Dukes Tutoring Reviews 

In thinking about Independent and State Selective Secondary Schools for our daughter, who was in Yr 5 at the time, we called on the services of JK Educate for a one-off assesment and objective advice on which schools (if any) we should think about applying to and where are daughter might have a good chance of getting into. We were very pleased with the experience and found it very helpful in setting our goals for Secondary schools. She also enjoyed the day and found it fun. I think the report helped boost her confidence in facing the exams she did sit. We also found it good value for money and were very satisfied with the level of detail in report and the insight and recommendations provided. In fact, I have recommended JK Educate to several other parents who are thinking about secondary school for their children. In the end, our daughter was offered a place at a very good Idependent scondary school (one which was on thier list) which we are very pleased about.

This excellent tutoring service ensures a collaborative process that builds on the child's evolving abilities week upon week. I have been very impressed with the levels of communication, feedback and engagement from all staff. The process has empowered the tutee I am sponsoring, with a disciplined mind set and work ethic that will hopefully remain with him throughout life, and bring him success in whatever career path he chooses.

I have had the most incredible experience with JK Educate. Everyone from the tutors, to the administration team to the assessors have all been first class. They have always been so attentive to my sons educational needs, tailoring his educational journey to suit his personality. I truly believe that they are extremely passionate about getting my child to not only pass exams but to love learning and to develop all of his skills. I highly recommend JK Educate and am so grateful to them.

When we came to JK for assessments of our twin girls we discussed that they would be fine going to the local state school, (rated outstanding) and saving the money for private schooling for any tutoring support they may need. However they decided that they wanted to try for Highgate as it is the best school in the area and they want to get the best possible education. This was 6 weeks before the exam and they had had no tutoring. So I got straight onto JK and asked for a last minute tutor who could do two sessions a week - JK came up with Charlie and he did a great job. Not only did the girls pass the exam, they also passed the interview and are both starting at Highgate in September 2018.

They are from a state school and although the Highgate exam covers National Curriculum topics, many of the topics had not yet been taught to them, and of course they had no experience of these kinds of exam. Given that 800 apply for 90 places, I think anyone will agree it is an amazing achievement...

So a big thank you to JK Educate and to Charlie the tutor for making it possible for them to achieve their dream. They cant wait to start...

JK Educate has been a life changer for our son who got through the top 11+ schools and has finally accepted a place at Westminster Under School.
Right from the initial assessment by Katie to the workshops, mock exams and home tutoring by Emma Berens ( of JK Educate), it has been a very smooth and successful journey so far and we have decided to continue this journey...Also a special thanks to Nimita who is always on hand for any queries.

Aditi & Debangshu Dey
( Parents of Diganta Dey)

Much of the service that JK Educate offers is excellent. It was very helpful to have a chance to test our son's progress and ability at the beginning of Year 5, and to get advice on possible schools to try for at 11+. The tutor that JK sent us was really great - she built up a good rapport with our son, he enjoyed his lessons and was always happy to see her. The revision workshops are also very good. Our son found them challenging and interesting and was happy to go to them.

Unfortunately, our son was unsuccessful in the 11+, and in retrospect there were some areas in which we would have liked more help and support. In particular, it would have helped to have had a defined time quite early on (say at the end of the autumn term of Y5) when the tutor asked for our school choices and made sure that everything was on schedule. As it was the early dates for the grammar school entrance exams really caught us out. We also felt that some of the areas that our son finds difficult (such as keeping calm and focused and presenting his work clearly and neatly) needed more attention earlier on, as by the time we had realised that these were a serious problem it was getting late to do anything about them.

I would certainly recommend JK to parents who, like me, found the 11+ process baffling. But I would suggest that parents may need to be more proactive than I was about checking that everything is going at the right speed, and that things don't get left too late.

I can't recommend JK Educate high enough. My daughter didn't feel supported at school; She lacked confidence and with JK Educate she learn't to believe in herself. My daughter got her first choice school, she's happy, confident and thriving.

My son is now being supported and his confidence has soared. I've been so impressed with the tutor selection. Each tutor has been a perfect match.

Excellent and very helpful analysis of the child’s level. Plan quickly and accurately put together and appropriate tutor identified and supplied. Well worth it.

Efficient and organised, experienced and caring. We received a bespoke, objective and very helpful assessment of our daughter's abilities.
We used them for our eldest child and will use again for our youngest.

The introduction and assessment process was seamless. Extremely professional all the way through and eye opening for a first experience into this space.
Thank you to Nirmita for explaining the process and ensuring we had a full understanding. The tutor has been excellent and such a good fit for my son . Thank you to all of the team.

11 plus tutor group after school on Wednesdays is fantastic. Such dedicated staff making sure everything is covered and working hard to boost each child’s confidence. Very impressed.

JK run a very efficient and effective service. The assessment process was good and proved very accurate; the mock exams were useful; both tutors we had were excellent and clearly well trained in JK approaches; it was good to have all the practice papers provided; and the interview training was spot on. In short, JK absolutely know what they are doing when it comes to 11 plus. Our son got into Westminster, Highgate and QE Boys and got offered scholarships at Haberdashers and City of London. That might sound like the whole process was smooth but it was far from that - all the tutoring and preparation was gruelling and there were lots of ups and downs. Initially, our son went to the JK group tutoring which did not work for him. We have also used JK to provide a tutor for our daughter who has special educational needs. We have a good tutor, but I'm not particularly aware of JK doing anything in the background other than having sourced the tutor.

Katie and the team provide outstanding, specialist teachers to focus specifically on the needs of the individual child. They are friendly and responsive and my daughter loved her tutor Denise who made intense learning feel like fun. Their knowledge of the secondary school market is exceptional and they always put the child first.

Allison

I’m now experiencing preparation for secondary admissions for the second time with JK educate. Over the past 5 years, they have fully supported us in reaching our goals. They communicate, listen, respond. They have an excellent bank of tutors and resources. My 13 year old just left for the day to attend his exceptional school where he is very happy. I give JK education huge credit for helping him get there.

We love the dedication and skill of our tutor - nothing is too much trouble and everything is possible. That is an attitude that pervades the entire JK infra structure. Our tutor is a great role model for our children. Furthermore, the results were excellent - our children received offers at every school from which they wanted offers.

Really excellent and pro-active support from the team, with a great one to one assessment of my son’s potential and areas for focus. Very impressed with how they “got” him and subsequently identified a really good match for his tutor. He’s responding really well to his tutor and enjoys his lessons. He is even becoming a bit more focussed!

Very helpful and quick in finding great tutors at all levels of education.

Our son got offers from 3 top schools (Merchant Taylors, City of London & UCS) with thanks to JK Educate for their tutoring and interview technique help.

From the moment JK assessed my son, they knew instantly what he needed. The team are swift, efficient and extremely personable. As a parent going through the 7+ for the first time, they not only supported my son but also a very nervous and anxious mummy. I honestly couldn’t have gotten through the whole process without them.

I have had great 11+ success with JK Educate. My daughters loved their tutors and wanted to work well for them and tutor group was the highlight of the week! The mock exams are well worth doing and Katie was on hand for advice whenever needed. I really don't think we would have had such a successful and fun 11+ journey without them.