Useful links

Here is a selection of useful educational links, including schools, tuition agencies and exam boards.

Special offers

Atom Learning

Atom Learning FREE Online Summer Courses

Throughout July and August, my partners at Atom Learning are running free, online, intensive summer courses across English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning and creative writing for Key Stage 2 pupils.

Atom’s courses are designed to consolidate and build understanding and allow pupils to get a head start on the next school year.

I’d highly recommend taking part in Atom’s courses to ensure your child feels confident and well-prepared for September.

Click here to view Atom’s Summer Course Schedule and book your child’s place.

Special offer – up to 30% off!

Atom Learning is a KS2 online adaptive learning platform, covering English, Maths and Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning. Atom Learning combines high-quality, teacher-made content with sophisticated technology to keep students on their individual, optimal learning paths. Atom Learning is designed to consolidate KS2 knowledge and help those preparing for senior school entrance assessments such as the 11+, the ISEB Common Pre-Tests and the London Consortium tests.

If you click here and quote qSpnTRQh as your discount code, you’ll receive 10% off any subscription you decide to take out.

‘The prices displayed in the table below are pre-discount. Subscribing via my code will reduce all subscriptions by 10%.

If you sign up for a year-long subscription, you’ll automatically receive a 20% discount off the total cost. Signing up using the qSpnTRQh code will give you a further 10%, giving you a 30% discount overall!

Signing up for a Premium subscription for 12 months via this link: £518.31
Signing up for a Standard subscription for 12 months via this link: £431.91
Atom don’t offer a 20% annual discount on a Basic subscription, so using this link will just give you 10% off the total payment.

The 7 Day Exam Plan

If you’re looking for help with exam technique, try The 7 Day Exam Plan from The Exam Coach.

Cover the essentials of exam success in just 7 days by listening to a 10-15 minute audio message each day delivered on WhatsApp.
Receive messages every weekday (Mon – Fri) throughout the rest of the school year to help you stay on track and do the right things at the right time.
Have The Exam Coach in your corner throughout crucial times such as holiday revision and exam season.

If you’d like to transform the way you study for your exams, sign up for The 7 Day Exam Plan for just £79. You can even message The Exam Coach on WhatsApp for 30 days free!

Bespoke Tuition

Bespoke Tuition has kindly offered a FREE half-hour online tutorial if you quote ‘Nick Dale’. To book, just send an email to emma@bespoketuition.com or call the office on +44 (0)207 3856795.

Summer 11+ Revision Courses

With so much school missed, students embarking on the tough 11+ process in the coming academic year may be feeling the pressure more than ever. Bespoke Tuition continues to provide 11+ specialist tutors who can offer personalised one-to-one support in this area and help students to perform to their highest potential across all areas. To provide that little bit of extra support, Bespoke Tuition is pleased to have selected Griffin & Bell as our favoured, experienced provider of Online 11+ courses (max. 12 per group) to give students going into Year 6 an extra boost this summer before any pending assessments. Read on to discover how we can help your tutees to do themselves justice in their exams via these online skill-building courses that will develop exam strategy, technique and confidence.

11+ Course record

Past participants in these 11+ courses have earned places at: St. Paul’s (Girls’ and Boys’ Schools), Westminster, North London Collegiate, City, Habs, Highgate, UCS, Merchant Taylors, Eton, Francis Holland, South Hampstead High, Latymer Upper, Godolphin, Notting Hill & Ealing, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey and many more. Several have been offered Academic Scholarships.

11+ Course content

Working with up to 12 pupils, each course will cover comprehension technique, creative writing, consolidation of key maths topics, problem-solving skills, handling nerves, time management, non-verbal and verbal reasoning tips and an interview workshop. The course finishes with mock tests in English and Maths. The material is specifically designed to get pupils ready for the challenging autumn term, and to arm them with the tools and techniques that will really help in the tough 11+ / pre-test process to come.

