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Homeschooling

Homeschooling and Full-Time Private Tuition

Beginning with an initial assessment, we use performance metrics to analyse a student’s ability, and create an actionable learning strategy for each student. Making sure progress is clear to all stakeholders is our absolute priority.

 

What is Full-Time Private Tuition?

 

With Think Tutors, a full-time private residential tuition is truly bespoke. We offer first-class tuition from early childhood to university admissions. We can arrange for a designated live-in tutor of your choice, a team of tutors to teach in person, or a combination of online and in-person instruction. This adaptability ensures that the students’ education is truly remarkable and that their full potential is realised.

 

Our travelling full-time tuition service exemplifies the meaning of adaptable learning; from tuition on a yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean, to understanding new cultures and maximising learning through the use of surroundings. Tuition can be provided online or in-person, with tutors able to ensure that learning remains consistent and exciting regardless of the circumstances.

 

The Benefits of Full-Time Private Tuition

 

The benefits of homeschooling for some children are extraordinary. Young elite athletes, performing artists, academically gifted students, and SEND students may appreciate the flexibility of schooling. Able to work when they are most productive; reaping the unrivalled benefits of one-to-one teaching, from either the comfort of their own home or while travelling.

 

Students who may have been bullied, illness, or travelling families may also come to thrive from this kind of education. Freedom within their learning environment allows for questions to be asked at any time, encouraging creativity and cementing understanding.

 

Our tutors all extremely welfare driven, with at least five years of private tuition experience, they understand how to exactly draw the best from their pupils. For more information about how full-time tuition could benefit your child specifically, please contact us.

 

Global Tuition

 

Our team ensures that each family has a team of tutors that can meet both their educational and personal needs, from Kuwait to Kensington, Singapore to New York, and Hong Kong to Dubai. Every student, no matter where they live, has personalised access to education. From cradle to career, Think Tutors inspires excellence at any age, in any country. Despite the fact that each family is provided a unique programme tailored to their specific needs, all of our families receive the same high-quality educational service. An initial examination ensures that each pupil’s potential is realised and strategies to achieve it are implemented, leaving no stone unturned.

 

Contact Think Tutors

 

Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors‘ elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way for your child to have unrivalled education.

 

With a 100% school admission success rate, our teachers are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building. Please contact us if you are interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

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School Admissions

Independent School Admissions: The 11+ London Consortium

Which Schools Use the London Consortium?

 

Fourteen schools use the Consortium Test; however, more may start to use it in the years to come. Currently, the schools that use it are:

 

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

 

What is the London Consortium 11+ Test?

 

For schools within the Consortium, it is only necessary to take one test. The test focusses on mathematics and verbal reasoning, with a particular focus on the non-verbal element. This enables the Consortium to capture students’ creative and visual intelligence in relation to problem-solving and design. It is useful as it can match candidates to the school that fits their profile the best.

When and Where do You Take the Test?

 

The test takes 100 minutes to complete and is taken in Year 6 at the candidates current school. If the candidate does not have a school, the Consortium will ensure that provision is made so that every child has an equal opportunity, regardless of context or background. The schools will administer the cognitive reasoning test on the same day, with each school following the same process.

 

What is the ‘Three Assessment’ Approach?

 

There are three elements of the process that assesses each applicant’s academic ability and potential, making the 11+ Consortium stand out from other entry routes.

 

The first is the fact it is an age standardised measure of ability. Secondly, that it involves a common reference form that schools can use to assess wider contextual information, such as more detail on academic performance, attitudes, and character. This will be obtained from the Head of the candidate’s current school. Thirdly and finally, this approach involves an interview, which further explores the skills, aptitude, and intellectual ability of each applicant.

 

The interview is an excellent opportunity for students to prepare and present their best selves to their preferred school. It covers family, favourite subjects, extracurricular activities, hobbies, achievements, and ambitions while covering character strengths and weaknesses.

