GCSE

All our GCSE tutors are qualified teachers, with many years’ experience of teaching at GCSE level. Many are also exam board markers. All the tutors have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the what is needed to score highly on exam papers. Their tutoring is a mix of ensuring subject knowledge is sound and accurate, and that exam technique is practiced. They expect tutees to complete homework, which they set and mark. GCSEs are usually taken at the end of Year 11, when students are 16 years of age. However, there are some students who are ready to take these earlier, and some decide to delay sitting their GCSEs. Kensington Tutors can advise on exam entry as a private candidate if this is necessary. GCSEs are available in a huge range of subjects and are internationally recognised qualifications. There are 5 different exam boards used in England and Northern Ireland. Many of our tutors teach across all boards. GCSEs are sat in May and June, although it is possible to re-sit GCSE qualifications in October and November. In past years, only a limited number of GCSEs were available for the November sitting, but due to the pandemic and the cancellation of public examinations in 2020 and 2021, all subjects are available this November. The deadline for November entry is 4th October without incurring a late entry fee.

IGCSE
This qualification is the ‘international’ version of GCSEs and is taught in many countries around the world. In the UK, the IGCSE is typically taught at international schools or private schools. There are 2 exam boards that accredit IGCSEs and exams can be sat at three different times throughout the year (May and June, November and January).

A Level
Our tutors for the Advanced Level course are all experts in their field, able to motivate and encourage students to achieve their best. The step up, in terms of depth and expectations, from GCSEs to A Levels is significant and some students can find the transition challenging. Our tutors can work alongside students from the beginning of their courses, to supplement their school teaching. Alternately intensive tutoring can be offered in the run up to exams. Many schools set Mock Examinations at the end of the first year (Year 12) and base their grade predictions for University, on these results. Applications to University in the UK are generally complete by January of Year 13, although some institutions and courses such as Oxbridge and Medics need to be made by October of year 13, meaning those exams at the end of Year 12 are very important and tutoring will be an important and an increasingly more normalised part of this process. As with GCSE tutoring, many of our tutors also mark exam papers so have been trained in the expectations examiners have of responses.

International Baccalaureate
An increasing number of schools in the UK offer the IB programme. Our tutors predominantly support students on the IB Diploma, taken as an alternative to A-Levels.