Course dates

First course dates: 14th to 17th July, 10am – 1pm each day (4 x 3 hour days)
Second course dates: 21st to 24th July, 10am – 1pm each day (4 x 3 hour days)
Third course dates: 25th – 28th August, 10am – 1pm each day (4 x 3 hour days)
Fourth course dates: 25th – 28th August, 2pm – 5pm each day (4 x 3 hour days)

Cost for each course (12 hours per course plus an invaluable detailed written report containing strengths/weaknesses assessment, school selection if required, tuition strategy and resources): £395

Booking

Due to high demand after this disrupted school year, there will be four 11+ groups over the summer. These four courses will all feature the same material, so we only recommend students sign up to one of the summer groups. It will be a great way to consolidate curriculum material and rebuild confidence and motivation after Covid-19. Following the course, families will also receive advice on school selection and tuition based on pupils’ performance. We expect high demand for these courses this year and would encourage you to please inform your tutees of these courses and get in touch with us ASAP if interested.

To book a place, please send an email to emma@bespoketuition.com or call the office on +44 (0)207 3856795.

Employability Accelerator Programme (18-26 years old)

Bespoke Tuition is pleased to offer a £200 discount on the Employability Accelerator Programme, designed to offer real, practical support for young adults during this extraordinarily turbulent time – for whatever their next step may be. By creating a programme of invaluable career mentoring from FTSE 500 recognised executive coaches, intensive and focused work experience, and with an award-winning learning platform, Employability Accelerator aims to ensure that participants stand out and accelerate their prospects, whether ensuring their place at university, internship, graduate job or first step on the career ladder. The programme is currently delivered online and is carefully tailored to suit each individual’s goals, aspirations and abilities.

Why now?

Get Prepared. The pandemic has made career development more difficult. Our programme is specifically designed to work in a virtual environment. How students use this summer can significantly change future employability – don’t waste it.
Experience Work. Exposure to real work as early as possible is integral to success. Over a third of recruiters who took part in a Highfliers survey of the graduate market* warned that ‘irrespective of their academic achievements, graduates who have had no previous work experience…have little or no chance of receiving a job offer.’
Motivate. We are passionate about students realising their potential, no matter what. In a time where a Prospects survey** showed ‘66% final year students feel negative about their future careers’ and ‘83% are lacking in motivation,’ the programme is designed to elevate enthusiasm and motivation to achieve the best future for the next generation, even in the face of challenging circumstances. Watch video.

The programme

2-weeks of work experience and tailored personal development sessions
Ongoing one-to-one feedback from professional Coaches to ensure you master core business skills and personal development
Recommendations, application support and improved confidence to optimise your employability chances

Duration and hours

The programme lasts for 2 weeks and aims to replicate the structure of a working week, running from 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday. There is social activity too with your managers, coaches and peer group.

Age

Students must typically be a minimum of 18 years of age and currently students or recent graduates. For the work experience project, students will be organised into groups of around 5 peers.

Dates and pricing

The Programmes run throughout the summer and over Christmas 2020. Please click below to be taken to more information about current programme availability and price.
More info.

£200 discount

If you quote ‘Bespoke’ on application, you’ll receive a special £200 discount. There are still spaces available for 6 and 20 July. Apply now.

Exam Papers Plus

You can get £5 off all orders over £40 at Exam Papers Plus when you enter the code nickdale at checkout.

Kings Tutors

Mention ‘KingsNickDale’ when you book a lesson with Kings Tutors to get 5% off the normal hourly rate.

Schools

Types of school

The terminology for schools in the UK can be quite confusing, so here’s a quick guide.

