Your post was not clear. The ground exams have nothing to do with the question!
Yes; there is a new procedure for the PPL Skill Test. The examiners used by the school must be notified to the CAA see
IN-2012/156 If the Examiner has not been notified to the CAA by the school then individual permission is required. It would have been much simpler for the school to have sent a list of PPL examiners they use to the CAA.
The CAA clerks have no comprehension of weather or any of the other variables involved. If the examiner is nominated, then so long as you do it with that examiner they will just have to learn the facts of life!