 

Our tutors have a 100% success rate with school admissions, and are well equipped to prepare students for the entire process. We ensure that both confidence and ultimately performance are maximised through careful and bespoke planning.

 

What are the Deadlines to Consider?

 

Th deadline to apply for the test usually falls in November, with assessment taking place on various dates in early December. The candidate will then receive an offer by early February, by which time they will have until early March to accept or decline the offer made by the respective school.

 

Contact Think Tutors

 

Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process for private education. With a 100% school admission success rate, our tutors are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building.

 

We can either provide hourly or full-time tuition, in addition to homeschooling. We can organise tuition wherever and whenever, with the option of in-person or online tuition. Please contact us if you are interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

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Topical

How Private Tuition Can Help During the Christmas Break

We provide a diverse range of elite tutors and mentors that can ensure that all of our pupils feel motivated and inspired by education, from the early years to university. From math tuition to perfecting an essay technique, Think Tutors can help your family take a well-deserved break while taking care of education and learning. We can arrange for hourly or full-time private tuition to ensure that your child makes the most of the Christmas holiday.

 

GCSE Tuition

 

We understand that each child thrives with a bespoke education. It could be that a student finds that a difficult topic requires more attention, such as how to effectively analyse text in English Language or how to determine Algebra in Maths. Some may need revision sessions for an important exam or assistance with completing coursework to a high standard. The extra time available during the Christmas period allows for greater focus on these areas.

 

Understanding the pressures that a student may be challenged with, such as mock results before or after Christmas, can be eased with one-to-one tuition. We are passionate at eradicating such worries by instilling a foundation for learning that will both increase motivation, confidence and drive results. We can offer in-person or online tuition to provide a personalised service that works for the entire family.

 

A Level Tuition

 

Students completing their A-Levels are challenged by the pressures of self-study and individual learning. Although this is an important ability to master in preparation for university and life beyond school, it can be difficult to achieve without proper support and guidance.

 

We understand that examinations and coursework loom over students of all abilities. At Think Tutors, we can offer professional, elite tutors and mentors who provide specialist academic advice to alleviate stress and improve performance. With at least 5 years of tuition experience and unrivalled subject knowledge, our tutors are uniquely placed to ensure the Christmas period is as productive as possible.

 

University Tuition

 

Our tutors were educated at Oxbridge and leading Russell Group universities, thus we are acutely aware of how to guide pupils to academic excellence. With tutors covering every subject at every level, we ensure that your child has the best chance of success in coursework, dissertations, and exams.

 

With little one-on-one support available at university, students may be unsure where to turn in times of confusion and uncertainty. Our tutors ensure that students at this level can think critically and independently, instilling in all students a strong mentality and drive. Tutors and mentors are experts in their subjects, many of them researchers at the top of their fields. This enthusiasm is passed on to the students, who develop an unbreakable work ethic and desire to succeed. Students will enter the new year with a renewed sense of clarity and understanding of their course, ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

 

Contact Think Tutors

 

Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors’ elite teachers or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the Christmas period. Our teachers are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building. Please contact us if you are interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

 

Categories
University Admissions

University Applications: The Process

Although university open days are useful to make an informed decision on where you would like to attend, in depth research into the potential course, university, accommodations, and city is necessary to ensure that the final decision is the right one. For further clarification, please head to our university admissions page for more information as to how we can help provide a clear voice in the process.

 

Application

 

To start off the process, an account on the UCAS website must be created, which consists of the completion of five main areas: personal details, courses, qualifications, a personal statement, and an academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or professional contact. If your child is applying through their school, their teacher or tutor will be able to provide this.

 

Our teachers have been drawn from the UK’s elite universities and have extensive experience assisting students in their efforts to gain admission to the universities of their choice. With success in various entrance exams, essays, and interviews, Think Tutors has a wide array of tutors to give both clarity and confidence in the application process.