Private schools charge fees and are not run by the Government, although they have to follow certain rules. They are also known as independent schools, and the most famous ones such as Eton and Harrow are- confusingly – known as public schools
Grammar schools are state schools and don’t charge fees, but they are academically selective and have a very good reputation. There are only 164 of them left.
Comprehensive schools make up the vast majority of free state schools and generally have the worst reputation, but there are exceptions.
Faith schools have to follow the national curriculum, but they can choose what they teach in religious studies and may have different admissions criteria and staffing policies to other state schools, although anyone can apply for a place.
Free schools are Government-funded but aren’t run by the local council, which means they have more control over staffing and curriculum. However, they’re ‘all-ability’ schools, so they can’t use academic selection processes like grammar schools.
Academies are state schools that are funded by the Government but run by an academy trust, a charity that controls how funds are spent and how the school is managed.
City technology colleges are independent schools in urban areas that are free for pupils to attend. They’re owned and funded by businesses as well as the Government and specialise in practical and technical skills.
Special schools are schools for children aged 11 and over with special educational needs. They can specialise in one of four areas: communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, or sensory and physical needs. Within each area, they can go further, for instance by catering specifically for children with autism or visual impairments.

The Independent Schools Council has a searchable database of private schools here, but I’ve listed the major ones in the Greater London area and elsewhere.

Greater London

Abercorn School
Alleyn’s School
Bancroft’s School
Channing School
Charterhouse Square School
City of London Freemen’s School
City of London School
City of London School for Girls
Dulwich College
Eltham College
Emanuel School
Eton College
Francis Holland School
Garden House School
Godolphin & Latymer School
Guildford High School
Hampton School
The Harrodian School
Harrow School
Highgate School
Ibstock Place School
James Allen’s Girls’ School
King’s College School
Kingston Grammar School
Knightsbridge School
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Latymer Upper School
Marymount International School London
Mill Hill School
North Bridge House School
North London Collegiate School
Notting Hill and Ealing High School
Palmers Green High School
Putney High School
Queen’s College, London
Royal Grammar School
South Hampstead High School
St Benedict’s School
St Dunstan’s College
St James Independent Schools
St Paul’s Girls’ School
St Paul’s Juniors
St Paul’s School
Surbiton High School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
The Harrodian School
The Latymer School
Tiffin School
University College School
Westminster School
Westminster Under School
Wetherby School
Whitgift School
Wimbledon High School
Wycombe Abbey

Outside London

Ampleforth College
Badminton
Bedales
Benenden School
Blundell’s School
Bryanston
Charterhouse
cheltenhamcollege.org
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Fettes College
Gordonstoun
The King’s School Canterbury
The Manchester Grammar School
Marlborough College
Millfield School
Oundle School
The Perse School
Roedean School
Rugby School
Sherborne Girls
Sherborne School
St Edward’s Oxford
Stowe School
Tonbridge School
Uppingham
Wellington College
Winchester College

School open days

John Catt’s School Search – Calendar of Open Days at Independent Schools

Tuition agencies

Adrian Beckett Tutors
Athena Tuition
Bespoke Tuition (just quote ‘Nick Dale’ for a free 45-minute online tutorial or consult the Bespoke Tuition Teaching Resource Bank)
Bigfoot Tutors
BOFA 11 Plus
Bonas MacFarlane
Bright Young Things Tuition
British Home Tutors
Carfax Private Tutors
Childcare
Dulwich Tutors
Enjoy Education
Explore Learning
First Class Tutors
First Tutors
Fleet Tutors
Gabbitas
The Golden Circle
Harrison Allen
Holland Park Tuition
Ivy Education
Kensington & Chelsea Tutors
Keystone Tutors
Kings Tutors (mention ‘KingsNickDale’ when you book a lesson to get a 5% discount on the hourly rate)
Knightsbridge Tutors
Kip McGrath Education Centres
Laidlaw Education
Learn Happy London
Libra Education
Mentor & Sons
Minerva Tutors
My Private Tutor
Osborne Cawkwell
Pegasus Tutors
Personal Tutors
ProTeacher
Scoodle
Search Tutors
Select My Tutor
Shawcross Bligh
Simply Learning Tuition
Superior Learning
Superprof
Tavistock Tutors
Titanium Tutors
The Tutor Trust
Top Tutors
Tutopia
Tutor House
Tutor Hub
Tutor Hunt
Tutorfair
Tutorful
Tutors International
UK Study Centre
UK Tutors
Varsity Tutors
Westminster Tutors

