Simply Learning Tuition

With VAT biting on school fees, parents are weighing up options and budgets when it comes to a child’s full school journey.

Simply Learning founder and director, Nathaniel McCullagh, argues that prep schools still play a highly valuable role in shaping our children.

Discover more here:https://www.simplylearningtuition.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Ab-Ed-Summer-2026-Is-Prep-Ed-Worth-It-feature.pdf

Our director of client engagement, Alison Melrose, shares her top tips on finding the right fit tutor to help your child focus in .

You can read more here:https://www.simplylearningtuition.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Ab-Ed-Summer-2025-AskTheExperts.pdf

The future was brighter for all of us after the Academic Conference on Wednesday. It was a great day for the Simply Learning team to meet so many education colleagues and hear school and business leaders discuss The Bright Side of Education.

Fascinating insights on the world of work from CEO Nicola Murphy kicked off the day in a panel discussion with Emma McKendrick and Alastair Land. delivered an inspiring speech about how to get students future ready and Cathy Ellott, Head at Clapham, and Streatham High School, spoke about the importance of parent partnerships. delivered the speech of the day on the need for 'play' in education.

Thank you to the whole Downe team for their fantastic organisation.

Much looking forward to the Academic Conference this upcoming Wednesday. Last year was fantastic.

We will be there to listen, learn and meet lots of colleagues from the education world. Can't wait to hear from Downe Alumna, and all those speaking.

Do come and find us on the day. We'd love to meet you.

Are you ready for UCAS? Applications for 2027 are now open, so it’s the perfect chance for Lower VI students to explore post-school options – most importantly, what they would like to study, and where they want to study it.

Three essential questions to consider…
- Location, location, location – city versus campus? Up North or down South? UK or somewhere else?
- Vocational course or something broader?
- Which specific course modules appeal most? It is important to check what is compulsory and what is flexible before you apply.

We’re here to help. You can find out more in our new University Advisory brochure:
https://issuu.com/hooli.co.uk/docs/slt_s_university_advisory_service?fr=sZGQ4YTg3OTAzODg



Photography by ,

A baseline academic assessment offers invaluable support for a child's preparation for entrance exams and their general learning. If you measure academic ability against a national framework and by date of birth rather than year group, you gain meaningful information about a child’s position within their peer group as well as clear signposting of their learning gaps.

Our new online adaptive assessment provides a vital starting point for our work and roadmap to supporting a child.

Please learn more in our brochure here: https://issuu.com/hooli.co.uk/docs/slt_s_online_adaptive_assesment?fr=sNmFiNTg3OTAzODg



Photography by Millie Pilkington Photography, Sandroyd School

Great to visit .battersea yesterday.

The school’s outdoor space and enrichment facilities are impressive for a London day school, and they are planning on moving the kindergarten on site from September 2026 so that they are all under the same roof.

Their options at both 11+ (mostly day schools) and 13+ (40% day and 60% boarding) give families plenty of choice, depending on what is right for their child.

Please do get in touch with our team if you are seeking guidance on school shortlists and placements.

London is awash with fantastic preps. With so many to choose from, finding the perfect school for your child may feel like an overwhelming process.

We are pleased to list 10 great preps that you should have on your radar: https://www.simplylearningtuition.co.uk/advice-for-parents/great-london-preps-you-should-really-know-about-2026/

Please do get in touch if you are looking for some guidance on finding the best-fit school for your child.

One of our education consultants, Ruby Plumridge, really enjoyed her visit to Kew Green Preparatory School this morning.

The school offers a truly broad and nurturing educational experience, allowing each child to flourish and a lovely sense of confidence was expressed by all pupils. The school also upholds a close-knit community, with one recent highlight being a parent vs staff netball match.

Please do get in touch with our team Simply Learning Tuition if you are seeking guidance on school shortlists and placements.

We always recommend visiting schools and nurseries in person. Our director of client engagement, Alison Melrose, visited the lovely Tadpoles Nursery Kensington this morning, a short walk away from our office.

She was welcomed by children in their smart new uniforms, one group was making tzatziki with fresh mint that had been grown in one of the teachers’ gardens.

Please do get in touch with our team if you are seeking guidance on nursery and school shortlists and placements.