Conversations that dare to examine the purpose of education will generally draw two brushstroke distinctions between historically rival categories: the acquisition of knowledge and the pursuit of new skills.

With 11+ on the horizon, here are some nifty ways to support your child through the process.

It’s mid-February and offers are out. Hopefully the outcomes are good and your child has at least one offer they are happy with.

I battled with essay-writing at Oxford. The expectation of 5000 words a week of watertight, taut prose was daunting. My tutor once told me that I needed to be prepared to accept the etymology of the word ‘essay’.

As AI technology, such as ChatGPT, becomes more advanced, it is being increasingly integrated into the education and mentoring industries.

Just half of all 16 to 19-year-olds study maths. Rishi Sunak’s idea to make maths compulsory to 18 has attracted considerable debate in the past few days.

The first thing I think it’s really important to remember is that an interview is a two-way conversation. Yes, they are asking you questions and trying to determine if you are the right fit for them.

The Orwellian journey starts at reception. “No first names please, just your surname and title.” Do your duty placards line the entrance to the school, after which you pass a cartoon drawing of the headteacher Katherine Birbalsingh sitting alongside Nelson Mandela, Boris Johnson and the Queen.

The Eton admissions process remains somewhat of a mystery to many families who contact Oppidan, but the reality is that the process itself hasn’t changed a great deal since Walter and Henry took it as 11-year-olds in early 2003.

We are delighted to announce Oppidan's new partnership with assessment experts ISEB.

We’ve had Halloween, the clock has changed, we’re back for the second half of this longest of terms and Assessment Season is upon us. Lots of you will be preparing for these and thinking of little else.

Throughout my career, I’ve kept this quote scribbled on a post-it, stuck on my office pinboard, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” accredited to Aristotle.

W. H. Auden’s poem explores our capacity to stop empathising with other people. It displays our striking and harmful potential to disconnect from those around us.

Our admissions expert, Cat Sutherland Hawes, gives us the low down on how to pick the right school for your kids.

This October half-term, Oppidan returns to Villa Lena, a hidden villa tucked away in the Tuscan countryside.

Having Julia on this webinar felt like having a celebrity with us, which is saying something when we’re talking about the 11+ Common Pre Test.

Both long-term, stalwart Oppidan mentors, Ros and Andrew will be spearheading our new offering for Oxbridge and Medical schools admissions.

Georgi recently spoke to Oppidan mentor, James. Have a read of what they spoke about.

Having spent the last sixteen years in admissions I have two golden rules. The first is quite simple – there’s a right place for everyone.

We recently welcomed 21 students to the Oppidan Academy: a free one-week work experience initiative for students aged 15-18, designed to give them an insight into the world of business.