Early education lays the foundation for a child’s entire future. Without quality primary education, gaps in learning, limited critical thinking, and underdeveloped social skills can have lasting effects, making it harder to succeed academically, socially, and professionally. Strong early education builds essential skills like problem-solving, communication, creativity, and resilience, shaping how children face challenges and seize opportunities. Investing in high-quality educational experiences from the start is crucial to unlocking a child’s potential and preparing them for the demands of the future.
Building on this vision, Dr. Ricardo Tavares, Director of Dukes Plus, is transforming how young people experience learning by uniting multiple programmes under a single purpose: to help students explore careers, master 21st-century skills, and realize their full potential. With his support, Dukes Plus has partnered with over 1,500 schools worldwide, touching the lives of tens of thousands of students through initiatives like InvestIN, Summer Boarding Courses, and Ultimate Activity Camps.
Dukes Plus has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Oxbridge Applications – Empowered over 10,000 students to secure offers from Oxford and Cambridge, driving record-breaking success rates.
- InvestIN – Equipped 70,000 future leaders with real-world skills and insights through immersive career experiences across global industries.
- The Medic Portal – Elevated medical school success for students at 80% of the UK’s Top 100 Independent Schools, shaping the next generation of doctors.
- A-List – Achieved a 75% first-choice university acceptance rate for US applicants, delivering outstanding admissions outcomes.
- Summer Boarding Courses – Fostered global connections and academic growth for students from 150+ nationalities, helping them build confidence, develop independence, and gain a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.
- Ultimate Activity Camps – Inspired 20,000 children annually to develop confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of learning through enriching holiday programmes.
Beyond statistics, Dr. Ricardo Tavares cultivates a culture of mentorship and growth, empowering teams and students alike, positioning Dukes Plus as a global hub of opportunity, innovation, and excellence in education.
From Medicine to Holistic Education
Dr. Ricardo Tavares began his journey in education after a decade-long career in medicine, studying at Oxford University and following a family tradition of working as a doctor in the UK. While medicine was fulfilling, he realized the need for a more holistic approach to healthcare–something the traditional system could not fully provide–which prompted him to rethink his career path. After briefly exploring investment banking, he ventured into entrepreneurship by co-founding the ed-tech startup, The Career Portal (TCP), designed to help young people make informed career choices and provide a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for aspiring medics and lawyers worldwide aiming for top global universities.
In 2021, TCP joined the Dukes Education family, reaching over 1,000 school clients and millions of users, and became a central part of Dukes Plus, which Dr. Ricardo Tavares now oversees. Motivated by his experience as a parent, he focuses on unlocking children’s true potential across social, physical, and mental domains, shaping Dukes Plus’ services and vision. By 35, he had successfully navigated three distinct careers, demonstrating the power of diverse, portfolio-style career paths and the lessons learned from embracing change and innovation.
A Culture That Attracts Motivation and Positivity
Dukes Plus is supported by a team of dynamic and motivated individuals. Since the organisation’s focus is on helping young people lead happy and successful lives, it naturally attracts people who embody the same values, creating a positive and inspiring cycle. Leadership, especially the ability to understand oneself to guide others effectively, is a central principle at Dukes Plus and Dukes Education, and this is reflected in the leadership and management programmes offered to staff. The organisation takes pride in promoting from within, as seen in the recent appointments of Rosie Johnstone and Caitlin Brennan as Managing Directors of InvestIN.
InvestIN’s Young Computer Science Experience
Dr. Ricardo Tavares highlights several impactful initiatives at Dukes Plus that directly shape young people’s career paths. One notable example is InvestIN’s Young Computer Science Experience, where students like Juan, an aspiring computer scientist, immerse themselves in the field over one or two weeks.
Participants gain hands-on experience, including:
- Devising a trading app using UI/UX skills
- Programming an educational obstacle-avoidance robot with Python
- Exploring robotics and AI ethics
- Completing a web and app design masterclass using Figma
- Participating in a two-day Game Jam to create their own platformer
- Mentorship from entrepreneurial computer scientists
- Private networking sessions with industry professionals
- Experiencing student life at UCL
Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
Among Dukes Plus’ most impactful initiatives, Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) stand out for their immersive, academically enriching experiences that combine learning with cultural exploration. Take the example of Priya, a 14-year-old student from Asia exploring entrepreneurship at Eton College. Over two weeks, she learns how to start and run a business, applying marketing and branding principles to her project through the ‘Time to Shine’ activity, and gaining practical understanding of financial management and profitability. What makes SBC exceptional is its balance of academic rigor, personal growth, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Priya also presents her start-up idea during the ‘Time to Shine’ ceremony, gaining confidence in public speaking and teamwork. Through these transformative programmes, students develop essential 21st-century skills–critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration–while forming lasting international friendships. This perfectly illustrates Dukes Plus’ commitment to offering immersive, hands-on experiences that empower students to grow intellectually and personally, preparing them for success in school, university, and beyond.
