UK's leading 11+ tutors in London & online
13 Plus Common Entrance
Creative Writing Tutors
Keystone Tutors has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to some of the leading UK independent schools. With offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore, we work with some of the UK's most experienced 13+ Creative Writing tutors.
Here is a sample of the 13+ Creative Writing tutors we represent
Why parents choose Keystone for
13 plus Common Entrance tutoring
Preparing for 13+ entry means meeting each school's own admissions criteria, whether that's Pre-tests, examination days or Common Entrance. We connect families with highly experienced tutors who know what individual schools expect and build every programme around your child's subject strengths, areas for improvement and chosen schools. We have tutors available to cover the full 13+ and Common Entrance curriculum, including English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Latin, French, Spanish, Religious Studies and Creative Writing.
Alongside the curriculum content, we prepare children for every stage of entry, from past papers and computerised Pre-tests to mock interviews and 13+ Scholarship exams.
Exceptional tutors
A carefully selected team of experienced teachers, senior school admissions specialists and employed tutors who have a thorough knowledge of the 13+ Common Entrance exam.
School specific expertise
Our tutors combine a deep understanding of Common Entrance exam and Pre-tests at leading independent schools. We look beyond the syllabus to understand what each school is looking for, then create a tailored programme designed around your child's individual strengths, areas for development and target schools.
Our track record
We have a wealth of experience in assisting students with preparation for competitive London day schools and top UK boarding schools at 13+ including St Paul’s Boys’ School, Westminster School, Eton College, Harrow School, Winchester College, Radley College, Rugby School, Marlborough College and many others.
A highly personalised approach
Our Client Managers provide a high level of personal support throughout the tutoring. Parents receive regular feedback on progress, areas for further development and the focus of upcoming lessons, giving you a clear understanding of how preparation is progressing.
Mock Interview Practice
Our mock interviews for 13+ candidates allow students to undertake an interview in unfamiliar surroundings with someone they have not met before. In this sense it more closely replicates the actual interview experience than having a session with a teacher or parent that they know well.
Feedback for
Keystone Tutors
Request a tutor
Want to know more about our tutors? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
Explore more of
our
13+ Services
Keystone offers a number of supplementary services to complement our 13+ tutoring:
Our custom-made Academic Assessments give families a clear, objective understanding of a child’s academic level in relation to their peers and target schools, identifying strengths, areas for development and helping to guide future tuition strategies.
For families seeking a fully managed approach, our Consultant-Led Tutoring service provides expert oversight from a dedicated education consultant. The consultant designs, coordinates and monitors the entire tutoring programme, setting clear goals, reviewing progress and ensuring every element of support is aligned to maximise your child’s success in the 13+ assessments and Pre-tests. This service also includes mock interview practice, ongoing monitoring and regular diagnostic assessments to track progress.
Finding the right tutor
for each child
Step 1: Detailed Consultation
Before we can help a student, we often need to spend a significant amount of time learning about the student's requirements. Most consultations are carried out over the phone or on a video call.
Step 2: Academic Assessment (optional)
Students sit our custom-made academic assessments to indicate their level in relation to their peers, and in order to identify suggested areas to work on. Parents also seek academic assessments for their children to determine their general strengths and weaknesses, and decide upon a set of objectives for the course of tuition.
Step 3: Tutor Selection Process
The selection of the tutor is an integral part of our process. Priding ourselves on how well we know the varying strengths of each tutor, we ensure that each decision is informed by the expectation of a successful match between the tutor and student.
Step 4: Regular Progress Monitoring
After the first lesson, one of our dedicated client managers will contact you to find out how the lesson went. Our client managers are always available at the end of the phone and they are frequently praised for their efficiency, dedication and responsiveness.
Step 5: Monthly Reporting & Feedback
Tutors submit a monthly report detailing the work done in the month; the successes and areas to work on; and the work for the coming month. Our regular, rigorous reporting is frequently praised by parents.
Request a tutor
Want to know more about our tutors? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
FAQs
We cover all subjects for 13+ Common Entrance, including:
We have a monthly reporting system which is used to update parents on an ongoing basis. The monthly report details:
- the focus of that month’s tutoring
- the form of assessment used
- the student's achievements and areas for further work
- the focus for the coming month
The regular, rigorous reporting of the tutors we represent is frequently commended by parents.
The 13+ tutors we represent are able to deliver in-person tuition within central London. For those outside of central London we offer online tutoring.
Yes. The tutors we represent are well-versed in delivering online tuition, using videoconferencing and an interactive whiteboard. This gives students, wherever they are in the world, access to experienced, high-quality tutors who are familiar with the requirements of the 13-plus common entrance exams.
