Private GCSE homeschooling in London and Online
GCSE Homeschooling
at Keystone
At Keystone Tutors, we have extensive experience providing tailored homeschooling support to students preparing for their GCSEs or IGCSEs. Using subject specialist tutors, we offer both full-time and part-time one-to-one homeschooling programmes designed to help students cover significant portions of the curriculum in a structured, efficient, and nurturing way.
At Keystone Tutors, we have extensive experience providing tailored homeschooling support to students preparing for their GCSEs or IGCSEs.
Why Parents Come to Keystone for GCSE Homeschooling Support
For some children, the traditional classroom is not the right fit. There are a number of reasons why a child might not flourish in traditional schooling; mental health issues, bullying, special educational needs that can’t be met by the school.
Alternatively families might be looking to make a lifestyle choice and want an alternative approach to education that caters to their child’s unique needs and aspirations. There are also those children who find it difficult to commit to conventional schooling because of sporting, professional or travel commitments. The key areas that make our GCSE Homeschooling successful are as follows:
Our GCSE homeschooling tutors are subject experts, many of whom have taught in leading independent schools or hold advanced degrees in their fields. They understand the demands of the GCSE syllabus across exam boards and are skilled at preparing students for GCSE exams. With targeted support, they identify knowledge gaps, clarify misunderstandings, and equip students with the skills and strategies they need to perform well in their exams.
We work with a team of tutors experienced in supporting students with a range of learning difficulties and special educational needs. The one-to-one homeschooling format offers the flexibility and focused attention many students need to thrive. Tutors are able to adapt material to suit each learner’s pace, processing style, and confidence level, creating a nurturing environment where students can ask questions freely and progress without pressure.
Each homeschooling plan is designed around the student — from the number of subjects and session frequency to exam preparation and enrichment opportunities. We collaborate closely with parents to ensure the programme is academically rigorous, well-paced, and motivating.
We have the option for our homeschooled students to take part in a half-termly study skills course. The course covers material organisation, effective working schedules, revision timetables and homework planning
We offer the chance for our homeschooled students to have a tutor mentor, who provides weekly support and acts as a guide throughout their studies.
If a student does not yet have an exam centre, we can offer advice on where would be best for them to sit the exams, including exam centre recommendations.
If you want to find out more about homeschooling with Keystone and see if it is the right solution for your child, you can book a free consultation with Poppy, our Head of Homeschooling. Poppy will be able to answer any questions you might have and discuss the best options for your child.
Weekly Schedule for
GCSE Students
For students preparing for their GCSEs, we recommend a more intense weekly schedule that includes:
- 3-4 hours per week for English, Maths and Science
- 2-3 hours per week for other subjects
- Independent assignments and regular assessments are set to track progress
If a student joins us mid-GCSE, we ensure a smooth handover from their previous school. Our tutors are briefed on the relevant exam boards and materials, and we can connect with former teachers to gather any needed background.
Our tutors also have experience in 16+ entry exams and can assist Year 10 and 11 students in preparing for these assessments.
How our homeschooling works
Our Homeschooling programmes are designed to support students starting from primary age, all the way up to A Levels. The process is as follows:
Step 1. Initial Consultation
There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to our homeschooling tuition at Keystone. Every child’s learning journey is different, which is why we begin with a consultation to understand your child’s starting point, and their education goals.
Step 2. Proposal
We will follow up after this call with a full proposal, and then can work to create a tailored timetable based on the child's specific needs. Each proposal is bespoke to the needs of the family and student. We will also recommend tutors for each subject, and you will get a chance to read about their experience and why we feel they are suited for the job.
Step 3. Programme begins
We can start at any points in the year, picking up where the child got too in their learning.
Step 4. Ongoing support
Through the programme we will provide regular reports, as well as parents meetings and student check ins (if required).
Explore some of our
Homeschooling packages
Popular Standard£300 (+ VAT) per year +Hourly Tutoring Costs* | Premium£3000 (+ VAT) per year *+Hourly Tutoring Costs* | |
|---|---|---|
| A Dedicated Homeschooling Manager | ||
| Weekly Student Well-Being Meetings | ||
| Half-Termly Tutor Reports and Progress Checks | ||
| GCSE and A-Level Exam Registration | ||
| Termly Parent Meetings | ||
| Study Skills Development Sessions | ||
| Super-Curricular Development Classes | ||
Our Homeschooling
Services
You will have a dedicated homeschooling manager, who will get to know your family and will be available via phone or email to help with timetabling, regular parent catch-ups and to answer any questions.
Students can also have regular meetings with their homeschooling manager, to allow a chance to feedback on how their week has gone, how they are finding their lessons and to raise any issues or queries.