 

Institutional Decisions

 

Following the submission of an application to UCAS, the Track portal will keep them updated and notify them of any decisions made by their preferred institutions. It is important to note that applicants are unable to reply to any offers until a decision has been made by all of the institutions. Universities will make one of three decisions. Offer a place that is either unconditional or conditional on the grades achieved in the summer of 2023. An invitation to an interview before making a final decision is especially common in courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Education, Music, and Art. Finally, they may inform the student that their application was unsuccessful.

 

Responding to Offers

 

After receiving all five offers back from their selected universities, the applicant must then decide which should be their first and second choices. Completed through UCAS, their first choice will be their ‘firm choice’, and their second choice will be their ‘insurance choice’. This decision should not be rushed, as the deadline to do this is June 8th. It is recommended that the insurance choice be one that has lower grade boundaries than the firm choice, but the decision is entirely up to the applicant.

 

Deadlines

 

The general UCAS application deadline is January 25, 2023, at 6 p.m. UK time. However, it is no longer possible for entry into Oxbridge and courses such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, with the 15th of October as the deadline for 2023 entry. Please contact us if you have any questions about applying to Oxford or Cambridge in 2024. Many of our private tutors and academic mentors have studied at Oxbridge and are acutely aware of what is required for a successful entry.

 

Contact Think Tutors

 

Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors’ elite teachers or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process for university. Our teachers are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building. Please contact us if you are interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

Categories
School Admissions

Admissions Guide: Westminster School

98% of students achieved grades 7-9 at GCSE, with 25 students achieving straight 9s. Outstanding grades continue at A-Level, with 70% of students achieving straight A*s and 98% of Westminster students awarded A*-B. 94% of students progressed to their first-choice university.

 

82 pupils were offered places at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, while others chose to study at UCL (University College London), Imperial, and LSE (London School of Economics) in London. 22 of their pupils went to study in America at prestigious Ivy League colleges such as Stanford, Columbia, and Yale. Popular course choices by Westminster alumni were Medicine, Mathematics, History, Languages, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

 

Stage 1: Registration

 

For 13 plus admissions, the school takes on around 130 boys a year, a mix of day and boarding pupils. Around half of those boys will progress from Westminster Under, with the remainder progressing from a vast range of feeder schools such as Sussex House, Hall School, and Dulwich Prep. The school makes it clear that it does not accept those who are applying for 11 plus at Westminster Under at the same time as 13 plus. The first step is to register your son when he is in Year 5, the academic year that includes his tenth birthday. This can be done on the Westminster website.

 

Entrance to the sixth form opens yearly, with the next available entrance in September 2024. At this stage, about 200 boys and girls enter the Sixth Form, with around 120 progressing internally.

 

The school encourages that you check that your child is the correct age for registration via the registration checker on their website; this is also where you can apply for 13 or 16 plus entry. Notably, entrance to the school is incredibly competitive. Tuition from one of our school admission experts can guide your child to success in both exams and interviews to study at elite private education institutions.

 

Stage 2: School Visit and Pre-Interview Tests

 

The next stage of the process is to visit the school in one of the two open days that they have yearly. Westminster highly recommends this part of the admission process as it allows parents and child alike to learn in detail what the school can offer for your child’s academic and personal development.

 

Think Tutors can help organise school visits for you and your child. With links to top independent schools, we can ensure that you have a clear idea of the school in preparation for your visit.

 

13 Plus Admissions

 

Westminster uses results from the ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) Common Pre-tests, reports from the candidates’ present school, and a Pre-Interview test to assess a child at 13 plus. These tests are taken online, and the child is assessed on Mathematics, English and Reasoning. Think Tutors are au fait with the ISEB Common Pre-Tests and can ensure that your child has an advantage at this stage of their admission, which is critical to guaranteeing an interview.

 

16 Plus Admissions

 

For entry into the sixth form, pupils are required to sit tests in their four chosen subjects that they will undertake at A Level. Each test can take from 45 minutes to 1 hour, varying in questions and the need for subject knowledge. Tests differ from subject to subject. Examinations are taken at Westminster, typically in the first week of November.

