Keystone Tutors Blog
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Upcoming Webinars
Here are details of our upcoming webinars. Do join us live to ask any questions you might have or register below to receive a recording after the event.
Children's Writing Competition 2026
We were excited to announce the return of our Creative Writing Competition this summer 2026. We ran two competitions, so there was an opportunity for every age group to take part.Junior Competition — for writers aged 5–13 (Years 1–8)Senior Competition — for writers aged 14–18 (Years 9–13)This was a brilliant opportunity for students to build imagination, sharpen writing skills, and gain creative confidence over the summer.
How to Help Your Child Improve Their Writing
A practical guide for parents of primary-aged childrenEvery child develops writing skills at a different pace. Some children have wonderful ideas but struggle to organise them; others write accurately but need encouragement to develop their vocabulary or imagination. Small, consistent habits can make a significant difference to a child's writing development.
Webinar: How to Help your Child Succeed at School
Keystone's Managing Director, Ed Richardson, hosted a practical session that blends educational research on effective parenting with Ed’s own insights as a teacher, tutor, and educational researcher.Ed shares straightforward, achievable strategies parents can use to support their children’s success in school. These tips are designed to work in real life, helping you boost your child’s learning, confidence, and motivation.
How to Help your Child with Mental Maths
A practical guide for parents of primary-aged childrenIf your child is heading towards 7+ or 8+ assessments, or you simply want them to feel confident with numbers, mental maths is the place to start. It's built through short, regular practice rather than long sessions, and much of it can happen through games, shopping trips and conversation.
Webinar: The 7 Plus and 8 Plus
In this webinar Keystone's Managing Director, Ed Richardson, was joined by one of Keystone’s most experienced Professional Tutors, Steph Kitson-Smith, to discuss 7+ and 8+ entry processes and considerations. Ed and Steph looked to cover all key aspects of the 7+ and 8+ entry process, from registration timelines to assessments and interview formats. They advise on how and when to start preparing for assessments and interviews, and how to finalise your shortlist of schools.
Webinar : 11+ London Day Schools
This in-depth webinar on the 11+ entry process for London day schools, was hosted by Ed Richardson, Keystone’s Managing Director. Ed led this webinar with Harriet Brook, Keystone’s Head of Consultancy. Ed and Harriet provided expert guidance on all key aspects of the 11+ entry process, including when and how to start preparing for assessments and interviews, and how to finalise a shortlist of schools.
Webinar: How to Support Your Child Through Sixth Form
This webinar was led by our Managing Director, Ed Richardson. The session blended the latest educational research on effective parenting strategies with Ed’s own experience as a teacher, tutor, and educational researcher. The aim is to equip parents with practical, achievable, and impactful ways to support their children through the sixth form years.
A Guide to the TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)
What is the TARA?TARA stands for Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is a computer-based admissions test delievered by UAT-UK and is used by select UK universities (including UCL and Oxford) as part of their admissions process for certain courses (a full list is provided below).UCL began using the TARA in 2025 for candidates applying for 2026-entry (primarily for Computer Science, Management Science and Social Sciences).
A Guide to Dulwich College Admissions
Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, Dulwich College is a boys’ selective day and boarding school in London. Dulwich has a strong global brand with 11 outposts in other countries, including China, South Korea and Singapore. While it is certainly a very academically selective school, it also fosters an inclusive educational and social environment, and partners closely with its sister school James Allen’s Girls’ School.
A Guide to Charterhouse Admissions
Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the great historic public schools of England. With four centuries of history behind it, the school is committed to being at the forefront of educational progress in the twenty-first century. Located in Godalming, Surrey, the school became fully co-educational in September 2021 and now welcomes pupils from 13 to 18.
Which Schools Get The Most Oxbridge Offers?
The Spectator has once again published its annual table showing which schools received the most Oxbridge offers last year. Their figures show how well state schools – grammars, sixth-form colleges and others – compete with independent schools. As with the Spectator data from previous years, we thought it would be interesting to take a deeper dive into the data.
8 Plus Vocabulary List
Vocabulary plays a crucial part in all aspects of communication; listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children taking the 8 Plus exam will need to have a good range of vocabulary to call on in interviews, and when completing the reading, writing and reasoning aspects of the entrance exams.This age group will be developing their use of logic and understanding of cause and effect.
7 Plus Past Papers
Past papers are a great resource for anyone preparing to take an exam, no matter how young.
Oxford Maths Admissions Test (MAT)
Important update: The Oxford Maths Admissions Test (MAT) has been discontinued.The MAT was used by the University of Oxford from 2007 to 2025. In 2026, Oxford replaced the MAT with the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA).All applicants for Mathematics, Computer Science and relevant joint honours courses at Oxford must now take the TMUA instead.Applying to Oxford to study Maths? Read our Guide to the TMUA for the latest information on the test, format, preparation and key dates.
A Guide to Wycombe Abbey Admissions
Wycombe Abbey was founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove to create a girls’ education that was every ounce as good as boys’, through pursuit of excellence, development of talents, and an understanding of the needs of others. It has become one of the leading girls’ schools in the UK, renowned for its long-standing academic excellence and outstanding results.
The Importance of Super-Curricular Learning
Application to top UK universities is highly competitive. It is often not enough to simply have strong set of academic grades; admissions tutors will expect you to be able to communicate your enthusiasm and commitment to study your chosen subject at undergraduate level. This can be done most prominently in your personal statement, and also at interview, for those courses and institutions that do so.
University Choices
‘What shall I do when I leave school?’ is just one of a number of important questions students make during their final three years at school. But, it is one that they shouldn’t feel daunted by as this is an exciting time and, typically, the final step in their formal education. The most salient point to remember is that there is a spider’s web of people from whom they can seek advice: teachers, parents, friends and even current university students.
A Guide to A Level Retakes
If results day did not quite go as planned and you are considering an A Level retake, we have outlined the options and answered the questions we are commonly asked at Keystone.
How to write a standout personal statement for Oxbridge
On average, only 18-20% of applicants are successful at Oxford and Cambridge but this varies course by course. Making your application stand out requires more than just exceptional grades—it demands a personal statement that demonstrates not only your academic achievements but also your passion for your subject and your readiness for the rigours of Oxbridge’s academic environment. Crafting a standout personal statement for an Oxbridge application can be challenging.
Webinar: Navigating A Level Results Day and UCAS Clearing
In this webinar, Jenny McGowan (Keystone's Director of Asia) spoke about about preparing for A Level results day and what to expect. Using a structured presentation, Jenny went through what you can do before receiving your results, what to do on results day, and when you can expect to hear from UCAS/universities. Jenny also summarised what your options are if you don’t receive your required grades and provided information about how to navigate clearing.
A Guide to the Quest Assessment
What is the Quest Assessment?The Quest Assessment is an online entrance assessment used by an increasing number of schools in the UK as part of their admissions process, most commonly for students applying for Year 7 entry at 11+. The assessment is designed to measure academic potential, problem-solving skills and reasoning ability, rather than testing students’ ability to memorise the curriculum.
Guide to the London 11 Plus Consortium Entrance Exam
What is the London 11 Plus Consortium?The London 11 Plus Consortium, formerly known as the North London Girls’ Consortium, is a group of girls’ day schools. The consortium was originally founded to reduce the number of examinations girls would be required to sit as a part of the 11 plus entrance process.
A Complete Guide to Oxford University Interviews
Interviews are often considered to be the most intimidating and mysterious elements of the Oxford admissions process. This guide is designed to demystify the Oxford interview process so that you can approach your interview as confidently as possible.
A Level Results Day 2026: How to Prepare and What to Expect
With A level Results day almost upon us (Thursday 13th August), here is a helpful guide to ensure you are appropriately prepared.
GCSE Results Day 2026 - What You Need to Know
GCSE Results Day 2026 is almost upon us (Thursday 20th August) so we thought it might be helpful to share some top tips to help you to navigate the day.
A Guide to Cambridge University Admissions Tests for 2027 Entry
Gaining entry to Cambridge University is a process that requires you to be curious and committed from day one. It is a multi-facetted process and you must be across all elements of your application. You may even want to choose your A Levels with your Cambridge course in mind! Cambridge requires you to apply earlier than you would if applying elsewhere, finesse your subject knowledge and think outside of the box. This all before you sit your exams - and achieve top grades.
A Guide to Oxford University Admissions Tests for 2027 Entry
Competition for a place to study at undergraduate level at Oxford University is fierce. Every year, Oxford receives over 23,000 undergraduate applications for around 3,300 places, making it one of the most competitive universities in the world. This of course should not put off the prospective Oxford student, who will be well used to competition and accustomed to embracing a challenge.
A Guide to the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a medical and dental course admissions test used, and created by, multiple universities across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It is used to assess candidates in conjunction with your UCAS application and is an important part of your application. Make sure to check the entry criteria for your desired course to see if the test is a requirement. The importance of your UCAT score varies across universities.
Webinar: 16+ Preparation
In this webinar, Keystone's Managing Director, Ed Richardson, covered all of the key steps, from registration timelines to assessment and interview formats. Ed advised on how and when to start preparing for 16+ assessments and interviews, along with other application requirements including 16+ personal statements.