Reports and Assessments (Included with Standard & Premium Package)
Written reports are emailed out either monthly or each half-term. Each tutor writes one, detailing what has been covered that term, how your child is doing and how they have been assessed. These are very useful for parents and guardians and can also be sent to future schools that ask for school reports. Students will be assessed formally at the end of each term, as well as regular informal tests to track progress.
Parents Meetings (Included with Premium Package)
At the end of each term, we offer parents' meetings – a chance for you to have a 15-minute conversation with each tutor, where they can recap the term's achievements and what has been covered. It is a good opportunity to get to know the tutors and to raise any questions. These are typically online unless lessons are taking place face-to-face.
Up to six hours of Study skills sessions are available each term to help with revision, timetabling and time management.
Example study skills:
- Revision techniques and common revision myths
- Note-taking
- Timetabling
- General organisation
- Planning independent study
- Organising materials and notes effectively
- Developing an effective working schedule (including understanding when and what conditions are most effective)
- How to approach exam papers and the lead up to exams
Super-Curricular (Included with Premium Package)
Our super-curricular learning programmes seek to develop and extend a student’s love of learning. They encourage students to build on areas of interest as well as exploring entirely new areas of learning. Our Premium Package includes up to 24 hours of super-curricular sessions throughout the year.
They are a chance for your child to join a small group of similar aged students and each term the focus will be on a different topic (incorporating aspects of critical thinking, current affairs, politics or financial literacy). Outside of these sessions, children will be set reading and optional research to enhance their understanding and discussions in the sessions.
Example super-curricular topics:
- Prime Numbers – Inspired by "The Music of the Primes" by Marcus du Sautoy. A course aimed at exploring the many fascinating things there are to learn about prime numbers, from their role in cybersecurity to their amazing history.
- Philosophy for Children
- Debating Club
- Drama Club – Focusing on famous plays or works of fiction
- Creative Writing – Children will look at great examples of descriptive writing, both modern and classical, and will discuss what makes them so powerful and timeless. They will have a go at writing for different purposes: to scare the reader, to make the reader laugh, to make the reader feel a sense of awe and wonder.
Feedback for Keystone Tutors
Here is a sample of the tutors we represent
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 and are committed to tutoring as a career and profession. We believe these factors make a unique difference to the level of commitment we can assure, as well as the quality of teaching we can provide.
Madeleine is an Oxford graduate and a writer. She tutors across the age range and has experience supporting a wide range of learning styles. Madeleine has taught over 4,200 hours through Keystone.
Alice read English Literature at the University of St Andrews, graduating with First Class Honours, before completing a PGDE at the University of Edinburgh. She has seven years’ experience teaching in Edinburgh independent schools, where she most recently served as Head of English.
Andrew is a qualified Teacher as well as an examiner. He has tutored for over a decade and his lessons are stimulating and highly informative. Andrew studied at Sussex University, did his Masters at Manchester University and his masters level PGCE at the Institute of Education.
Michael studied Classics at Oxford and subsequently completed his MA in Comparative Literature at UCL. He has led numerous Keystone courses as well as supporting over 210 Keystone families. Outside of tutoring, Michael is a keen writer and a thespian at heart.
Cameron is an experienced tutor with a Masters in Green Chemistry, Sustainability and the Environment from Imperial College London. He is passionate about Science and loves to encourage and motivate his tutees. When he isn’t tutoring, he is leading sustainability initiatives within the pharmaceutical sector.
Sam is a highly personable individual who teaches across the age range. He specialises in English, EFL and 11+. Sam is also a writer and has a love of language that he aims to pass onto his students.
Holly is a Cambridge educated tutor who covers a wide range of subjects. She aims to instill confidence within her students and encourages them to be intellectually independent.
Elizabeth is a fully qualified English teacher with a warm and encouraging character. She understands that every student learns differently and carefully adapts her lessons to help them make progress.
Leo is a retired Headmaster and a highly experienced teacher who now tutors full time. He tutors at Primary level and also teaches English up to A Level.
Jenny is a highly experienced Physics tutor who has many years experience within the Consortium schools. Jenny believes in a personalised approach to tutoring, ensuring confidence is instilled in every student, allowing them to reach their potential.
Zoe is a highly experienced tutor having worked at one of the UK's top public schools for 18 years. She teaches Spanish across the age range and loves to share her life-long fascination for Hispanic language and culture with her students.
Lucy is a qualified French teacher with over 20 years experience working at some of the UK's top public schools. Having taught hundreds of students of all ages and abilities, Lucy has an adaptable and highly engaging teaching style.
