About Sterling Study – DBS‑Checked Online Tutors for GCSE & 11+

Sterling Study

About Us | Sterling Study

PhD Scientists Who Teach

Where Real Science Meets Exceptional Teaching

Most tutoring companies hire graduates. We were built by PhD scientists from UCL and Imperial College London, people who have spent years at the frontier of their fields. That depth shapes every lesson and every outcome.

Led by PhD scientists from Imperial College and UCL, with a specialist team and a transparent, no-contract model. Meet our team

Book Free Assessment →Call 020 8087 2806

✓ PhD-Overseen Tuition

✓ Free Assessment

✓ No Contracts

✓ Free Trial Class

✓ Parent App Tracking

✓ Monthly Progress Tests

Sterling Study's Sports Day 2024

Results Built on Real Expertise

Founded by PhD scientists and driven by data, here is what that means in practice.

600+

Students Enrolled

Active students across all programmes

10000+

Teaching Hours Delivered

PhD-overseen expert tuition since 2020

90%

Grade 6+ at GCSE

Across Maths, English and Science combined

65%

11+ Pass Rate

More than double the national average

Our Story

We Were Tired of Watching Students Get Let Down

It started with a frustration shared by PhD scientists at Imperial College London and UCL. The same pattern kept repeating itself: parents spending significant sums on tutors, placing real trust in them, and those tutors simply not being qualified enough to deliver.

Students were being taught GCSE Biology by tutors who had only studied it to A Level. Children sitting one of the UK's most competitive entrance exams were being prepared by people who had never sat a selective test themselves. And families were being charged premium rates throughout.

"Parents were paying £30, £40, even £50 an hour for tutors who had not truly mastered their subject. Students were losing confidence, falling further behind, and parents had no way of knowing why. That was not acceptable."The Sterling Study Founders

In 2020, Dr Parth Patel and Dr Igors Pupko, PhD scientists from UCL and Imperial College London, founded Sterling Study. Ms Yesha Mukhtiar, a dual-qualified pharmacist, joined as Director shortly after.

Every lesson is grounded in real subject mastery. Progress is tracked, measured, and reported at each stage. More than 10,000 teaching hours later, the founding principle has not changed: every child deserves a tutor who genuinely understands what they are teaching.

Why Sterling is Different

🎓

PhD-Level Expertise

Every tutor subject-vetted and overseen by our PhD team. No exceptions.

💷

Fair, Transparent Pricing

No inflated rates. Expert tuition at honest prices, always.

📊

Data-Driven Progress

Monthly tests and topic analytics so you always know where your child stands.

🔓

No Contracts

Free assessment, free trial class. Cancel at any time, no lock-in.

Find Us

📍

Address88a George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

📞

Phone020 8087 2806

✉️

Emailcontact@sterlingstudy.co.uk

Open in Google Maps →

What Sets Sterling Study Apart

Four pillars that define how we operate and why our results consistently outperform the sector.

🔬

Genuine Subject Mastery

Our PhD founders and subject-vetted tutors have studied to the highest academic level. Students get depth of understanding that goes well beyond the exam syllabus, because their tutors have spent years at the frontier of their field.

📊

Data-Driven Progress Tracking

Every student sits monthly assessments covering all subjects. Results feed into detailed individual reports that pinpoint precisely which topics need attention. Tutors use this data to adapt every lesson. Nothing is left to guesswork. Learn more →

📱

Parent App and Learning Portal

Track progress test scores, view topic-level breakdowns, manage bookings, and communicate directly with tutors through our Sterling mobile app, giving parents full visibility at every stage of their child's learning. Explore the app →

🏆

A Track Record That Speaks

65% 11+ pass rate. 90%+ GCSE Grade 6 across Maths, English and Science. 100% pass rate on our Summer Booster Course. More than 10,000 teaching hours delivered since 2020. These are not estimates; they are outcomes from real students.

What We Stand For

Three Principles Behind Every Lesson

The values that shaped Sterling Study on its first day, and still inform every decision the team makes.

🔬

Expertise Above All

We only teach subjects we have genuinely mastered. Our tutors have studied to the highest academic level, giving students depth of understanding that goes well beyond the exam syllabus.

