Course Content
How do the online courses work?
- What technology do I need: Each student will require a secure internet connection, a tablet or laptop (with a camera) and headphones if working in a communal space.
- What platform do you use: Our online courses are taught using Zoom - which is free to download. Your course confirmation email will include the Zoom link and this will be sent again 24 hours before the course starts.
- Online Tutoring Ground Rules: Given our considerable experience of teaching online lessons we have established a set of ‘Ground Rules’ for teaching and learning online. These rules can be found here: https://www.keystonetutors.com/news/online-learning-ground-rules-for-students.
What topics are covered in the courses?
The topics covered in each course can be found listed on the individual course page. Here it will also list what exam board each course is relevant for.
Who teaches your courses?
All courses are taught by Keystone Tutors who have been through our recruitment process and are extremely experienced. When each course goes live on the website you will be able to see the full profile of the tutor who is teaching the course.
What are the differences between GCSE and IGCSE syllabi? Can I attend your IGCSE course if I am taking the GCSE course?
In reality the differences between the GCSE and IGCSE syllabi are relatively minor – the majority of the content is the same, however, it can by covered in varying depths. With this in mind, there can be value in doing our IGCSE course if you are studying a GCSE syllabus but we recommend you review the topics covered in your chosen course carefully to ensure they are all relevant. If you are looking to simply review some of the core topics in the GCSE subjects then the courses will be useful, but if you are looking for an in depth and highly tailored course for your qualification, they will not be as useful.
Can I attend a GCSE course if I am in Year 10 or the A Level course if I am in Year 12?
With the exception of the Study Skills courses, you are only able to join our exam related courses if you are in the year of that exam (Year 11 or Year 13). This is due to the fact these are revision courses so the expectation is that the students will have all completed the course curriculum by the time the course takes place.
How do the courses tailor to different levels?
Given these are group courses, it is important to note that there may be a mix of abilities within the group. We deliberately keep the class size small (a maximum of 10 students) to ensure that enough attention is given to each student. If a student is highly advanced, or feels they are quite far behind, it may be more beneficial to look at our 1:1 tuition options, to ensure they are given the right amount of time and level of work.
Adminstrative Points
What happens if we miss a session and what is your cancellation policy?
- Cancellation Policy - Revision Courses: We operate a 7-day cancellation policy for the revision courses. We are unable to refund any cancellations made fewer than 7 days before the first day of the course. Occasionally we will have to cancel a course if there is not enough demand and in this case, we will always issue a full refund.
- Cancellation Policy - Weekly Cohorts: We operate a 28-day cancellation policy for the weekly cohorts. We are unable to refund any cancellations made fewer than 28 days before the day of the course. Occasionally we will have to cancel a course if there is not enough demand and in this case, we will always issue a full refund.
- Missing a session within a course: Unfortunately, due to the fact these are group classes, we are unable to offer refunds for any days missed and we cannot reschedule classes. Tutors will always try to provide work for the student if they miss a lesson, depending on the format, and will outline any homework. Please do take note of each day the course falls on however, before booking, as we recommend a student attends every session to gain maximum benefit.
Is it possible to join for a part of the course and miss some days?
Unfortunately, the courses are not designed to be joined midway through.
Why do you not run GCSE or A Level courses at other times of the year?
We chose to run these courses as Revision courses, so therefore they are placed as near to the exams as possible, to ensure that the tutor can revise topics with the students, rather than teach them new ones.