You have questions?
We have the answers.
Currently, in the UK, there is no legal requirement to declare when you take your child out of school. However, your local council may well approach you for details or proof that your child is still partaking in education. Our recommendation is therefore to get ahead of the game and alert the council to your plans. Keystone can provide information on the timetable, tutors and educational plan if required.
The curriculum will typically follow the standard curriculum for that age group:
- Key Stage 1: 5 – 7 (Years 1 & 2)
- Key Stage 2 :7 – 11 (Years 3 – 6)
- Key Stage 3: 11 – 14 (Years 7 – 9)
- Key Stage 4 / GCSE: 14 – 16 (Years 10 – 11)
- Key Stage 5 / A Level: 17 – 18 (Years 12 – 13)
Unless there is another goal in mind, we will follow as above. For those students approaching school entrance exams, we have specific tutors who are able to support with this preparation.
When a student is approaching GCSE & A Level exams, the process needs to be a little more considered. We are not an exam centre and as such we can’t decide on exam boards for your student. We are able to support with tuition for all exam boards but the final choice of which your child takes will be down to you. The tutors that you have will be happy to comment on the different exam boards, and answer questions, but ultimately the decision will lie with the parent/guardian. We would recommend looking on the different exam board websites, and see which curriculum interests your child most. Additionally, if they have just left a school it can work well to follow the exam boards that their school was working with.
We can offer homeschooling in all academic subjects, and can provide theory support for Art, Music and Drama. Alongside this, we have fewer tutors in more niche subjects such as Russian but we are always happy to discuss what we can and can’t offer, and come to you with suggestions if we are not able to help.
We are not an exam centre, so all exams are sat externally to Keystone. Our top recommendation is, if possible, to contact your child’s old school to see if they can sit the exams there. If not, we have a number of recommendations of exam centres in London.
If you are based abroad, we always recommend contacting the British Council as your first port of call. We can invigilate mock exams, as well as school entrance exams (with the permission of the school.)
As we are not an exam centre, we are not able to grade coursework. Whilst we can mark a piece of coursework, the final piece will be moderated and graded by your exam centre. Guidance on this will come from your chosen exam centre and may differ case on case.
At Keystone we construct a bespoke homeschooling timetable to meet the needs of each student. We can vary start and end times and incorporate breaks into the day to ensure that the day works for the student and family.
As a rough guide, we tend to recommend the following for each age group:
Primary:
3 hours of English, 3 hours of maths, 2 hours of science and 2 hours of any further subjects (languages, humanities etc) per week.
Secondary:
4 hours of English, 4 hours of maths, 3 hours of science and 2 hours of any further subjects (languages, humanities etc) per week.
A Levels:
4 hours per subject per week
Of course, not all students will take all of the above subjects, but this is a rough guide. We will always incorporate English and Maths, and most of the time Science, into timetables unless there are reasons this is not required.
As with timetabling, the dates of half-terms and holidays for your child’s homeschooling with Keystone can be completely bespoke. Many families chose to follow traditional school holidays, to tie in with siblings and friends. This may not always work for your family however, especially if homeschooling is being tied into travel or a move abroad. Therefore, we are happy to follow whichever pattern you feel is appropriate.
Homeschooling at Keystone is billed based on a tutor’s hourly rate. These rates range upwards from £86.00 (inc VAT) an hour, with our top rates being £186.00 (inc VAT) per hour. Typically, our homeschooling tutors are around £100.00 (inc VAT) an hour. Factors such as the goal of the student, the length of the programme and the age of the child all play into how many hours we would recommend. This then dictates how much the price will be.
A primary school student is likely to be doing around two hours a day, a secondary school student will be three, a GCSE student may be up to four or five and then A Level is, as above, twelve hours a week (based on three A Level subjects).
We also have two different homeschooling packages, details of which can be found here.
Yes – many students come to us who want to study some subjects at their school, or are only able to attend school part-time. We can fit in with the timetable, and allow you the chance to keep up to date with your learning alongside being at school part-time.
Yes, we have many students who choose to meet a tutor in person for some of their lessons, and combine this with online learning. We have classrooms in our office in West London, and tutors can also come to your home (location dependent).
Yes, our homeschooling is designed to be flexible to fit in with your family schedule and plans. We will adapt to different time zones, and changes in availability.
Yes – we support lots of students who are doing A Level or GCSE retakes, alongside travelling, working or school timetables.
Absolutely – all of our tutoring can be done online to ensure everyone can access it.
You can book a free consultation with our homeschooling team at this link or contact us via the website here. We would be delighted to answer any further questions you may have or discuss setting up homeschooling for your child.
