Specialist education provider in Rutland offers alternative routes to success after GCSE results
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 26 August 2026
A specialist education provider which supports learners in Lincolnshire and Rutland is helping young people to access alternative qualifications following this year’s GCSE results.
Esgate Education is offering rapid resits in maths and English for learners who narrowly missed out on the GCSE grades they need, as well as alternative qualifications with no exams.
The company, which supports local authorities and schools as well as young people and their carers, has opened the service more widely for the first time this year.
Founder and CEO Kerry Esgate-Green said:
“GCSE results can be a stressful time for learners, and for their parents and carers.
“Missing out on the required maths and English grades can be a barrier to taking the next step in education or employment. While GCSEs can be retaken later in the year, Functional Skills is an equivalent qualification that can be achieved within a couple of weeks.
“This won’t be the right solution for everyone but for those who came close to a grade 4, it creates an option to quickly secure an equivalent qualification and put their post-16 plans back on track.
“There is a route to academic success for all learners. Whatever their results, young people needn’t be disheartened or feel they have a lack of options. Our role is to help find the best way forward for each individual.”
Functional Skills Level 2 exams are the equivalent to the GCSE grade 4 required for most post-16 education or apprenticeships. The exam can be taken within days and results follow in just two to six days later.
A diagnostic test can determine how suitable the learner is to the qualification.
The exams can be taken on-site at Esgate Education’s learning centre, or remotely with cameras set up for invigilation.
Kerry said:
“Esgate Education is committed to nurturing young people through their education, building the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
“For those suited to a rapid resit approach, this means they won’t have to delay or alter their plans. For other learners, we can advise and guide them through alternative qualifications, such as those offered through NCFE without the need for exams. We can also arrange iGCSE resits, which can be taken at our learning centre, or remotely, in November, avoiding the need to do coursework.”
Esgate Education delivers on-site and remote teaching to learners aged five to 25. Based in Cottingham on the Northamptonshire, Rutland and Leicestershire border, the family-run firm works directly with young people and their families, as well as supporting local authorities. The team specialises in offering support for neurodiverse learners and can provide in-school support to Special Educational Needs Coordinators, known as SENCOs.
Learners, parents and schools can contact Kerry for more information by emailing kerry@esgateeducation.co.uk or calling 07539478874. Find out about Esgate Education’s services at https://esgateeducation.co.uk
