Can I teach GCSE outside the 'system'?

[springchickennolonger]

I'm a qualified teacher, teaching privately on an ad-hoc basis. My degree is in languages and I've been teaching a bit of beginner piano. I have grade 8 theory and practical (LCM). I have been asked if I could teach GCSE music to a pupil privately and outside of the school setting and I've said 'no', for now. Is it possible to take gcse exams independently of the state system and if so, how? And would I be sufficiently qualified to teach music as it's not my degree subject? Thanks.

[Littlefish]

Have you looked at the syllabus? Do you feel able to teach all the different elements? I think that gcse exams need to be undertaken at a centre which is registered, such as a school or college, so I don't know if you would be able to enter an individual.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

For music it would be very difficult.

To enter students for gcse exams you have to be a registered exam centre which is a costly, time consuming process & not worth it for a private teacher with just a handful if pupils.

In the "old days" a student could enter a gcse privately by coming to an arrangement with a school or college to take the exam at their centre. However large parts of the course (the composition element for example) have to be undertaken over a number of weeks in a controlled assessment environment. It's not like taking a final exam

Performances & coursework has to be marked & moderated & this can only be done if you've been on the exam board courses I think.

What you can do is to give a child private tutoring for a subject they are taking at school. It would be a case of going through the syllabus very carefully & making sure you understood the requirements.

[springchickennolonger]

Thanks both. That confirms what I thought, pretty much.

[catslife]

Many home schooled students take iGCSEs as this doesn't have controlled assessments. Is this possible for music? There should be information about local centres that take private candidates on exam board websites.
Or alternatively how about tutoring them to take Grade 5 theory instead of GCSE as this is probably more highly regarded by musicians.