Yes, we offer a trial lesson. With Keystone, you are not required to sign up for any minimum number of lessons, and we offer one-off paid trial lessons so that your child can determine if the fit is right for them. This allows students and parents tutoring through Keystone before committing to regular sessions. The trial lesson is charged at the tutor’s full hourly rate and there is no obligation to continue if you feel it's not the right match.
We have a wealth of experience in assisting students with preparation for competitive London day schools and top UK boarding schools at 13+, including St Paul’s Boys’ School, Westminster School, Eton College, Harrow School, Winchester College, Radley College, Rugby School, Marlborough College and many others.
Articles on 13 plus
exam tuition
13+ Common Entrance Interviews: What to Expect and How to Prepare
The 13+ interview is a crucial component of the admissions process for many independent schools in the UK. It provides schools with an opportunity to assess a candidate's personality, interests, and suitability for their academic environment.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 13+ interview; from interview types and sample questions to expert tips from our 13+ tutor Ben.
Written by Keystone Tutors
A Guide to the 13 Plus Common Entrance Exams
The 13 Plus Common Entrance (or CE) Exam is crucial in securing a place for your child at your chosen independent school. A good set of exam results will confirm school places – most CE candidates will have been offered a space at their choice of senior school already (by pre-test in year 7 or even year 6) – but subject to them achieving a pass in the 13 Plus exams - and be the final piece in the sometimes complex and nerve-wracking process! For an overview of how the 13 Plus fits within different entry points, see our Guide to UK School Entrance Exams.
In the article, Keystone's 13 Plus tutors have gathered together a range of helpful information and strategies for passing the 13 Plus Common Entrance Exam, based on their experience of successfully guiding hundreds of students through this demanding exam. For subject-specific advice, our 13 Plus English Preparation Guide and 13 Plus Maths Preparation Guide break down the key skills examiners look for.
Written by Keystone Tutors
13 Plus Vocabulary List
Students taking the 13 Plus will be expected to use language effectively in all areas of the English exam, as well as in interviews. For a complete overview of the assessment, see our Guide to the 13 Plus Common Entrance Exams, which outlines formats, key subjects, and preparation strategies.
The exam will likely test candidates understanding of an unseen passage from a novel, play, poem or from another genre. At this level, students are assessed on their understanding of the text, as well as their analysis and evaluation of it. They may need to provide character analysis and give and justify their opinion; a broad vocabulary will help students’ to express their ideas clearly in their written responses. Our 13 Plus English Preparation Guide covers the comprehension, analysis, and essay-writing skills examiners look for.
Written by Keystone Tutors
13+ Common Entrance Reading List
13+ Common Entrance Reading List: Our Recommendations for children in Years 7, 8 and 9
For many young people, the 13+ exam is one of the most significant they will take in their school career, as it is not just about entrance. The outcome sets them on a particular course for their GCSEs and, likely, their A-Levels or IB studies. Common entrance exams are designed to gauge a student’s potential for GCSEs and beyond; they therefore often require high-level skills in reading, interpretation, and analysis. In order to make sure your child is prepared for whatever is thrown at them, reading widely, consistently, and with variety is crucial.
By the time a child is eleven or so, parents have often got out of the habit of keeping track of reading and sharing books. As a tutor, I find that this is the age group for which reading frequency and interest can drop off the most, and this seems to be especially the case with boys. At this stage, young people are developing more independent interests outside of home and school. They are usually having to juggle these interests with an increased homework load, and many of them are also spending more and more time online, all of which can make it harder for them to find the time and motivation for reading.
It might not be desirable or practical to read with your young person on a daily basis any more. What I would recommend is having an active, regular dialogue about reading. You could talk about the news, an article you have read, a novel you are into, a cartoon you saw, a blog you are aware of, a radio show that was informative…If reading (and listening to literature/high-quality shows) is part of family life, it will likely remain part of your child’s life and make it easier for you to search for books together for more focused and formal reading practice. You can also discuss interesting and difficult vocabulary together, and play word games and puzzles…
Some reading, even if it is just for five minutes per day, will vastly improve your child’s outcomes at Common Entrance.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Guide to 13 Plus Common Entrance English
The 13+ Common Entrance English exam is a key milestone for students applying to top independent schools. It assesses reading comprehension, creative writing and analytical skills. In this guide, Keystone's experienced 13+ Common Entrance tutor, Ben, breaks down the exam’s key components and shares his preparation strategies and top tips to help students feel confident approaching the exam.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Keystone supports students at every stage of their education, from early years to university entry. Areas of specialism include:
