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.
A Guide to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Admissions
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is a selective, state grammar school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Founded as a technical school in 1956, and becoming a grammar school in 1982, the school admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, though the Sixth Form is co-educational. Parents considering grammar school education across the county should also see our guide to Kent grammar school admissions.In terms of academics, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has a strong reputation.
A Guide to Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School Admissions
Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School is a selective, state grammar school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Founded in 1905 and having since gained academy status, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School admits girls from Year 7 to Year 11. Academically, the school has maintained a strong record over the years.
Best Grammar Schools in London
London is home to some of the most academically successful state grammar schools in the UK. For parents searching for the best grammar school in London, this guide explains the leading selective schools, how admissions work, and what you need to know to give your child the best chance of success.
Best Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire
Choosing the right school for your child is a pivotal decision, and for parents in Buckinghamshire, the selection of grammar schools offers a pathway to exceptional education. With some of the highest-performing selective schools in the country, Buckinghamshire offers excellent options for families looking for a rigorous academic environment, enriching extracurriculars, and strong university progression.
A Guide to Tonbridge Grammar School Admissions
Tonbridge Grammar School is a selective, state secondary school, based in Tonbridge in Kent. Having been granted academy status in 2011, Tonbridge Grammar was founded in 1905, and admits girls from Year 7 to Year 11, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Tonbridge Grammar sits within the highly competitive group of Kent grammar schools.Having recently ranked as the top grammar school in Kent (based on exam results), Tonbridge Grammar’s reputation for academia is well-established.
A Guide to Sutton Grammar School Admissions
Sutton Grammar School is a selective, state secondary school, based in Sutton in South London. Granted academy status in 2011, Sutton admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, with a co-educational Sixth Form.Sutton Grammar’s academic standards have been consistently high for many years.
A Guide to Tiffin Girls’ School Admissions
Tiffin Girls’ School is a top, selective state school, based in Kingston upon Thames in Southwest London, accepting girls from Year 7 to Year 12. Tiffin Girls sits within the highly competitive group of South West London grammar schools.Tiffin Girls’ is known for its high academic standards. Most recently, 94% of A levels ranged from an A* to a B, and 81% of students who applied to university were awarded places at a Russell Group university, with 15 students gaining places at Oxbridge.
Webinar: A Level vs IB and GCSE vs IGCSE
In this webinar, Harriet Brook (Head of Consultancy) was joined by Ed Richardson (Managing Director) and Jenny McGowan (Director of Asia) to discuss the similarities and differences between A Levels and the IB as well as IGCSEs and GCSEs and which qualifications might suit students best. They will covered how to choose subjects to study at the different levels and the consequences of these choices for university entrance.
A Guide to The Skinners’ School Admissions
The Skinners’ School is a selective, state secondary school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Granted academy status in 2010, Skinners’ admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, with a co-educational Sixth Form.Consistently ranking within the top 5 grammar schools in Kent, Skinners’ has a strong reputation for academic achievement.
A Guide to Wallington High School for Girls Admissions
Wallington High School for Girls is one of the most successful state schools in the UK, both in terms of its academic results and the ethos - which visitors and parents alike are keen to comment on. The school is variously described as warm, purposeful and ‘listening’. All of which contribute to its popularity and selective rigour.
A Guide to Queen Elizabeth’s School Admissions
Queen Elizabeth’s School is one of the top state secondary schools in the United Kingdom. Based in Barnet in North London, Queen Elizabeth’s is a selective day school with academy status, and it accepts boys from Year 7 to Year 12. Read more about London Grammar Schools admissions.Queen Elizabeth’s is well known for high academic achievement, with students historically performing exceptionally well at GCSEs and A Levels.
A Guide to Cranbrook School Admissions
Cranbrook School is highly unusual within the UK education system. It is a state-funded, co-educational grammar school that also offers boarding. Many families are surprised to learn that state boarding schools exist at all; in fact, Cranbrook is one of only seven such schools in the country. Cranbrook is part of the wider Kent grammar school admissions system.In practice, this means that families pay fees only for boarding.
A Guide to Pate’s Grammar School Admissions
Pate’s Grammar School has consistently been one of the top performing schools in Gloucestershire. Based in Cheltenham, Pate’s is a selective grammar school with academy status that accepts boys and girls from Year 7 to 13, after Pate’s Grammar School for Girls and Cheltenham Grammar School merged in 1986 — over 400 years after Cheltenham Grammar was founded.One of seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire, Pate’s places a strong emphasis on academia.
A Guide to Wallington County Grammar School Admissions
Wallington County Grammar School in the London Borough of Sutton consistently ranks as one of the top performing state schools in the UK. In 2025 the school ranked 26th countrywide. Wallington has a history stretching back to 1927 when it was founded as an all-boys school. This tradition maintains today although girls are also admitted to a co-educational Sixth Form.
