Independent Schools

Supporting excellence in every learning journey

Every student, teacher and school have unique needs and aspirations. That’s why we’ll work with you to create the best suite of teaching, learning and training solutions for your school.

Bringing together your knowledge and leadership with our content and assessment expertise, we can support academic excellence and holistic development for every student.

Services to support your school

Onscreen Assessment

Thousands of students are already taking our app Edexcel GCSE and International GCSE exams onscreen, and more options are available every year.

There are currently 9 International GCSEs available for onscreen assessment for UK Independent Schools. Plus, our GCSE in Computer Science, Paper 2, is assessed onscreen.

Qualifications and assessment

We believe in helping all learners to achieve their potential, regardless of their background, ability, or learning style.

app is in a unique position to offer UK independent schools a broad range of qualifications from International GCSEs, GCSEs, PQs, A levels and BTECs to suit all schools and learners.

Project Qualifications

An exciting suite of qualifications for students of all abilities and interests to carry out self-directed learning, or for teachers looking to accredit bespoke programmes of study.

Foundation, Higher and Extended Project Qualifications are available and optional thematic pathways include our new EPQ in Artificial Intelligence.

Resources for primary schools

We're home to some of the UK’s most popular Primary resources, from our Bug Club Family addressing key aspects of the DfE’s Reading Framework – phonics to skilled reading – to Power Maths, our whole-class maths mastery programme created in partnership with White Rose Maths. We provide teachers the very best programmes, assessment and PD for Reception to Year 6.

Resources for secondary schools

Our winning combination of Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 print and digital learning resources are designed to help every learner make progress, and reach their next step.

Highlights include our new 2024 French, German and Spanish GCSE resources.

Activehub

ActiveHub is our digital teaching and learning tool, designed for school leaders, teachers and learners.

The platform is a one-stop shop, bringing together assessments, rich data insights, as well as front-of-class and independent intervention resources for Key Stages 3 & 4 in one single space.

Mocks Service

The app Edexcel Mocks Service provides schools and colleges with GCSE, International GCSE and A level exams for use in mocks. We also offer a Moderation Service that can support teacher CPD. With both onscreen and paper-based options available, the Mocks Service can help your students gain vital insight into the examination process, while saving you valuable time.

app Revise

A blend of print and online materials that provide unbeatable exam insight and practice, full topic coverage, and tips from examiners. Our books and app Revise Online – featuring digital tools including quick quizzes, a revision planner, and online flashcards - can help every student revise independently with confidence, with in-built features to support their wellbeing.

Learn more about app Revise

PD Academy

The app PD Academy is an online portal that supports all teachers and educators in their continuous professional development.

Explore our range of free and paid-for courses today.

You may also be interested in...

The app School Report

The app School Report provides an in-depth, independent look at the education system, from the people who work at its core – and is the latest step in our mission to collaborate, listen and learn from each other to drive forward positive change.

Read the 2024 report

Curriculum and Assessment Review

The Curriculum and Assessment Review gives us and the wider sector the opportunity to share our views on how curriculum and assessment can bring together a love of learning with fundamental knowledge and skills.

Explore our recommendations

The Olympic Mindset Podcast

What do Olympians and educators have in common? That’s what The Olympic Mindset Podcast seeks to answer. Join Dominic Broad (Director of Education at Thrive Education) and his guests as they take the extraordinary experiences from athletes (and beyond) and apply them to school leadership, wellbeing and everyday life.

News and insights

  • Change of awarding organisation name from Edexcel to app

    The name of our awarding organisation is changing from Edexcel to app from April 2013.

    As you may know, app has been the parent company of the awarding organisation Edexcel since 2003. In 2010, the legal name of the Edexcel awarding organisation became app Education Limited - although, with the agreement of the regulator, we continued to use the name Edexcel for our awarding activities on the understanding that we would move to app in the near future.

    In summer 2010, the awarding organisation EDI plc also became part of app. From April 2013, all qualifications that would have been regulated as part of EDI will be the responsibility of app Education Limited.

    With this in mind, we've decided that now is the right time to apply the app name to all of our awarding activities.

    So, from 3 April 2013, our awarding organisation listing on the Register for Regulated Qualifications is ‘app’ rather than Edexcel. All app qualifications will begin with app in their title, followed by our existing brands (BTEC, Edexcel, EDI and LCCI). An Edexcel GCSE in Mathematics will be a app Edexcel GCSE in Mathematics; similarly, the title of a BTEC qualification will be 'app BTEC Level 2 in Art and Design', for example.

    What does this mean for you?