 

Stage 3: Interviews

 

13 Plus Admissions

 

Children who have performed well in the ISEB Common Pre-Test will be contacted for an interview, usually around mid-December. In addition to an interview, this stage also includes two tests in Mathematics and English. Both these tests take 40 minutes each to complete and are taken in early January. The interview will be on a separate day in late January or early February.

 

16 Plus Admissions

 

Students who were both successful and unsuccessful at the pre-interview tests will be notified in late November. Those who performed most strongly will be invited for an interview but will be required to complete a personal statement prior to the interview. The process will include: 20-minute interviews for each subject, a 40-minute thinking skills assessment, and a general interview.

 

Stage 4: Offer of a place

 

13 Plus Admissions

 

Success in all stages will lead to an unconditional offer, made on the expectation that the boy continues his current academic trajectory and good conduct. If not immediately offered an unconditional place, the pupil may be placed on the waiting list and, when spaces become available, be promoted to an unconditional place.

 

16 Plus Admissions

 

If successful, pupils will be contacted in the first week of December. The offer will be subject to the student achieving a minimum of eight GCSE/IGCSE grades of 7, with at least four subjects scoring grades 8 (preferably in the subjects they will be studying at A Level). Furthermore, the successful students will be invited to spend a day at the school in March to become acquainted with their fellow pupils, meet existing pupils, be assigned to a House, and meet their Housemaster. Similarly, to 13 plus, some candidates will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if they are offered a place later in the year.

 

Contact Think Tutors

 

Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process for private education. With a 100% school admission success rate, our teachers are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building. Please contact us if you are interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

Categories
Topical

ADHD Awareness Month 2022

Many of our tutors have been trained to help students across the special educational needs spectrum, including ADHD. The insight below briefly describes ADHD, before outlining how our tailored approach helps each student meet and exceed their educational goals.

 

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people’s ability to concentrate on a single task for long periods of time. ADHD is mostly diagnosed when children are aged 3 to 7, but it can be diagnosed later on in childhood and also in adulthood.

Students with ADHD in the past have frequently been labelled as troublemakers, however, discourse is slowly changing, and both research and history show that many strengths are associated with ADHD. From presidents to painters, and actors to musicians, the world has been enlightened by those with ADHD and will continue to be. With specific regards to the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates; physician Albert Einstein; and polymath Leonardo Di Vinci.

ADHD in UK Schools

ADHD occurs in approximately 2-5% of schoolchildren in the UK. Students with ADHD have been stereotyped as easily distracted, often making careless mistakes, and disrupting the classroom. These students who have been wrongly stereotyped and who are also undiagnosed may feel isolated from their peers. However, the strengths associated with ADHD, and neurodiversity in general, can often help a student thrive in school.

Tutoring Students with ADHD

ADHD is increasingly seen as a unique way to unlock excellence. Our tutors recognise the ability to hyperfocus on tasks with enthusiasm, constantly acting upon curiosity, creativity, and intuitive thinking, abilities which are overlooked by many. With a wide range of tutors who have worked with pupils with ADHD, our tutors understand how to access this untapped potential.

Think Tutors investigate how the student learns best for both personal and academic growth. From bespoke learning plans to advice on independent schools that are best suited for your child’s needs, we pride ourselves on working with elite educational professionals to maximise learning and growth. We assess students’ current ability, identifying strengths and areas for improvement to provide purposeful tuition. Overall, we and our tutors place high importance on the students’ welfare to foster a healthy and happy learning environment for your child.

Contact Think Tutors

With a 100% school admission success rate, our teachers are adept at enhancing performance through repetition, careful preparation, and confidence building. Please get in touch with us if you’re interested in finding a tutor to help your child feel confident and succeed in their studies.

Categories
School Admissions Topical

Independent School of the Year: Epsom College

The honour is a true reflection of the first-class education that the school offers to its pupils. The winner is judged by a panel who assesses schools across the country who were shortlisted for one of the 22 award categories from the awarding association. Whoever impresses them the most overall is subsequently named School of the Year Winner.