A Guide to The Latymer School Admissions
The Latymer School in Edmonton, north-east London, is unusual among high-performing grammar schools in that it has been co-educational from the start of students’ time at the school. It is also notable that, unlike other grammars which routinely rival the top private schools in the country—such as Henrietta Barnett and Wilson’s School—it places geographical restrictions on applicants. Only students living within specific local postcodes are eligible for a place.
A Guide to Wilson's School Admissions
Wilson’s School is one of several state-funded selective secondary schools that consistently rival the most academically minded independent schools in the UK. Located in the London Borough of Sutton, it forms part of a wider network of high-performing grammar schools in London, a region that far outperforms others in Britain for educational attainment.
A Guide to St Olave's Grammar School Admissions
St Olave’s Boys’ Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Orpington, London, founded by Elizabeth I in 1571. It is one of London’s highest-performing state schools—ranked the fourth best state provider nationally in 2024, and 20th overall when private schools are included.Unsurprisingly, the school is heavily oversubscribed and extremely competitive. Each year, more than 1,400 students apply for around 130 Year 7 places, and the academic selection process is notably rigorous.
Webinar: Top Tips for School Entrance Interviews
In this webinar, Keystone’s Managing Director, Ed Richardson, was joined by Head of Consultancy, Harriet Brook, to discuss school entrance interviews. They share their insights on tackling school entrance interviews for independent schools and cover the following topics: What interviewers are looking forHow to present yourself effectivelyWhat makes a good answerExample question typesThis webinar is appropriate for all students with upcoming school entrance interviews from 7+ to 16+.
Keystone's Founder Featured in The Standard Online Article
Will Orr-ewing, Keystone's Founder, was mentioned in The Standard article for his part seeking to legally challenge government guidance on phones in schools.
A Guide to Henrietta Barnett Admissions
The Henrietta Barnett School, a state-funded girls’ grammar school in north London, has earned a place among the most academically successful schools in the UK — including many of the country’s most exclusive and expensive private institutions. It is therefore no surprise that Henrietta Barnett was named State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025 in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, alongside several other accolades.
The Best Grammar School in the UK 2025
Readers browsing the Sunday Times Parent Power guide to the Best Schools in the UK 2025 may notice a few unfamiliar names among the usual high achievers.The 2025 Parent Power tables rank schools by their performance in the 2024 A Level, GCSE, and IB examinations.
Sixth-form School Entry and the 16 Plus Exam
Enrolling your child in a new school for the final two years of their secondary education can be a big change, at a critical time in their pathway toward university. It can also be an enormous opportunity as well, if your child gains a place at a school that is a better fit for their needs and goals.
A Guide to Reading School Admissions
About Reading SchoolReading School is a 900-year-old, selective, boys’ grammar school in Berkshire. Providing both day and boarding options, the school accepts boys from Years 7 to 11. Consistently ranking among the top schools in Berkshire for GCSE and A level results, Reading School is renowned for its academic excellence.
A Guide to Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School Admissions
About Dr. Challoner’s Grammar SchoolDr. Challoner’s Grammar School has consistently been one of the highest performing grammar schools in Buckinghamshire for the last few years. Based in Amersham, it is a selective grammar school (granted academy status in 2011) that accepts boys from Years 7 to 13. Academically, DCGS recently achieved the highest results for both GCSEs and A Levels of every school in Buckinghamshire, and its Ofsted rating was ‘outstanding’.
Webinar: A Guide to University Interviews
Keystone's Managing Director, Ed Richardson, and Director of Asia, Jenny McGown, were joined by Professional Tutor and former Queen’s College research fellow, Florence Curtis. They discussed university interview skills for applicants to Cambridge, Oxford, and courses that typically require interviews, such as medicine and veterinary science.
Boarding School Interviews
In this webinar Jenny (Director, Asia) and Rory (Professional Tutor) talked though boarding school interviews and discussed the common question types and how to prepare international students for these interviews.
The Cost of Hiring a Private Tutor
High-quality private tutoring is one of the most effective and impactful investments you can make in your child’s future. It’s not just about getting through the syllabus; the right tutor can boost confidence, shape ambition, and open doors to life-changing opportunities.
What Makes Keystone Tutors the Leading Tutoring Agency in London
In the crowded world of private education, few names carry the weight and reputation of Keystone Tutors. Founded in 2007 by Oxford graduate Will Orr-Ewing, the agency has elevated tutoring into a trusted profession, giving parents the peace of mind that their child is taught by qualified educators. Today, Keystone is recognised as one of London’s most trusted tuition agencies, serving thousands of families across the UK and around the world.
A Guide to Tiffin Boys’ School Admissions
Tiffin School is increasingly becoming one of the most desirable schools in the United Kingdom. Based in Kingston-upon-Thames in South-West London, it is a state-funded, selective grammar school that accepts boys from Year 7 to 11, and its Sixth Form is co-educational. Tiffin Boys' is one of several highly competitive selective grammar schools in London.
