Lenny Crawford. 
Suffolk County Council EHE department list Unity Schools in Suffolk for private candidates (unconfirmed other than Thomas Gainsborough). 
Unity secondary schools are: 
Breckland School (Brandon) 
Castle Manor Academy (Haverhill) 
Bury St Edmunds County High 
Felixstowe School 
Newmarket Academy 
Samuel Ward Academy (Haverhill) 
Sybil Andrews Academy (Bury St Edmunds) 
Thomas Gainsborough School (Great Cornard) - see entry above 
Haverhill Community Sixth Form
Exam centres that have accepted private candidates in the past:
SENDAT Priory School, Mount Road, Bury St.Edmunds, IP32 7BH Tel: 01284 761934. Email: office@priory.sendat.academy. Update 14/6/24: Reported to not take private candidates. 
AQA lists the following additional centres in Suffolk for private candidates (unconfirmed):
The Everitt Academy, Hall Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8AX Tel:01502 559 330 Email: office@theeverittacademy.org.uk
Pakefield high School, London Road, Parkfield, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 7AQ Tel: 01502 530 750 Email: info@pakefield.org.uk
West Suffolk College, 18-20 Cornard Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2XA Tel:01787 880 619 email: info@wsc.ac.uk
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