Private tutors in London and online
About Keystone
Tutors
Since 2007, we have sought to run an organisation that is defined by its professionalism and energised by the transformational power of tutoring.
A uniquely powerful way to learn
with Keystone Tutors.
Keystone Tutors was founded in January 2007. It is widely regarded as one of the most professional and trustworthy private tutoring organisations in London. Its tightly-knit team of 200 tutors, many of whom are professional private tutors or ex-teachers from top UK independent schools, have all been rigorously screened and are known personally.
Successful tutor placement
Keystone was founded on the belief that one-on-one tutoring is a uniquely powerful way to learn. Our years of experience have shown us that there are three essential parts to a successful tutor placement.
Before we can help a student, we often need to spend quite a significant amount of time learning about the student's requirements. Most consultations are carried out over the phone or on a video call. They are led by our Client Managers, who collectively bring nearly 50 years of experience in education, with many having backgrounds in teaching, tutoring, and edtech.
Our students’ needs vary hugely, and we are often asked to help in intricate cases, such as setting up a home-schooling programme. Via our detailed consultations, we make sure that the objectives of each tutoring placement are well established from the outset.
If it is deemed necessary, we often arrange for students to be academically assessed. This is usually done by one of Keystone's permanent staff. The assessor helps parents set realistic goals for the tutoring, and passes a thorough report to both the tutor and parent detailing areas requiring attention.
Keystone has a comprehensive knowledge of the UK education system and during the initial consultation we often advise parents on how best to incorporate tutoring alongside the demands of school and home life. Indeed, many of Keystone’s tutors and consultants are current or ex-classroom teachers, and Keystone’s approach seeks to support the work of schools wherever it can.
The selection of the tutor is an integral part of our process.
Our Client Managers discuss each placement in exact detail with our Tutor Management Team. Priding ourselves on how well we know the varying strengths of each tutor, we ensure that each decision is informed by the expectation of a successful match between the tutor and student. Keystone Tutors has a rigorous tutor selection procedure and we look to ensure that we put forward the very best candidate for each role.
We make contact with the parent after the first lesson to find out how the lesson went, and to see whether the stated objectives are realistic or need adjusting.
Tutors submit a monthly report detailing:
- the focus of that month’s tutoring
- the form of assessment used
- the student's achievements and areas for further work
- the focus for the coming month
The regular, rigorous reporting of the tutors we represent is frequently praised by parents.
Interested in finding a tutor for your exams?
Keystone is unique in employing over 60 UK based professional tutors on a full-time basis. Our employed tutors engage with Keystone's bespoke professional development programme, work exclusively for Keystone on a fully employed basis, and are committed to tutoring as a career and profession.
How our online
Tutoring Works
Step 1: Free Consultation
Before we can help a student, we often need to spend quite a significant amount of time learning about the student's requirements. Most consultations are carried out over the phone or on a video call.
Step 2: Find a Tutor
The selection of the tutor is an integral part of our process. Priding ourselves on how well we know the varying strengths of each tutor, we ensure that each decision is informed by the expectation of a successful match between the tutor and student.
Step 3: Monitoring and Feedback
We make contact with the parent after the first lesson to find out how the lesson went, and to see whether the stated objectives are realistic or need adjusting.
FAQs
The tutors we represent are dedicated to their work, and receive outstanding evaluations from their students. After a strenuous screening process, we tend to choose intelligent and likeable tutors who enjoy relating to, and setting high standards for, their students. While it is a truism that intelligence does not make you a good tutor, we like tutors to be passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects so that they can field the most curious of questions from their students. Self-confidence and inspiration derive from such strong relationships we feel.
Professional Tutors
Keystone is singular in its commitment to professionalise tutoring. Rather than having a loose body of tutors, we have pioneered the first professional tutoring contracts in the UK. We have attracted tutors who see tutoring as a career, and behave accordingly. They train regularly, always looking for ways to improve their craft; they have access to materials that Keystone has developed in-house; most importantly, they have a long-term, committed professional disposition.
Teachers
Keystone is also fortunate to have a number of ex- or part-time teachers amongst its ranks. The combination of their teaching experience and subject knowledge enables teachers to be highly effective in the one-to-one environment.
Tutors
Most of Keystone’s tutors are committed to tutoring for the longer term. They are usually well aware of their plans for the next two or three years, at least, and use tutoring as their main source of income around vocational plans.
In its ambitions to professionalise tutoring, Keystone Tutors only represents tutors who can commit for more than two years. We do not train all of the tutors we represent. Our teachers, or those tutors who have already been tutoring for more than ten years, do not need it (though they get a good briefing from us before each lesson). Our Professional Tutors go through a rigorous on-going training programme; this training is modular and unique.
All training sessions are designed and delivered by experienced educational professionals, including our Managing Director, Ed Richardson.
We think that educational materials for tutors and parents are one of the most important and exciting developments for the sector.
Keystone has designed many of its own proprietary and professional materials.
We also have an extensive library of school-specific past papers to which tutors have access.
Where we have not written our own materials, we have an exhaustive database of recommended materials. Galore Park is great in many cases, but will not suffice for home schooling, for instance.
We make contact with the parent and tutor after the first lesson to discuss the reactions of both, and to see whether the stated objectives are realistic or needs adjusting.
Tutors are expected to submit a monthly report detailing the work done in the month; the successes and areas to work on; and the work for the coming month. Our regular, rigorous reporting is frequently praised by parents.
The simple answer is yes. Many children around the world benefit enormously from online tutoring, for the same reasons as those who receive in-person tutoring. Expert teaching, advice, and guidance, tailored to your child’s specific educational needs and goals, will make a difference to their academic performance no matter the format used to deliver it.
The key factor, whether online or in-person, is the tutor in question - are they able to build trust, truly understand your child’s needs, and deliver engaging and effective tuition? Good online tutors understand the need to do this and take pains to ensure that though their tuition may take place at a distance, its impact on your child should be just as keenly felt.
Keystone Tutors has a rigorous selection procedure. We are frequently told by tutors that we are the hardest agency to join. Besides the essential background checks (Enhanced DBS including Children's Barred List), verifying qualifications and collecting references) the selection process is as follows:
- Tutors submit an application and are judged on their experience, how long they can commit for (we only take tutors who can commit for over two years), and their academic record. Tutors are also asked what their TED talk would be on, and their answer is discussed at the beginning of the interview.
- All tutors we take on are interviewed. Tutors have an interview that assesses both character and academic ability. Prospective tutors are required to teach a practice lesson and are judged on their preparation and delivery. They are also required to sit an academic assessment.
Yes, we offer a trial lesson. With Keystone, you are not required to sign up for any minimum number of lessons, and we offer one-off paid trial lessons so that your child can determine if the fit is right for them. This allows students and parents tutoring through Keystone before committing to regular sessions. The trial lesson is charged at the tutor’s full hourly rate and there is no obligation to continue if you feel it's not the right match.