 

Academic Excellence

 

At a co-educational independent school based in Surrey, from ages 11 to 18, pupils can experience an exceptional student experience in combination with achieving academic excellence. Impressively, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) assessed the educational quality of the school and made “no recommendations” for future improvement.

 

Epsom is an institution that shines in several areas, from well-being to SEND support, to extraordinary GCSE and A Level results. Their academic success was exemplified in the last set of league tables published by the Department of Education, which ranked the school in the top 1% nationally. Over 70% of their students’ progress to their first-choice Russell Group university, and in 2022, three students were accepted into Cambridge and a further ten went on to study medicine.

 

Charitable Roots

 

The aims of the institution have always been charitable. They were awarded with royal approval in 1855, and Queen Victoria herself was the first patron. Dr. Propert’s (the school’s founder) vision was to educate children, provide financial assistance, and provide a home for widowed families and older members of the medical community. To this day, the school upholds Propert’s legacy and continues to offer pensions to retired doctors and their families in financial hardship.

 

More recently, the Telegraph published an article which showcased Epsom’s commitment to upholding its historic aims. During the national lockdown, the school provided free accommodation to NHS workers in the utility of their boarding houses. In addition to this kind gesture, they collected donations, manufactured PPE, and helped to distribute the roll out of vaccinations.

 

Epsom Entrance

 

Epsom has become increasingly competitive at entry points 11, 13, 14, and 16+. Furthermore, with its recent achievement as the best independent school, it is set to become even harder to be admitted into the school.

 

As Epsom encourages both UK and international applications, Think Tutors has a global network with tutors around the world to help. In search of ‘all-rounders’ with exceptional entrance scores (Verbal Reasoning scores tend to be around 118-120), guidance from Think Tutors will ensure that your child attends the acclaimed best school in the country. Think Tutors is highly skilled at providing tutors both in the UK and overseas, and would therefore be extremely well-suited to ensuring success for any child, at any level.

 

How can Think Tutors help?

 

At Think Tutors, with the assistance of the highly qualified tutors that we can offer, your child will reach success. Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process. With a 100% success rate for school entrance, our tutors are experts at improving results through practice, comprehensive planning and confidence building. If you are interested in finding a tutor to ensure that your child feels confident enough to perform in their entrance exams, please contact us.

 

Categories
Topical

Fun Investments into Education

Masterclass and Short Classes at the National Youth Theatre 

The NYT provides incredible opportunities for teenagers to explore drama, theatre, and acting through their masterclasses and short classes. Options are available online or in person. Their ‘Start-Up’ programme, for instance, encourages young people to develop their potential (on and off the stage) by exploring a range of topics across storytelling, devising theatre, movement, music, and character. It’s BBC approved and, at Think Tutors, we highly recommend it too.

100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp for 2022 – Udemy

The opportunities for self-directed and assisted learning online are practically endless. With over 54 million students and 204,000 courses, Udemy is a well-recognised education company operating at the leading edge of online learning. Given coding’s importance as the language of innovation and technology, one of Udemy’s many coding-related courses could be the perfect gift for your gifted child.

Oculus Educational Apps

The Oculus range of VR headsets is pioneering 3D educational apps for the 21st century. Exploring everything from human anatomy and Rembrandt to chemistry and Anne Frank’s house, the opportunities to view educational content beyond the limits of a textbook or Google images is astounding. This is an excellent gift for children who adore technology and are insatiably curious.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s plays may be read the world over, but not everyone gets the opportunity to live and breathe the reconstructed atmosphere of where they were originally performed. Seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays at The Globe is the perfect way to bring the bard alive for his youngest fans, but it can also be beneficial for those who are struggling to understand his work. It is also because there are plenty of resources available on site to help such students better understand both the playwright and his plays. Indeed, Shakespeare’s Globe is well worth a trip to London on its own merits or when coupled with other adventures.

