When school doesn’t fit, we do.
Official IGCSE and A-Level preparation for students learning outside the mainstream school system. Two programmes to match your situation, and the exams sat at our own examination centre in Madrid.
Who it’s for
Two programmes, two different situations.
We don’t pit the programmes against each other: each answers a different reality. Recognise yours and go into the detail.
Private Candidates
The flexible route.
This is for you if…
- You’ve already finished A-Level or IB and want to lift your grade for university.
- You need to resit or strengthen IGCSE subjects.
- You live outside Madrid or Spain and want an online format.
- You need to sit exams at short notice, e.g. start in September for the January series.
- You’re taking IB, it’s the only programme that covers it.
- You don’t need (or want) a daily on-site routine.
The Compass House Programme
The routine of a school, without being a school.
This is for you if…
- You want to be in full-time education and can’t or don’t fit a conventional school.
- A situation of health, learning needs or elite sport calls for a different framework.
- You’re a newly arrived or expat family re-joining the system after time away.
- You want routine, structure and community: somewhere to go every morning.
- You’ll take a full A-Level on an annual plan, not single subjects.
- You can come to Alcobendas, Monday to Friday, 10:00–14:00.
At a glance
The difference, in one table.
Same specialist teachers and the same exam centre, two very different ways of getting there. Here’s how the flexible route and the on-site course compare, point by point.
The exam happens at home
Think Ahead Official Exam Centre
Whichever programme you choose, the destination is the same: official exams sat at our own Pearson Edexcel examination centre in Madrid, with Cambridge series available through an associate centre. And after the exam, the university machinery, UNED, predicted grades, UCAS, Studielink, is part of the path. Same specialist teachers, same standard, since 2016.
Take the next step
Which one is yours?
“I need to prepare specific subjects, at my own pace or remotely.”
Lift your grade, resits, IB, online from anywhere, exams at short notice.
Go to Private Candidates“I want the structure of a school: timetable, a place, community.”
An annual on-site course in Alcobendas, with mentoring, pastoral care and follow-up.
Go to The Compass House ProgrammeNot sure which one?
Leave your details and we’ll point you the right way
Every situation is different. Tell us about the student and we’ll guide you on a call.