London has a wide range of charities and initiatives that deliver 1-on-1 and small group learning to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. Keystone is proud to support a number of charitable initiatives and also deliver our own programme.
If you’d like to discuss our pro bono work further please do get in touch.
Current Pro Bono Work
Keystone University Programme
Keystone’s university programme supports exceptional and ambitious students who have academic potential but who may lack the know-how and support to win places and succeed at the UK’s most competitive universities. Our programme is led by experienced university consultants and subject specialist tutors ensuring students are comprehensively supported throughout their preparation. The programme comprises both small group teaching and larger workshops. Students on the programme are supported between the sessions by the provision of supplementary material allowing for focused independent preparation. Our programme takes place online using Microsoft Teams and all costs are covered by Keystone.
We try to target our work at families who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) but are not bound by this designation and take a broad view of the disadvantages that a family may face. The application deadline for 2022 is Friday 6th May and you can request an application form here.
"I got an offer for History at Trinity Hall today! I just wanted to thank you all so much for your all your amazing support the whole way through the process. From the source practises and to all the mock interviews - its all been incredibly useful and I could not have done it without your lovely support! Thank you so so much for everything!" (Tessa - student on the 2021 History programme)
“What I most enjoyed about the Keystone University Programme was not simply the stimulating academic discussion and valuable assistance for my Personal Statement but the friendliness, kindness and encouragement of the tutors – they were always willing to go above and beyond in aiding me through an often complicated process! Thank you Keystone – I have received a great offer from Durham! All in all, applying for the Keystone University Programme was the single most beneficial thing I chose to do for my UCAS application…Thank you immensely – I owe so much to the help I had from Keystone!!!" (Student from 2020 programme)
"I was offered a place to study maths at Pembroke College, Oxford today. Thank you for all the support you have provided….I really enjoyed the programme. I met a lot of areas of maths that I didn't think I was able to tackle at this stage, but the handouts that introduced those ideas were highly informative and gave me enough information such that I can learn something from conducting my own research. I also really appreciated the frequent seminars that were held to help with personal statements, choices for university (how different universities differ from each other and what to expect from each type) and course choices. On a more practical side, the programme provided you with work that would help you develop in your field, so for me maths, and above that a person that is highly capable in that field.” (Karrar - student on the 2021 Maths programme)
"The Keystone University Programme has proven to be nothing less than an enriching experience. It has allowed for a level of stewardship and self-reflection I would otherwise have not been able to attain at school, and has been as invigorating as it has been gratifying. Aside from cementing my academic inclinations it has also cultivated them, and with university just a year away it has left me more surefooted than I could have ever imagined." (Student from 2020 programme)
Westminster Platform
Keystone is proud to support Westminster’s ‘Platform’ initiative - an academic enrichment programme for Key Stage 2 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Keystone’s expert tutors deliver booster English, maths and reasoning workshops to help prepare students for successful transitions into Key Stage 3, including opportunities available at 11+, in selective schools in both the maintained and independent sectors.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity, we can’t get this kind of support without you”. (Parent from the 2019 programme)
“The best thing was being in a really small group with the teachers, they were great, I don’t get that chance normally”. (Student from the 2019 programme)
The Bridge With Godolphin & Latymer
We are delighted to have supported Godolphin & Latymer’s ‘The Bridge’ programme this year. This fantastic programme aims to provide academic enrichment for bright boys and girls from families who would not normally consider sending their children to independent schools. Our expert 11+ and Pre Test tutors delivered intensive, 5-day booster courses focussing on English, maths, reasoning and communication skills. The Keystone team also provided interview practice and advice and information about applications to independent schools including the financial support available. You can read more about The Bridge here.
“Keystone Tutors have provided over 30 hours of tuition for each student on the Bridge programme this year. Their expert tutoring has been motivational, inspirational, and invaluable for all the Bridge students, whether they have applied to selective schools or not.” (Godolphin & Latymer)
“Special mention to… all the tutors of Keystone. Thank you so much all the hard work.” (Parent of 2020 Bridge student)
Chelsea Academy Literacy and Numeracy Course
“The Keystone tutoring sessions were really useful. I was challenged a lot and I really like challenges so I can progress. The work was really good for my level and if I didn’t have it, I’d stagnating more than progressing” (Student from 2018/19 course)
“The tutoring was of a high standard and the students seemed to really enjoy the sessions.” (Teacher from Chelsea Academy)
West London Free School
Keystone runs a university preparation programme for Year 12 academic scholars at West London Free School. The programme aims to inspire students to apply to top universities (including Oxford and Cambridge), build critical thinking skills and support the students’ applications (personal statements, test preparation and interview practice).
Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation
We have been supporting the excellent Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation with free tuition for a group of students in the summer holidays as they transition to 6th form at independent schools. The goal of tuition is to ensure the students feel as confident as possible before starting their new schools by solidifying their subject knowledge in their chosen A Levels.
“Excellent confidence booster in preparation for the exams and for the academic rigour of a boarding school. Bespoke tutoring of the kind which the student’s family and the school could not possibly afford.” (Partner from the 2019 programme)
“The tutoring made my transition from GCSE to A level a whole lot easier and stress-free.” (Student from the 2020 programme)
Pro Bono Placements
Baraka Community Association
Baraka Community Association, a local organisation in North Kensington, provides academic support and a range of services including sports and leisure to young people from ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For over the last decade, Baraka has been boosting educational attainment of these young people specifically in Maths, Science and English through its supplementary school. We helped a GCSE group prepare for their English Language and Literature exams.
Carney's Community
We supported Carney’s Community, a charity that provides long term support for disadvantaged young people between the ages of 11-30, and engages them primarily through boxing, with tutoring for their Year 10 students as they approached their GCSEs.
“The tireless work undertaken by the dedicated staff at Carney's really transforms the lives of these young people, and any outside support is always enormously appreciated. Watching my mentee grow in confidence and ability over the past seven months has been fantastic; without doubt, volunteering here remains one of the most rewarding hours of my week.” (Keystone Tutor 2019)