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 is running a pro bono university programme, looking for 12 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. For 2020, we are looking for applicants wishing to apply for undergraduate courses in English, history and maths.
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 will be supported between the face-to-face sessions by the provision of supplementary material allowing for focused independent preparation. 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. If you have any questions, and to apply, please do request an application form. The application deadline is Friday 30th April 2020.
Chelsea Academy Literacy and Numeracy Course
Keystone is currently delivering a Pro Bono course to pupils at Chelsea Academy in Years 7 and 8, focussed on their core literacy and numeracy skills. Our tutors work with students of various abilities using Keystone's bespoke materials to provide targeted support. The students are in groups of between four and six students, ensuring they receive a large amount of dedicated teacher attention.
“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 are running a university preparation programme for a group of 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)
“I am pretty sure if I hadn’t had those lessons I would be struggling now in economics, but now I am one of the best in the class.” (Student from the 2019 programme)
Pro Bono Placements
Keystone is often asked to find tutors for good causes. In these instances we are more than happy to help find tutors either on a volunteer basis or commission free basis. Having built up a fantastic database of tutors over a number of years we have been able to help a number of recent initiatives (see some examples below). Do get in touch if you would like Keystone to support a charitable initiative in this way. If you are a tutor who would like to be kept up to date about future opportunities please do email us.
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)