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.
Professionalising Private Tutoring
Where many tutoring agencies operate with a loose network of freelancers, Keystone has taken a different approach; employing over 60 full-time, salaried tutors, alongside a carefully chosen group of freelancers.
Rigorous Recruitment
Keystone’s selection process is famously demanding, tutors often remark it’s the hardest agency to join. Alongside essential background checks (Enhanced DBS including the Children’s Barred List), qualification verification, and reference collection, the process includes:
- A detailed application assessing teaching experience, academic record, and the ability to commit for at least two years.
- A rigorous interview and practice teaching session to assess preparation, delivery, and engagement.
- A formal academic assessment to test subject expertise.
“Moein is our third tutor from Keystone, and we have been invariably impressed by the quality not only of the teaching but also the people themselves. It is reassuring to know that Keystone upholds such high standards.” Parent
Tutor Training and Development
Keystone’s commitment to excellence doesn’t stop at recruitment. All professional tutors benefit from continuous training designed by Ed Richardson, Keystone’s Managing Director and an experienced educator.
The training covers:
- Curriculum developments and changes to school/university entrance exams
- Best practice in teaching pedagogy
- Student mental health and safeguarding
- Subject-specific content updates
- SEN strategies and inclusive teaching methods
This professional development ensures Keystone’s tutors stay ahead of changes in education, resulting in better outcomes for students and a large team of highly skilled tutors.
In addition to internal training, Keystone also offers free monthly webinars for parents, covering a range of educational topics from navigating school admissions to supporting learning over the summer holidays and GCSE & A Level revision strategies. Sign up to receive notifications of our upcoming webinars.
“The bi-annual Keystone Academies offer the perfect chance to learn more about the latest educational methods. From the wealth of knowledge provided by external speakers and tutor-led workshops, to the chance to chat over a coffee, the Academy is the perfect chance to finesse existing skills, and develop new ones." Alice Jaspars, Keystone Tutor
Consistency for Families
By employing tutors as professionals, Keystone delivers reliability in scheduling, transparent communication, and consistently high standards.
“Robbie was brilliant for my son - they really got on and he was a great teacher. My son was offered a place at his top choice school. In this world of competitive school entrance exams and the proliferation of providers of extra support, as a working parent with not that much time, I have been simply delighted and relieved to have found a quality outfit such as Keystone.” Parent
Expertise Across All Academic Levels
Keystone supports students at every stage of their education, from early years to university entry. Areas of specialism include:
- Independent school entry - Eton, Harrow, Westminster, St Paul’s, and more
- ISEB Pre-Tests, 11+, 13+ Common Entrance, and bespoke independent and grammar school entrance exams
- GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, IB, and Oxbridge university admissions tests
- SEN-adapted tuition and full-time homeschooling programmes
Each student is matched with a tutor not only for subject expertise, but also for personality fit, helping build rapport as well as results.
“Alice stepped in just a few weeks before 11+ ISEB began and she hit the ground running. She breezed into the house bringing tranquillity and professional calm. I have never met a Keystone tutor who is not on top of her brief but what was most welcome was that the kids absolutely loved being with her as well. “But, lessons are fun with Alice”, said my daughter when the 11+ exams ended. Quirky, intelligent, flexible, fun and worked a treat for my kids." Parent
Tailored Educational Consultancy
Keystone is not just a tutoring agency, it is also a trusted education consultancy provider. Its advisory team includes former teachers, leaders in schools, and university admissions professionals who help parents with:
- Selecting the right school and university for both academic and pastoral fit
- Navigating the competitive London and boarding school admissions process
- Structuring a families long-term education plans
This dual role means families receive joined-up support: expert tuition paired with big-picture academic planning.
Proven Track Record and Reputation
Keystone’s excellence is recognised by top education publications including The Good Schools Guide, Tatler and The Telegraph.
“An innovator and authority in the industry. And a disruptor too – having re-invented the usual model of how tutors are employed to ultimately give the client a better experience. Expect highly polished, wow-factor quality, impressive transparency, an emphasis on pedagogy and a genuine commitment to ethics and professionalising the industry.” The Good Schools Guide
With glowing Google and Trustpilot reviews, plus a high rate of returning clients, Keystone’s track record speaks for itself.
Global Reach, British Education Standards
From its headquarters in Hammersmith, London, Keystone operates internationally, with offices also in Hong Kong and Singapore and online tuition delivered to students in over 60 countries. Wherever in the world its students are, Keystone applies the same British-standard academic rigour and deep understanding of the UK’s most competitive school and university admissions processes.
What sets Keystone Tutors apart is not just the calibre of its tutors, but the professional framework in which they work. Keystone has carved its place at the top through quality, transparency, and measurable results.