— Our Wonderful Candidates
your JourneyIs Our Goal
Many of the exam candidates who find there way to our exam centre are studying outside of the state school system.
A COMMUNITY – A FAMILY
Some have always been home educated, but some have previously attended school, but through no fault of their own have had to leave because they are experiencing significant and unsurmountable challenges in the school system.
Some have experienced significant bullying which has irrevocably impacted their mental health and caused high levels of anxiety making it impossible for them to go to school, or sit exams in a school environment.
SEND
NEURO-DIVERGENt
Some who are neuro-divergent with significant SEND needs, have attended schools that have been unable to meet their needs.
Many of these young people start to doubt themselves and their abilities and it is very challenging for parents/carers to see.
However, what is very clear to see when these young people step over our doors is that they are all lovely, well brought up, bright and extremely intelligent individuals.
every one is an individual, but never alone
Each and everyone one of them deserving to do well. Some are obviously exceptionally nervous when they first arrive, but although it seems unbelievable to say, they all leave our exam centre with a smile on their face with a great sense of achievement.
achieve
All Shapes & sizes
every one a winner
Achievement comes in all shapes and sizes and we know more than most that for some young people this is less about the academic achievement and more about facing their fears, working through their anxiety and actually managing to step over the door of an exam centre.
all types of success
This type of achievement needs to be celebrated. with this in mind last year we held our first celebration of achievement for private exam candidates who had sat an exam with us.
Whilst we celebrated those who had achieved high grades, we also focussed the celebration on candidates who had managed to conquer their fears and anxieties and step over our doors to sit their first exam.
Our special guest
His Royal Highness the duke of Edinburgh
We are honoured to be able to say that the Duke of Edinburgh was in attendance and all of the candidates got to speak to him and relay their stories. The Duke was wonderful and listen attentively to everyone and it was clear that he really understood the challenges faced by many on the road to education and that it is necessary for pathways to be very direct to suit the individuality of people. What an achievement!
First connections
Our first connection with our exam candidates is often via their parent/carer all of them wanting the best for their child. Some may be just about to embark on the home education/schooling journey and may be unsure about what they need to do and their next steps.
next stages
Other dialogues are with parent/carers who are at the end of the journey and trying to find a centre who can facilitate the exam for their child.
from all locations to all destinations
Most recently many dialogues have been with private exam candidates who at the beginning of their home education journey signed up with a DLP and without realising it signed up to sit their exam at the DLPs preferred exam centre which they have now discovered is miles away.
always on hand
Of course we are always on hand to try to help and it is vitally important for all private candidates to know that they are entitled to choose their own exam centre and they need to remind their DLP of this if they are being told they are unable to do so.
If you have paid money to a DLP for an exam in advance they simply need to reassign that finance to your preferred and local exam centre (if you have one that can facilitate the exams you require).
a Flynn
head of centre
We understand that every one of our learners and candidates is special and our team are here to help.
Articles
more from the Blog
Easter Paradise
Relaxation in Full Bloom 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...
Refining the Palette for Art
Refined Palette for Art 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...