A pioneering project led by educational experts to tackle the South West's "NEET" crisis will allow young people not in school to sit GCSE exams.
The initiative is led by researchers who are concerned the barriers to children without a school place taking their English and maths exams are driving up numbers of young people not in education, employment or training.
Devon and Cornwall have some of the highest rates of young people out of school in England. Some are thought to have withdrawn education due to challenges associated with their special educational needs and disabilities.
Without a school place it is difficult and expensive for these young people to sit GCSE exams.
Not being able to take GCSEs in English and maths can prevent young people from gaining a college or sixth form place or an apprenticeship or employment.
The University of Exeter, in partnership with Exeter College, Cornwall Council, Devon County Council and the exam board AQA, is applying for independent exam centre status, so some young people not in school can sit GCSEs there without having to pay.
The project is led by Dr Luke Graham and Professor Anna Mountford-Zimdars from the University of Exeter. The work is funded through philanthropic donations to the University of Exeter and by Devon County Council.
Dr Graham said: "This project is a fantastic example of organisations in the South West who care deeply about the young people who live here working together to unlock the barriers which would stop them achieving in life.
"Our aim is to remove some of the obstacles they face in taking GCSEs, so they can move on to work, training or further education. We are very grateful to AQA, our local authorities and Exeter College for partnering with us in this life-changing work."
Professor Mountford-Zimdars said: "Our research has shown how much families struggle trying to arrange for children not in school to take GCSEs in the South West. We hope this work will reduce the number of young people who are "NEET" in the region and give them an opportunity to thrive. We are sure this will change lives."
Jade Otty, Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group Deputy CEO, said: "We're proud to partner with the University of Exeter on this project. Exeter College's mission is to shape the futures of young people by delivering world-class education and training in the city and region and it's vital these opportunities can be accessed by anyone.
"Each year we have over 100 young people join us at College having not been in school and having no formal qualifications. Creating an independent exam centre that supports learners who may have previously missed out on exams will allow them to access the courses they really want to with us, and so will support them to rejoin and stay in education and training."
Selina Carby, whose son Zane is taking part in the project, said: "I saw this opportunity as the only way that Zane would be able to take his GCSE's. After being let down by his school I decided to home educate as a last resort but realised that taking exams as a private candidate is not only difficult to secure but expensive.
"Now Zane has not only got the opportunity to take his maths GCSE but also complete marked mock exams, giving him the chance to see what the real exam will entail. He wants to go on to college but needs his exams to do so, and he now feels hopeful this will happen. This has been invaluable for someone on the spectrum and I hope this pilot scheme goes on to help other families like ours."
This is a pilot year for the new exam centre. Young people will sit mock exams, before sitting their GCSEs this summer in English and maths. It is hoped many will then go on to further education.
This year 30 young people are participating and some already have offers to go on to study at Exeter College.
Dr Graham said: "We feel our exam centre will function as an educational pipeline, helping marginalised young people to "reset" their educational identity in an adult environment, successfully leaving past schooling difficulties behind. There is a clear regional demand, as seen by the fact that we had more than 100 applications in a week for our pilot."
In the future it is hoped those using the exam centre will be given academic coaching by University of Exeter trainee teachers, and as many as 200 people could take their GCSEs there each year.
Professor Mountford Zimdars said: "We feel this This project could become serves as a national blueprint for how universities can boost social mobility by providing additional infrastructure that supporting local authorities and schools currently lack."
Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council said; "Parents have a clear right to choose to educate their child at home for a number of reasons, and we respect that choice.
"But we also know that some young people who are not in school face real barriers to sitting GCSEs, particularly in English and maths. Without those qualifications, their options can often be limited and it increases the risk of them not being in work, education, employment or training.
