16+ tuition for leading UK independent schools
Tutors for 16 Plus Exams
For over a decade, Keystone Tutors has helped families prepare their children for sixth form entry at some of the UK's leading independent and boarding schools. With offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore, we work with some of the UK's most experienced 16+ tutors.
Our tutors know the 16+ exam inside out. They are familiar with the intricacies of sixth form entry assessments, and how requirements differ from one school to the next. Our employed tutors also take part in a rigorous, ongoing training programme covering every aspect of 16+ entry, and they teach with materials and past papers that we've developed in-house.
Here is a sample of the 16+ tutors we represent
Our tutors are dedicated to their profession and consistently receive excellent feedback from their students. Every tutor goes through a rigorous selection process, and we choose people who are intelligent, personable and committed to the role.
Each student is matched with a tutor not only for subject expertise, but also for personality fit, helping build rapport as well as results.
Why parents choose Keystone for
16+ tutoring
16+ exams aren't standardised, and your child needs to perform well in the specific subjects they plan to study in the sixth form. Our range of tutors ensure that your child has a specialist suited to their desired subject areas, and who is also familiar with the particular format of the 16 plus at the schools they intend to apply to. This bespoke support will help your child maximise their performance during these challenging and competitive exams.
All tuition is tailored to your child's strengths, weaknesses and learning style, as well as the entrance procedures of their chosen schools.
Exceptional tutors
A carefully selected team of experienced teachers, senior school admissions specialists and employed tutors who have a thorough knowledge of the 16+ exam.
School specific expertise
Our tutors combine a deep understanding of the GCSE & IGCSE curriculum with extensive experience of 16+ assessments and interviews 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 16 plus including St. Paul’s Boys School, St Paul’s Girls School, Westminster, King’s Wimbledon College School, Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey and many others..
Specialist mock interviews
Specialist mock interview practice to help boost confidence and improve communication skills.
Personal statement support
Subject-specific guidance on how to write a strong personal statement.
Feedback for
Keystone Tutors
Explore more of
our
16+ Services
Keystone offers a number of supplementary services to complement our 16+ 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 16+ assessments. This service also includes mock interview practice, ongoing monitoring and regular diagnostic assessments to track progress.
Request a tutor
Want to know more about our tutors? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
About Keystone Tutors
Established in 2007, Keystone have helped over 10,000 students fulfil their educational potential. Uniquely, Keystone exclusively employs 60 full-time UK based tutors and also represents a highly select pool of freelance tutors. With offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore and recommended by head teachers of top independent schools, we have an exceptional reputation for helping students achieve their best; delivering outstanding results, building confidence and instilling life-long intellectual curiosity.
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
Almost every UK independent school sets their own 16+ entrance examinations, and in addition schools will request previous school reports, a personal statement, a school reference, and predicted GCSE grades. Students are usually offered a conditional place, subject to achieving the school’s minimum GCSE requirements.
Schools will prioritize academic performance in the entrance tests when making a decision, but they will also look at the student’s overall profile and their potential contribution to wider school life.
Preparation for the 16 plus exams should begin when the student is in February/March of Year 10 around 18 months before the start of the Year 12 academic year. At this stage, the student should know which A level / IB subjects they wish to choose and an idea of what level of school they would like to target.
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 tutors we represent are able to deliver in-person 16+ tuition within central London. For those outside of central London we offer online tutoring.
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 16 plus exams.
Keystone has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to leading UK independent schools for their sixth form studies.
Our team of 60 full-time tutors are highly experienced in guiding students through their preparation for the 16 plus exam. They ensure there are no gaps in a student’s understanding of key topics relevant to the subjects they wish to study, and utilize past papers and detailed feedback extensively. Our tutors are able to tailor their tuition to your child’s specific needs so that they can truly show their potential in the 16 plus.
We have a wealth of experience in assisting students with preparation for competitive London day schools and top UK boarding schools at 16 plus including St. Paul’s Boys School, St Paul’s Girls School, Westminster, King’s Wimbledon College School, Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey and many others.
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.
Articles on 16+
exam tuition
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. In this article, Keystone Tutors highlight the essential information you will need to navigate the application process for Sixth Form entry, and to find the perfect school for the culmination of your child’s secondary education.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Occasional Places (Senior Schools)
UK independent schools tend to have defined entry points and clear processes from registration to assessment and interview.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Should my child take A Levels or the IB?
When it comes to deciding on the best educational path for students post GCSE, the choice between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a topic of debate for many families. Both qualifications offer unique approaches to learning and present opportunities for children to excel academically at school and beyond.
In this article, Ed Richardson, Keystone's Managing Director explores some of the key differences between A Levels and the IB Diploma, looking at their structures, grading systems, and overall impact on university admissions. Whether you are a student considering your options or a parent seeking guidance, this article aims to provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision on the right educational qualification for you. .
