Our latest education related articles

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. 

The main senior-school entry points are Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+). Dulwich also has a Junior School entry point at Year 3 and a small number of occasional places in Years 4 and 5 and, for boarders, Year 10.

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. Of the schools included, 33 are independent (three more than last year), 20 are grammars or partially selective (four fewer), 23 are sixth-form or further-education colleges (two more) and three are comprehensives or academies (one fewer).  

Schools are ranked by the number of offers received, followed by their offer-to-application ratio. We have included the offer rate and last year’s ranking in our table below. It is worth stressing that this is an offer-volume ranking, not a measure of admissions success. A school can rank highly because it submits a large number of applications, while a smaller school can have a considerably higher offer rate but appear much lower down the table. 

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. Comprehension questions at this level can include direct questions about word meanings and locating the meaning of a word in a given context. Schools will also want to assess a child’s ability to make inferences; where one has to use clues in the text to give an answer that has not been directly listed in the text. Sound vocabulary knowledge can help with answering these kinds of questions.

Past papers are a great resource for anyone preparing to take an exam, no matter how young. Past papers can be especially helpful in exposing your child to: 

• The types of questions they might meet
• The curriculum they will need to be on top of in advance of the test
• The timings and exam skills required of them, which is particular important as this is often the first exam they will have sat

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.

What was the MAT?

The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) was a university admissions test designed to assess mathematical ability and problem-solving skills.

Oxford used the MAT for applicants to Mathematics, Computer Science and other related courses. The test was introduced in 2007 and was used until 2025.

Applicants for Mathematics, Computer Science and relevant joint honours courses now take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) instead.

The change means that students applying to Oxford for Mathematics or Computer Science should no longer prepare for the MAT as their admissions test.

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. A formidable full-boarding school at the forefront of educating young women, it appeals to the brightest, liveliest go-getters with a passion and drive for brilliance. Wycombe Abbey educates 660 girls and has three entrance points, in Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12.

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.

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.

One of the ways in which you can demonstrate that you are passionate about your subject is to explain how you have explored it beyond the curriculum you have been taught at school. This type of learning is often referred to as super-curricular learning.

‘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. Importantly, the final decision must be the student’s, and one that they are ultimately happy with.

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. Admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge are looking for evidence of engagement with your chosen subject and an ability to reflect on your academic pursuit of your chosen subject.  

This guide is designed to help you articulate your passion for your subject, align your experiences with the expectations of Oxbridge and present a compelling case for why you deserve a place at their institution. 

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.

Unlike traditional entrance exams, where all candidates sit the same paper, the Quest Assessment uses adaptive technology. As pupils answer questions, the level of difficulty is adjusted in response to their performance. Candidates answering correctly are given more challenging questions, while those answering incorrectly receive easier ones. This allows schools to establish a more accurate picture of each pupil's ability.

The assessment is completed entirely on a computer under timed conditions and consists primarily of multiple-choice questions. As every pupil receives a different set of questions, schools are able to determine ability without simply counting the number of correct answers.

Quest has become an increasingly popular admissions tool as it provides schools with a reliable measure of academic potential while reducing the influence of coached responses or memorised answers. 

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. To that end, the London 11 Plus Consortium developed an application process whereby only one test would have to be taken, no matter how many schools within the Consortium the student has applied to. 

At present the London 11 Plus Consortium is made up of the following schools:

• Channing School
• Francis Holland School (Regent’s Park)
• Francis Holland School (Sloane Square)
• Godolphin & Latymer
• More House School
• Northwood College for Girls
• Notting Hill & Ealing High School
• Queen’s College School
• Queen’s Gate School
• South Hampstead High School
• St Augustine’s Priory
• St Helen’s School London
• St James Senior Girl’s School
• St Margaret’s School