Exam boards

AQA
Edexcel
Falcons Interview
ISEB
OCR
Pearson Schools & FE Colleges

English

Maths

Brilliant.org
James Billot – Speed Distance Time Test
Math Warehouse – Angles of a Polygon
Maths Revision – GCSE
Maths Revision Aid 1 Maths Revision Aid 2 Maths Revision Aid 3 Maths Revision Aid 4 Maths Revision Aid 5 Maths Revision Aid 6 Maths Revision Aid 7 Maths Revision Aid 8 Maths Revision Aid 9 Maths Revision Aid 10 Maths Revision Aid 11 Maths Revision Aid 12
My Maths
Times tables questions
Wiki Answers – Diagonals of a Polygon
Wikipedia – Trigonometry

French

About.com – Imperfect Subjunctive
About.com – Subjunctive
Duolingo
French Tutorial
This Is Language – French videos and transcripts
Wiktionary – French frequency lists, words 1-2000

Sailing

Aztec Sailing – Admiralty Charts
Aztec Sailing – Theory Class
British Offshore Sailing School – RYA Day Skipper Syllabus – Tidal
RYA – Day Skipper
RYA – Shore-based Instructors
Sail Train
Visit My Harbour – Cowes Harbour

Dyslexia

Dyslexia.org – Spelling Rules
Dystalk
Special Direct.com – SEN Supplies
Wikipedia – Synthetic Phonics

Other

Age/Grade/Year Equivalents Table
Age, Year and Curriculum Stage for UK, US & IB
Assessment Day
Atom Learning
BBC Bitesize
Cottar’s Colouring Book Pictures by Aimee Cass
Dance Mat Typing
Department for Education (QTS)
Department for Education (writing assessment)
Grammar School Insider
Homework Helpline Hub
Internet 4 Classrooms – MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts
Kano
K5 Learning
Khan Academy
LNAT Practice Tests
Minerva Tutors TV
Pass the QTS Skills Tests
Primary Resources
Seneca
School Entrance Tests
Steve’s Learning
Teachers Pay Teachers
Teaching Success
TES – Teaching Resources
TES – Classroom Toolkit
TES – The secret world of the über tutor
Twinkl
Type by Touch
Wikipedia – Keyboard Shortcuts

Nick Dale – Private Tutor

Private tutor in Putney for English and Maths

Useful links

Special offers

Atom Learning

Atom Learning FREE Online Summer Courses

Click here to view Atom’s Summer Course Schedule and book your child’s place.

Special offer – up to 30% off!

The 7 Day Exam Plan

Bespoke Tuition

Summer 11+ Revision Courses

11+ Course record

11+ Course content

Course dates

Booking

Employability Accelerator Programme (18-26 years old)

Why now?

The programme

Duration and hours

Age

Dates and pricing

£200 discount

Exam Papers Plus

Kings Tutors

Schools

Types of school

Greater London

Outside London

School open days

Tuition agencies

Exam boards

English

Maths

French

Sailing

Dyslexia

Other

Like this:

Special offers

Atom Learning

Atom Learning FREE Online Summer Courses

Click here to view Atom’s Summer Course Schedule and book your child’s place.

Special offer – up to 30% off!

The 7 Day Exam Plan

Bespoke Tuition

Summer 11+ Revision Courses

11+ Course record

11+ Course content

Course dates

Booking

Employability Accelerator Programme (18-26 years old)

Why now?

The programme

Duration and hours

Age

Dates and pricing

£200 discount

Exam Papers Plus

Kings Tutors

Schools

Types of school

Greater London

Outside London

School open days

Tuition agencies

Exam boards

English

Maths

French

Sailing

Dyslexia

Other

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