Measurable Impacts
Here’s a closer look at the measurable impact of Dukes Plus across its diverse programmes, illustrating how students, schools, and educators are benefiting from its innovative approach:
| Programme | Key Outcomes |
| Consultancy Brands 1. Oxbridge Applications 2. A-List Education 3. The Medic Portal 4. The Lawyer PortalDukes Tutoring | -Helped more than 10,000 students secure places at Oxford and Cambridge -Increased Oxbridge offers from partner schools by 30% last year -Enabled 75% of US applicants to be accepted at their first-choice universities -Supported 50 UK-based applicants in receiving Ivy League offers -Assisted 98% of Medic Portal applicants to receive at least one offer in Medicine or Dentistry -Worked directly with over 80% of the UK’s top independent schools |
InvestIN:
- Provided over 70,000 students worldwide with immersive experiences in their dream careers
- Programs designed and delivered by over 1,000 accomplished professionals
- 2,600+ students attended summer schools in London in 2025 (300+ more than previous year)
- 95% of students would recommend InvestIN
- 90% felt knowledgeable about their chosen career
- 83% felt confident about achieving career goals
- 80% said the programme helped them decide their career path
- Two-thirds gained necessary career skills
- 78% referenced InvestIN in university applications
- Three-quarters received a place at their first-choice university
Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
- Welcomed students from 155 nationalities
- Achieved 15/15 areas of strength in British Council inspection
- Received a 4.8 TrustPilot score
- Students from 1,000+ schools attended in Summer 2025
Ultimate Activity Camps
- Children fired 130,000+ arrows
- Recruitment team reviewed 6,274 applications, hiring 1,074 candidates
- Received a 4.7 rating on Feefo
- Responded to 17,187 parent emails and 6,257 calls
Partnering with 1,500+ Schools Worldwide
Dukes Plus works with over 1,500 schools worldwide that are not part of Dukes Education. The organization is trusted by some of the highest-performing schools globally, including Eton College, Harrow School, and Westminster School. One of its brands supports over 80% of the UK’s top independent schools, helping aspiring medical students achieve their goals.
Overall, Dukes Plus offers reliable, high-quality services to schools looking to enhance or outsource their career guidance. This includes in-house courses for various university entrance tests (such as UCAT, TSA, SAT/ACT) as well as personalized one-on-one support for students applying to universities in the US, Oxbridge, the Russell Group, or EU institutions.
Accredited Guidance for School College Counsellors
Dukes Plus gives Dukes Education schools a clear advantage by offering world-class career support and experiences, fully integrated into the curriculum. One notable initiative is the Dukes Career School, which guided 1,000 students through an annual programme focused on preparing them for the future of work. The programme concludes with a graduate recruitment–style assessment day, where students are challenged across multiple competencies and gain personalized insights into their skills and career options. Dukes Plus is also launching the Dukes Plus Online Careers Institute, a year-round programme featuring university talks, workshops on employability and soft skills, and an accreditation programme for school college counsellors, ensuring students receive exceptional guidance for higher education and career planning.
A Team Succeeds When Its Members Are Empowered
Dr. Ricardo Tavares believes a team succeeds when members are trusted and empowered. He focuses on psychological safety, allowing people to feel supported while taking responsibility and growing.
His approach:
- Nurtures future leaders through mentoring and collaboration
- Champions internal promotion to boost motivation and loyalty
- Provides coaching and responsibilities that build confidence
Explore Opportunities That Inspire
Dr. Ricardo Tavares believes in the power of passion, emphasizing that spending years in a career that doesn’t inspire you can be draining. He encourages staying curious, exploring opportunities that align with personal interests, and having the courage to take bold steps. He also stresses the importance of thinking long-term by continuously upskilling throughout one’s life, especially as the pace of change accelerates. Additionally, he highlights the need for self-development, noting that the digital world has altered human behavior and brain development, contributing to trends like short attention spans and constant connectivity. By practicing self-regulation, managing stress, and cultivating self-awareness, individuals can fully harness the power of emotional intelligence.
Future-Ready Students
Dr. Ricardo Tavares says the future of education is being shaped by rapid technological change and evolving career demands. By 2030, the World Economic Forum predicts 97 million new jobs will emerge at the intersection of humans, machines, and algorithms. Success in this landscape will rely on strong digital skills, emotional intelligence, cross-cultural understanding, and a commitment to lifelong learning. With the concept of a 100-year life becoming a reality, young people will need flexibility and adaptability to navigate multiple career paths. Dukes Plus prepares students for this future through diverse programs that build academic foundations, resilience, and essential skills, ensuring they are ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.
8.4 Out of 10 Rating
Success at Dukes Plus is measured through multiple indicators, including student growth, program effectiveness, and client satisfaction. For example, 95% of students said they would recommend InvestIN, and the overall student feedback score reached 8.4 out of 10, the highest rating the programme has ever achieved.
Finalist in T4 Education’s Global EdTech Prize 2025
Dukes Plus has been gaining significant recognition for its work. In 2025, the organization was named a finalist in T4 Education’s Global EdTech Prize, Majors Category, and was also shortlisted for Digital Innovation of the Year in the PIEoneer25 Awards. Additionally, Dr. Ricardo Tavares was honored by being shortlisted and highly commended in the PIEoneer Awards 25 Emerging Leader of the Year EMEA.
Media Features
Media Coverage of Dr. Tavares & Dukes Plus:
- The PIE News—Five Minutes with Ricardo Tavares, Dukes Plus: An insightful interview published on March 5, 2025, where Dr. Tavares discusses his role as Director of Dukes Plus, emphasizing the organization’s mission to empower young people through transformative educational experiences.
- FOCUS Magazine – Autumn 2024 Edition: Dukes Plus was featured in the Autumn 2024 issue of FOCUS Magazine, highlighting the company’s initiatives and contributions to the educational sector.
Dr. Ricardo Tavare’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Invest in Potential: Early education shapes the future; prioritize programs that build critical thinking, creativity, and resilience.
- Empower Through Mentorship: Trust and guide your team; nurture growth, leadership, and collaboration.
- Stay Curious and Bold: Explore new opportunities, embrace change, and take calculated risks.
- Think Long-Term: Continuously upskill, adapt to evolving trends, and plan for the future.
- Lead with Purpose: Align every initiative with a meaningful vision that inspires students and staff.