What is the IB Diploma?
The IB (formerly known as The International Baccalaureate Organization or IBO) was founded in 1968 and offers international recognised qualifications for students from 3 to 18.
The Diploma Programme, aimed at students between the ages of 16-18, was devised to "provide an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification suitable for the growing mobile population of young people whose parents were part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations."
Whilst A Levels are typically sat by most sixth formers at UK schools, some schools (such as Sevenoaks and King’s College Wimbledon) offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) either alongside or instead of A Levels.
Despite being first taught in a UK school in 1971, the IBDP is currently available in 91 schools [link here https://www.ibyb.org/ib-world-schools-in-the-uk] – though the number grows each year. Nevertheless, it offers students and their parents a choice when it comes to their sixth form study options..
How is the IB structured?
IB students are required to select six subject courses to study. Students select their six subject courses from the following groups:
- Studies in Language and Literature
- Language Acquisition
- Individuals and Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Arts
Whilst students must study at least one subject from groups 1 to 5 they can opt to study an additional Sciences, Individuals and Societies, or Language Acquisition course instead of a course in the Arts.
Three subjects will be studied at Standard Level (SL) and three at Higher Level (HL). SL courses require up to 150 hours of teaching whereas HL courses comprise of 250 teaching hours. Consequently, HL study requires students to demonstrate a greater level of subject understanding and skill.
In addition to the six subjects IB students must complete and pass the DP Core which is composed of 3 parts:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- Extended Essay (EE): in which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
- Creativity, activity and Service (CAS): in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
How is the IB graded?
Students studying the DP receive grades between 7 and 1 for their six subject courses, with 7 being the highest score. Furthermore, theory of knowledge (TOK) and extended essay (EE) components are awarded individual grades and, collectively, can contribute a further 3 additional points towards the overall diploma score. Thus, the IB is out of 45 overall and students have to score 24 or more to pass.
How are the IB subjects assessed?
Each subject will have a combination of externally marked examinations and internally marked assessments, often called IAs. The percentage weighting of each of these components depends on the subject. The nature of internal assessments means that students are often working on assignments throughout the two years.
What are A Levels?
A Level stands for ‘Advanced Level’ and they were introduced in 1951. A Levels are the nationally standardised qualification most UK educated students complete in Years 12 and 13, i.e., the final two years of school. There are International A Levels offered by exam boards for students studying outside of the UK.
How are A Levels structured?
Typically, students select 3 or 4 A Levels to focus on during their sixth form (i.e. Years 12 and 13). There are over 80+ subjects to study at A Level and no one subject is compulsory. Each A Level course is discrete and the breadth of subjects on offer will vary from school to school. Typically, students will be able to choose from:
- Those subjects they have studied before (e.g. Biology)
- Variations of subjects they have studied before (e.g. Further Maths)
- Completely new subjects (e.g. Psychology)
Students will often select A Level subjects which relate to or prepare them for what they wish to study at university. For example, students wishing to study Medicine at university will often choose Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths or a combination of.
How are A Levels graded?
A Levels are graded A* to E, although it is possible to receive a U, which stands for ungraded or unclassified. Although grade boundaries are liable to move year on year the correlation between % mark and overall is approximately as follows:
- A* 90%+
- A 80% -89%
- B 70% - 79%
- C 60% - 69%
- D 50% - 59%
- E 40% - 49%
How are A Levels assessed?
Most A Levels are assessed by externally set examinations at the end of the two year course. Some subjects will also have coursework components and the percentage weighting will vary by subject. This tends to be higher for practical subjects such as Art or Design and Technology whereas for subjects like Maths the final exams will account for 100% of the grade.
What are the differences between the IB and A Levels?
- The IB Diploma offers students a broader education than A Levels requiring them to study 6 subjects from across the subject range (Language and literature, Language acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts).
- A Levels offer students the opportunity to choose the 3 or 4 subjects they wish to study without restriction.
- The IB’s more holistic approach also requires students to complete the DP core (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity and Service) alongside their chosen subjects.
- Studying A Levels does not require this of students, although they may wish to complete an Extended Project Qualification, which is much like the Extended Essay.
Do universities prefer A-Levels or IB?
UK universities recognise both A Levels and IB qualifications equally. Whilst the A Level may be more common in UK schools, UK universities appreciate the depth of study, development of independent research skills and academic rigor of the IB Diploma. Looking further afield, European and American universities also recognise both qualifications.
Many parents are often stuck between choosing A-Levels or IB for their child. Here is a nifty table that clarifies the key differences.
If you want to find out more about A Levels and IB, watch our webinar below.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Keystone supports students at every stage of their education, from early years to university entry. Areas of specialism include:
