Examinations

Exam Results Certificates

GCSE Certificates from Summer 2025 will be available to collect from the school reception any weekday from end of November 2025. Students who remain on roll in sixth form will receive their certificates via the sixth form team. We ask that all other students email achievement@sharnbrook.academy to inform the school of your intention to collect in advance from early December 2025.

Collection times are Monday – Friday 9:30 am to 3.00 pm.

Certificates must be signed for, and written permission must be given by the candidate if a nominated person is collecting on their behalf. Accepted forms of written permission includes an email (sent from the candidates email address) or a formally written letter.

GCSE and A Level Examinations – Private (External) Candidates

Sharnbrook Academy is pleased to offer a limited number of places for private (external) candidates wishing to sit GCSE and A Level examinations at the Academy.

We currently offer thirteen standard GCSE subjects and twelve standard A Level subjects for private candidates and may also be able to accommodate additional subjects, depending on the qualification and its specific requirements.

This provision is designed to support candidates who are preparing for examinations independently. This may include, for example:

• home-educated students; or
• candidates wishing to resit previously completed qualifications

We are unable to accept private candidates who are younger than the equivalent of Year 10.

To apply, please complete our Private Candidate Application Form. Once your application has been received, our Exams Officer will contact you to discuss your requirements and confirm whether we are able to accommodate your chosen examination(s).

Please be aware that places are limited, and submission of an application does not guarantee that we will be able to accept an entry.

All applications must be received and processed, including full payment, by 31st January. Applications received after this date will be treated as late entries, should they be accepted, and will be subject to additional charges.

Our standard private candidate fees are:

• GCSE – £275 per subject
• AS Level - £350 per subject
• A Level – £400 per subject

The standard fee covers the costs associated with administering the examination on behalf of a private candidate, including:

• the relevant exam board entry fee;
• administration and processing of the examination entry;
• accommodation and invigilation for the scheduled examination(s);
• administration and processing of examination results.

Full details of our standard subjects and associated fees can be found below:

 We may be able to accommodate examinations in additional subjects; however, this will depend upon the requirements of the individual qualification and our ability to facilitate the examination. Where additional costs are associated with a particular qualification or its requirements, these will be discussed with the candidate before an entry is confirmed.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept private candidates for GCSE or A Level qualifications that include a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) component. Candidates should therefore check the specification for their chosen non-standard qualification carefully before submitting an application.

If you require Access Arrangements for your examinations, please provide as much relevant information as possible within your application. This should include details of any arrangements currently in place and copies of existing documentation such as the previously completed Form 8 or Form 9 should be shared for further discussion. Additional charges may apply where additional staffing, rooms or other resources are required to facilitate access arrangements. Any applicable costs will be discussed with you once we have reviewed your application and supporting documentation.

Please note that we are not able to assess external candidates for new access arrangements or establish a new need for arrangements as part of the private candidate application process. The Private Candidate Application Form must be completed before we are able to enter into discussions regarding individual access arrangement requirements.

If you have any questions about sitting examinations as a private candidate at Sharnbrook Academy, please contact our Exams Officer at achievement@sharnbrook.academy.

Exams Policy

Please refer to the Meridian Trust Exams Policy below. In addition to the central trust policy, please note that candidates are charged relevant examination entry fees for unauthorised absence from examinations.

Meridian Trust Examination Policy 2024-25

Exams guide

Details on how the exams are organised and the preparation required is detailed in this handy guide for parents and students.

Information for Candidates

Click here for information for candidates.