    In practical terms, this now means:

    • On the Register of Regulated Qualifications our qualifications will be listed under app as the awarding organisation, although Edexcel, BTEC, EDI and LCCI will be searchable in the qualification title box.
    • We’re in the process of changing all app Education Limited qualification titles so they start with the preface ‘app’ on RITs (Ofqual's regulated qualifications listing system). We’ll continue to use the names Edexcel, BTEC, LCCI and others, but prefaced by app to make it clear who the awarding organisation is in official titles. You’ll see these changes to qualification titles over time on a range of documents, including specifications, sample assessment materials and certificates.
    • If you're in Scotland, you may also notice some changes to our qualification titles. app Education Limited qualifications offered in Scotland will start with 'app'. However, there will be no titling change to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), as these don't carry the awarding organisation name.
    • Some documents and letters you’d previously have received from Edexcel will now be from app.
    • Employees and consultants supporting our awarding organisation, such as Assessment Associates, will no longer be described as working ‘for Edexcel’, but as working for app Qualifications Services. This reflects the fact that these employees work to support our full range of products, not just those from Edexcel.

    You’ll notice changes to reflect our new approach over the next few months, although some things (our web presence for example) will take longer to change. We hope you'll bear with us as we continue to work towards a single identity for our awarding organisation.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does Edexcel still exist?
    Yes. Edexcel is a product brand from app. BTEC, EDI and LCCI are also product brands from app. The business unit within app that was known as Edexcel is now app Qualification Services.

    What is app Qualification Services?
    app Qualification Services is the department and teams within app that develop and support the full range of Edexcel, BTEC and EDI qualifications.

    Are your qualifications still accredited in the same way?
    Yes.

    Will your qualifications still be recognised by universities and employers?
    Yes.

    How does this affect qualifications in Scotland?
    The Scottish Qualifications Authority also recognises our awarding organisation name as app. Scottish BTECs will now have app in the official title and existing Edexcel qualifications will also have app in the official title. There will be no titling change to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) as these do not carry the awarding organisation name.

    How will app support me to deliver qualifications?
    We’ll continue to use the existing systems to deliver Edexcel and BTEC qualifications. Edexcel Online will continue as a service for administrators, providing support at every stage of the qualification cycle. We’re currently working to bring together all our app systems to improve and streamline the way we communicate with you, and we’ll keep you updated and involved as we make progress with this.

    Can I still use ResultsPlus?
    Yes. Your Edexcel Online username and password will continue to give you access to ResultsPlus.

    Will this change affect learners in any way?
    No. There will be no impact on learners or the way you register a learner for a qualification. However, over time you'll see changes to the title of the qualification on documents and certificates as app qualifications will begin with app in the title, followed by our existing brands like BTEC, Edexcel, EDI and LCCI. For example, an Edexcel GCSE in Mathematics will be a app Edexcel GCSE in Mathematics; similarly, the title of a BTEC qualification will be 'app BTEC Level 2 in Art and Design'.

    Am I still an Edexcel, BTEC or EDI Approved Centre?
    Yes. Nothing is changing in the way we approve centres to deliver our qualifications, and you’ll continue to be an Edexcel, BTEC or EDI Approved Centre.

  • Our response to the government consultation on vocational qualifications

    app UK president Rod Bristow had this to say about the government proposals to reform vocational qualifications for 16-19 year olds in England.

    Rod said:

    “At a time when the demands of higher education and the needs of employers are changing rapidly, it is right that we should be reviewing vocational qualifications, just as we are academic qualifications. Young people deserve assurance that the qualifications they take in school or at college will give them the knowledge and skills they need to go on and meet their ambitions, and will not close off opportunities.

    “There is clear evidence that those who achieve high-quality vocational qualifications go on to excel in higher education as well as in work. We should be aiming to build on that success.

    Nearly one hundred thousand young people progress to university study with a BTEC every year, and the data demonstrates that vocational qualifications lead to educational progress, greater employability and higher earnings.”
    “Our goal is to create world class vocational qualifications which empower young people to progress and to compete with their peers globally, in higher education and in work.”

  • Our response to High Court judgment on 2012 GCSE English results

    app UK president Rod Bristow has commented on the judgment from the High Court in relation to the 2012 GCSE English results.

    He said:

    “We understand this has been a time of uncertainty for students, teachers and parents. We are pleased that the courts have investigated the evidence thoroughly and found that our awarding processes were rigorous and fair.

    “Yet there is much to be learned from the events of this summer. We will now focus on working even more closely with the regulator, government, higher education and employers to secure the confidence of students, parents and teachers in the values and standards of our exam system.”