The Clara James Approach to learning

Who Are You?I've had a song going around in my head recently — Who Are You by The Who.And bizarrely, I've realised it sums up rather well something I've been thinking about with the Clara James franchise.I was on a networking call recently and we got talking about confidence. Particularly that feeling of “Who am I to do this?”Maybe you've been out of the workplace for a few years bringing up children. Maybe you've spent your whole career doing something completely different. Or perhaps you're an experienced teacher, but the thought of actually running a business is terrifying.And it made me think...Who are you?Because that's actually what I want to know when somebody joins Clara James.I don't want to take you and squeeze you into my idea of what a franchisee should look like.I want to know what you're good at. What you're frightened of. What experience you're bringing with you. What you need help with. And what you're actually hoping to achieve.Because that's exactly what we do with children.The Clara James Approach isn't about looking at a child's age, diagnosis or attainment level and deciding we already know how they should learn.We get to know the child sitting in front of us.Then we adapt.And I'm beginning to realise that if I genuinely believe in that philosophy, it can't stop with the children we tutor.It has to run through the whole business.One franchisee might need lots of support with marketing. Another might need help with SEND. Someone else might know exactly how they want to grow their business but need somebody beside them giving them the confidence to actually do it.There will obviously be standards and systems within Clara James. That's part of what joining a franchise gives you.But within those foundations, I want people to remain themselves.So perhaps before we start asking, “What do you need to do?”, we should ask a much more important question:Who are you?Because once I know that, I can start helping you work out where you want to go next.And if you're listening to this thinking, “Actually, I'm not quite sure who I am in this next chapter yet”, that's okay too because I think that relates to a lot of us.And perhaps that's where the conversation starts.

When I started tutoring fourteen and a half years ago, I certainly didn’t imagine that one day I would be running a tutoring business with a team of tutors, developing a franchise and thinking quite so deeply about what makes somebody good at this job.Over those years, I’ve worked with a lot of children, spoken to a lot of parents and worked alongside a lot of tutors.And one thing I have become increasingly convinced of is this:Knowing a subject doesn’t automatically make somebody a great tutor.Of course, subject knowledge matters. If you are helping a child with algebra, you need to understand algebra. If you’re supporting a GCSE student with Macbeth, you need to know the text.But tutoring is about what happens when that knowledge meets the individual child sitting in front of you.And that requires something more.

I've spoken to a few people who would like to get into tutoring but fear the lack of work over the summer holidays.There are families who want/need the support because their child needs the routine, or they don't want their child to forget what they had been learning prior to the break, or it helps ease the anxiety of going back to school in September. The goal is to use the right # to find those families - often home-ed or SEND families.You can also do summer workshops which then also help to raise awareness of what you offer and increase your income during September onwards.In this episode I mention that I am starting a Facebook community where if you are considering becoming a tutor or are growing a tutoring business, it will provide a place for you to ask questions so that as a group we can work together and help you to grow.To join us there, the link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1735495497655588/(Or if you want more structured support please do drop me a line and we can have a chat: [email protected])