Bespoke Experiences at the Royal Observatory

You don’t need to live near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to explore the night sky; indeed, there are thousands of observatories around the world that welcome public interest and youth participation. But, if you do happen to live in Britain, a bespoke tour of the Royal Observatory would be well worth it. There, you can arrange for your own private planetarium show and collaborate with professional astronomers to conduct your own observations using telescopes. For those who can’t make it there in person, there are online opportunities as well. These include virtual fireside chats with expert Royal Observatory astronomers as they transport you from your home to the outer edges of the universe.

Personalised Tours of Oxford and Cambridge

Our team of industry-leading tutors are available to curate bespoke educational outings for children, teenagers, and parents alike. With institutional connections to many leading museums, institutes, and universities, we can provide personalised tours by leading professionals and academics. Likewise, with dozens of our tutors having studied at Oxford and Cambridge, Think Tutors are incredibly well positioned to guide an aspiring applicant on a behind the scenes tour of many of the most famous and interesting colleges.

How can Think Tutors help?

At Think Tutors, with the assistance of the highly qualified tutors that we can offer, your child will achieve success. A number of our tutors and mentors are vastly experienced in working with multiple students from a range of backgrounds. If you are interested in finding a tutor to ensure that your child not only surpasses their academic targets but feels excited by education, please do get in touch.

 

Categories
School Admissions

Admissions Guide: Entry to St Paul’s School at 7 and 8+

Based in central London, St Paul’s have a long-standing reputation for both delivering a world-class education and producing students with a truly global outlook. First founded in 1509 by the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, John Colet, by 1870 it was named as one of the ‘nine great public schools’ of England. The high standards have been maintained until present day, with the school consistently achieving excellent results at both GCSE and A Level. With a focus on pursuing academic excellence, the school devotes time to consider how they can help the boys leave St Paul’s as well-rounded individuals with an understanding of the world they live in.

 

As a prestigious and highly ranked independent school, the rush to join St Paul’s school can be frantic. With just fifty-four places available at 7+ and a meagre eighteen places available at 8+, entry to St Paul’s is extremely competitive. As 7 and 8+ entry into the school is closed for 2023, parents must look ahead to 2024 to ensure that their son can have the best chance of a successful admission into the school. Junior school entrance cements a better chance of progression into the senior school at 13+, as the child is automatically registered for transfer to St Paul’s at 13+, on the condition that they have stayed at the Junior School for the full duration of their studies. The next available year for 13+ entry is 2026. Consequently, admission at an earlier entry is imperative.

 

Stage 1: Registration and References

 

The first step of the process is to register via an online registration form, expressing your interest and ambition for your child to attend. Registration will open on the 10th October 2022 for entry into 2024 and an early registration is suggested as spaces will fill up quickly. In applying, you will be asked and required to upload a copy of your son’s passport and submit a payment of £175 in the form of a non-refundable registration fee. St Paul’s requires that both parents agree to the application, in the exception in the case of sole custody. After applying, St Paul’s will then contact your son’s current school for a reference (consent is given to St Paul’s to contact for references by applying).

 

Stage 2: Examinations

 

The assessment will be a compilation of examinations that will test your child’s current academic level and potential. Candidates will set tests in English, Mathematics and Reasoning. The assessment days for 2024 entry will be early December, for those sitting the 7+ entrance exams and early January, for those who sit the 8+ exams.

 

At Think Tutors, we can offer a range of tutors from all backgrounds to guide you and your child to success in the 7 and 8+ entry at any independent school, including St Paul’s. We provide tuition that is unrivalled, bespoke and attuned to each individual child and their family. Think Tutors will elevate your child’s confidence while improving their foundational knowledge and understanding.