💷

Fair Pricing, Always

Sterling was founded in direct response to overcharging in the tutoring sector. Expert tuition should be accessible, and we have held to that from day one. No inflated rates, ever.

📈

Results That Are Real

We track and report every student's progress transparently. Monthly progress tests, topic-level analytics and straightforward feedback, because results built on real data are the only kind worth measuring.

Our Team

Meet the People Behind Sterling Study

Two PhD scientist co-founders, a qualified pharmacist Director, and specialist tutors, united by a single mission.

Ms Yesha Mukhtiar

Director

🏛️ Director

BPharmMPharmPharmacist

Yesha leads Sterling Study as Director, ensuring every student experience is seamless and focused on outcomes. As a dual-qualified pharmacist, she oversees the structure and quality that underpins the entire organisation.

Dr Parth Patel

Lead Tutor and Co-Founder

🎓 UCL and Imperial College

BScMSc Multiomics TechnologyPhD Neuroscience

Parth completed his MSc at Imperial College London and PhD in Neuroscience at UCL. His scientific background shapes the Sterling approach: building genuine understanding at depth, not surface-level exam cramming.

Dr Igors Pupko

Lead Tutor and Co-Founder

🎓 UCL, Imperial and Surrey

BScMSc Multiomics TechnologyPhD Genetics

Igors completed his PhD in Genetics at the University of Surrey before working as a Specialist Scientist at UCL. His teaching is evidence-driven and precise, focused on real subject mastery.

Ms Sharin Shaikh

Tutor

📚 Specialist Tutor

Specialist Tutor

Sharin's approachable style and genuine enthusiasm make her a consistent favourite among Sterling students. She is particularly skilled at building the confidence that underpins real academic progress.

Mr Shubham Shah

Company Manager

⚙️ Operations

OperationsManagement

Shubham manages Sterling's day-to-day operations, ensuring every booking, communication and student interaction runs smoothly and professionally behind the scenes.

The Sterling System

How Tuition Works With Us

From your first assessment to results day, our process ensures every child receives the support they need to succeed.

Free Pre-Assessment

A diagnostic test to identify your child's current level, strengths, and gaps before the first lesson. No obligation.

All SubjectsNo ObligationResults Same Day

Free Trial Class

Your child joins a live session matched to their level, experiencing our exam-focused teaching style first-hand. No pressure, no commitment.

Join Weekly Live Classes

Students enrol in regular weekly classes built around their target exam, with content structured and paced to build progressively towards exam day.

11+ GL and CSSEGCSEKS2 SATsA Level

Monthly Progress Tests and Parent Reports

Every student sits a monthly exam. Results feed into a detailed individual report showing exactly where your child stands, which topics need attention, and how they are progressing over time.

Free 1 to 1 Catch-Up Sessions

Students who fall below expected progress in their monthly tests are offered free 1 to 1 sessions to close specific gaps, keeping every child on track for exam day.

Book Your Free Assessment →

What Our Students and Parents Say

Real results from real families.

Google

★★★★★

4.9 out of 5 on Google

★★★★★

"Yug joined Sterling in Year 5 and the difference has been remarkable. His maths in particular has come on leaps and bounds. The monthly progress reports are really clear and it is so reassuring to know exactly where he stands. The teachers clearly know their subjects inside out."

Yug's Father

Yug, Year 5

★★★★★

"Shrey started at Sterling at the beginning of Year 7 and has not looked back. His confidence in English and Science has grown enormously. What I appreciate most is how structured everything is - the assessments, the feedback, the app. You always feel like the team is on top of it."

Shrey's Father

Shrey, Year 7

★★★★★

"Prem is in Year 9 and preparing for his GCSEs. Sterling has given him a real foundation across all three sciences and his maths. The tutors go well beyond the textbook which is exactly what he needed. We have already seen his mock results improve significantly."

Prem's Father

Prem, Year 9

How We Compare

Sterling Study vs The Alternatives

An honest, side-by-side look at what you get from each provider - so you can make the right decision for your child.

