The Extra Mile

Many of the exam candidates who find their way to our exam centre are studying outside the state school system. Some have always been home educated, and others have previously attended school, but have had to leave because they are experiencing significant and unsurmountable challenges in the school system.

Artificial Intelligence, or A.I. is an exciting tool which students can use as part of their studies. However, this tool is a new technology and there are concerns that some may use it to gain an advantage over others. Read this artocle to discover how the exam boards and the regulator expect you to use A.I. in your studies.

When you step into our venue it doesn’t feel like an exam centre. People always comment how it’s beautifully decorated with an array of unusual artefacts, smells wonderful (someone even told us it reminded them of a spa), and one candidate referred to it being like stepping into a warm hug. We absolutely agree!

It’s that time of year again when our GCSE Art students are finalising their portfolios and getting ready to commence their Art examination, which is taking place the first week back after the Easter holidays. The work they have produced is phenomenal, but unfortunately we can’t share it here yet until the exam has taken place and the art work has been moderated.

Lots of young people have attended our exam centre this week to sit their GCSE and IGCSE English Language spoken endorsements. We are one of very few exam centres in the UK to extend the offer of the spoken language assessment service to private candidates. This opens up the GCSE English Language qualification (with an array of awarding bodies) for private candidates.

People learn in different ways – some self-study, some engage a tutor and some use Distance Learning Providers (DLP – online courses, etc). Just as it is your choice to use any DLP you wish, so it also goes for using an exam centre of your choice. While there are some fantastic DLPs who know that private candidates are free to use their regional/local exam centre (if one exists), some providers are disadvantaging learners.