 

Stage 3: Assessment, Interview and Offer

 

Successful boys will be invited back for half-day group assessments. The day will include a Maths and English lesson, alongside a group problem solving task. This day can be difficult for children and so preparation is vital for increased chance of success and acceptance. During this day, the parents will have the opportunity to meet with the Head of St Paul’s Juniors, Oliver Snowball. The assessment day should take place within two weeks of the written test stage and following this stage, successful applicants will be made an offer. Boys are accepted to St Paul’s Juniors on the understanding that St Paul’s will be their first choice of senior school.

 

How can Think Tutors help?

 

At Think Tutors, with the assistance of the highly qualified tutors that we can offer, your child will reach success. Organising tuition or mentoring with one of Think Tutors elite tutors or mentors is an excellent way to gain an advantage in the application process. With a 100% success rate for school entrance, our tutors are experts at improving results through practice, comprehensive planning and confidence building. If you are interested in finding a tutor to ensure that your child feels confident and can ease through entrance exams, please contact us.

 

Categories
University Admissions

Choosing Your Oxbridge College: Questions to Ask Yourself

Does the college offer the subject you want to study? 

It may come as a surprise, but not every college teaches every course. Many of the big colleges do, but some colleges prefer to be more particular in what they provide. You can easily find out which subjects are taught at which colleges by navigating the university or faculty website.

Do alumni networks and alumni benefits matter to you?

This final question may seem a little strange to be asking before you have even applied to a college, let alone been accepted to one. Nevertheless, if you do attend an Oxbridge college, you will become a member for life. As such, you will spend far more time as an alumnus than as a student. So, too, your college’s networks may be very important during the first few steps of your career. For these reasons its worth having a quick look at a college’s alumni page to see what they offer after graduation.

Does location matter to you?

Oxbridge colleges are spread throughout their respective cities. Generally speaking, newer colleges are located further away from the city centres, whereas older colleges are more centralised. The city centres are very charming, but they can also be incredibly crowded (and not just with tourists). It is also worth thinking about proximity to your department and whether you want a long or short journey to lectures.

Do you want a small, medium, or large college?

College size can vary greatly. Some are only a few hundred students, whereas others can be over a thousand. That means your year group can range from less than one hundred people to more than three times that. Small colleges are often noted for their warmth and close-knit nature, whereas large colleges can offer more variety and choice. Neither is better, but it is good to know what you want.

How important are aesthetics?

Some colleges do have genuine ‘Brideshead’ or ‘Harry Potter’ vibes (not least because the movies were filmed there), while other colleges can look less quintessentially Oxbridge. If you’re not bothered by red brick or Cotswold stone, then consider applying to a modern college. If looks matter, consider your options wisely, as some of the prettiest colleges are also the most oversubscribed.

Which facilities matter to you?

Dining rooms, libraries, chapels, common rooms, and bars are standard facilities at most colleges, but some have specific facilities that may or may not be interest to you. This is especially true if you are sporty, as some colleges have extensive and conveniently located pitches, gyms, and boat houses. This can also be applicable for music, as some colleges have extensive facilities for practice and performance.

Do you want college accommodation for all three years?

Not every college has enough housing to offer accommodation students for all three years of their degree. While first years are generally provided with on-site rooms, students sometimes have to live further afield in their second and third year in order to remain in college-owned rooms. It is also worth noting that costs and quality can vary between colleges, as do dining arrangements and kitchen facilities.

Do you have a preference regarding gender balance?

While many colleges are evenly split between genders, some colleges do have more of one gender than another. Likewise, Cambridge has several women only colleges.

Do you have a preference regarding state and public-school balance?

Some colleges are more interested in admitting state school applicants than those from public schools. If you have a preference in either direction, have a look at the admissions statistics for your college.

How can Think Tutors help?

At Think Tutors, with the assistance of the highly qualified tutors that we can offer, your child will reach success. A number of our tutors and mentors are vastly experienced within Oxbridge entrance and have worked with multiple students to gain entry into their chosen college. If you are interested in finding a tutor to ensure that your child feels confident in selecting their chosen college and experiencing success in entry, please do get in touch.