Feature	Sterling Study PhD Scientist-Led	Kumon Worksheet-Based	Explore Learning Centre-Based Tutoring
Effective Cost Per Hour	✓ ~£7.50-£9/hr	✗ ~£70/month per subject (2 x 30-min sessions/week)	✗ £114-£149/month (1-2 sessions/week)
Subjects Covered	✓ Maths, English and Science	✗ Maths and English only	✗ Maths and English only
Age Range	✓ Primary through A Level	– Age 2 to pre-university	– Ages 4 to 16 only
Teaching Format	✓ Live taught classes, 4-6 students	✗ Self-study worksheets, instructor facilitates	– Small group, up to 6 students per tutor
Monthly Progress Reports	✓ Detailed individual written reports	✗ No formal written reports	– Progress meetings offered, not monthly reports
Parent App / Portal	✓ Full Sterling app with live score tracking	– Kumon Connect app (launched 2024, limited)	– Member portal for bookings and resources
Free Assessment	✓ Yes, with detailed written report	✓ Free placement test at centre	✓ Free trial session offered
Free Trial Class	✓ Yes, full class, no obligation	✗ No free trial class	✓ Free trial session available
Cancellation Policy	✓ Cancel anytime, no contract	✗ 1 month written notice required (by the 5th)	– Cancel in writing by 23rd of the month
Exam-Specific Preparation	✓ 11+, GCSE, SATs, A Level	– Self-paced curriculum, not exam-structured	– 11+ and SATs prep available, no A Level
1-to-1 Catch-Up Sessions	✓ Free for students who fall behind	✗ Not available	✗ Available at extra cost
Online or In-Person	✓ Online - learn from anywhere in the UK	– In-centre + online hybrid option available	– In-centre + online 1:1 option available

Cost Per Hour✓ ~£7.50-£9/hr

Subjects✓ Maths, English and Science

Age Range✓ Primary through A Level

Teaching Format✓ Live taught classes, 4-6 students

Progress Reports✓ Detailed monthly written reports

Parent App✓ Full app with live tracking

Free Assessment✓ Yes, with written report

Free Trial✓ Yes, full class, no obligation

Cancellation✓ Cancel anytime, no contract

Exam Prep✓ 11+, GCSE, SATs, A Level

1-to-1 Catch-Up✓ Free for students who fall behind

Format✓ Online - learn anywhere in the UK

Monthly Cost✗ ~£70/month per subject

Subjects✗ Maths and English only

Age Range– Age 2 to pre-university

Teaching Format✗ Self-study worksheets

Progress Reports✗ No formal written reports

Parent App– Kumon Connect (limited, 2024)

Free Assessment✓ Free placement test

Free Trial✗ No free trial class

Cancellation✗ 1 month written notice required

Exam Prep– Self-paced, not exam-structured

1-to-1 Catch-Up✗ Not available

Format– In-centre + online hybrid

Monthly Cost✗ £114-£149/month

Subjects✗ Maths and English only

Age Range– Ages 4 to 16 only

Teaching Format– Small group, up to 6 per tutor

Progress Reports– Progress meetings, not monthly reports

Parent Portal– Member portal for bookings

Free Assessment✓ Free trial session

Free Trial✓ Free trial session available

Cancellation– Cancel in writing by 23rd of month

Exam Prep– 11+ and SATs only, no A Level

1-to-1 Catch-Up✗ Available at extra cost

Format– In-centre + online 1:1 option

Start With a Free Assessment →

What We Teach

Explore Our Courses

From KS2 SATs to A Levels, every course is built and overseen by our PhD team.

GCSE

GCSE MathsExplore course →

GCSE

GCSE EnglishExplore course →

GCSE

GCSE ScienceExplore course →

KS3

KS3Explore course →

Entrance Exam

11+ GrammarExplore course →

KS2

SATsExplore course →

All Ages

CodingExplore course →

A Level

A LevelsExplore course →

Expert PhD tuition, cheaper than 90% of tuition providers in the UK

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Or reach us directly

📞

020 8087 2806

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✉️

contact@sterlingstudy.co.uk

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📍

88a George Lane, E18 1JJ, London

Online tuition, learn from anywhere in the UK

What happens next?
After you contact us, we will arrange a free assessment for your child, share a detailed results report, and invite them to a free trial class with no obligation to continue.

Ready to See What Expert Tuition Can Do?

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✓ Free Assessment✓ Free Trial Class✓ No Contracts✓ Cancel Anytime

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