I've committed to finding my first three Clara James franchisees.And I've been thinking a lot about what I'm actually looking for in those three people.Yes, there are practical things.They need to want to build a tutoring business. They need to share the values behind Clara James. They need to care about doing a good job.But there's something else that, to me, matters enormously.I want them to be able to create a space where a child feels completely safe saying:"I don't understand."And then, perhaps even more importantly:"I still don't understand."Because that's actually quite a difficult thing to say."Just ask if you don't understand"As adults, we say this to children all the time."If you don't understand, just ask your teacher."And it sounds perfectly reasonable.But I've been thinking about what we're actually asking that child to do.Imagine you're at work.Your boss has spent half an hour explaining something to you.Everyone else appears to understand it.You don't.Would you feel completely comfortable putting your hand up and saying:"Sorry, I don't understand any of that. Could you explain it again?"Some of us would.But I suspect quite a few of us would smile, nod and hope we could work it out later.Now imagine you do have the confidence to ask.Your boss explains it again.And you still don't understand.How easy would it be to say:"I'm really sorry, but that still doesn't make sense to me. Could you explain it again?"And what about the third time?That's effectively what we're asking children to do.Except they're doing it in front of their peers.And they're potentially doing it in an environment where they've already started to believe that everyone else is cleverer than they are.I can relate to that childI think one of the reasons this matters so much to me is that I can empathise with that feeling.I've been the person who hasn't necessarily understood something the first time it's been explained.I've known what it feels like to lack confidence in my own ability.I've known what it feels like to compare myself with people around me and wonder whether they're simply cleverer than I am.I was lucky.I had people who could explain things to me differently.Not necessarily explain the same thing louder or repeat exactly the same words again.Actually find another way of helping me understand.And there's a huge difference between those two things.Because if someone explains something to you three times in exactly the same way and you still don't understand, you can very quickly start thinking:"There must be something wrong with me."But perhaps there isn't.Perhaps you simply need another explanation.Another example.Something visual.A conversation.A game.Something practical.More time.Or someone who says:"That's fine. Let's try this another way."That's the tutor I'm looking forThat's what I want from the people who eventually become Clara James tutors and franchisees.I'm not looking for somebody who simply knows maths or English.I'm looking for people who can create that safe space.People who don't make a child feel silly because they didn't understand something the first time.Or the second.Or the third.People who are willing to stop and think:"The child isn't understanding this. What can I change?"And there are probably lots of reasons somebody might naturally think that way.Maybe you struggled yourself at school.Maybe you've watched your own child struggle.Maybe you've worked in a classroom and seen the child who desperately needs another explanation but there simply isn't enough time to give them the individual attention they need.Maybe you've been the adult sitting in a meeting pretending you understand something because you don't have the confidence to admit that you haven't got a clue what's going on.You don't necessarily need to have lived the child's exact experience.But you do need to have the compassion to recognise what that experience might feel like.I'm not looking for 100 franchiseesOne day, I'd love Clara James to reach a lot of communities.I'd love hundreds, perhaps thousands, more children to benefit from the approach we've developed over the past 14 years.But that's not what I'm concentrating on right now.Right now, I'm looking for three people.My first three franchisees.Three people who want to build high-quality local tutoring businesses.Three people who believe children are individuals.Three people who are prepared to adapt rather than expecting every child to adapt to them.Three people who understand that progress isn't simply about getting a child from a 4 to a 6, or improving a test score.Sometimes progress starts when a child who has spent years thinking:"I'm stupid."finally feels safe enough to say:"I don't understand."And knows the response isn't going to be frustration or judgement.It's going to be:"That's absolutely fine. Let's find another way."That's what I want Clara James to becomeI want children to have the opportunity to become the best version of themselves that they can be.Not the best version of the child sitting next to them.Not their brother.Not their sister.Not the person who understands everything the first time.Them.And I want to build a community of tutors who can help them do that.So yes, I'm looking for my first three Clara James franchisees.But I'm not simply looking for three people who want to own a tutoring business.I'm looking for three people who want to become the person a child feels safe saying, "I still don't understand," to.If you think you might be one of them, I'd love to have a conversation.No pressure. No expectation.Just tell me a little about you, why this resonates with you and what you'd like your tutoring business to [email protected]

On 4th November last year I unexpectedly lost my mum. In that moment I decided I was going to be proactive and do something that would make her (and hopefully my kids) proud of me and would become my legacy.For years I had spoken about franchising the business, but I always put it off until tomorrow. But with the help of Leona, my mentor, it is becoming my reality. I've grown in confidence in myself and the franchise and the knowledge that it could help so many more children if I push myself and make this a reality.So... I have set myself a target of getting my first 3 franchisees in the next 90 days. Will it happen? Who knows, but what I do know is that I am going to go all in and do my best to make it happen.If you are interested in learning more, having a chat, or know someone else that might be, please do get in touch: [email protected] 

When we first start tutoring, most of us say yes to everything.One more lesson. One more family. One more evening. One more Saturday morning.After all, we became tutors because we want to help.But over time, without clear boundaries, the business we love can slowly begin to take over our lives.In this episode, I share some of the lessons I've learned over the past 14 years about setting boundaries as a tutor, including:• Deciding how many students you're willing to support before your diary fills up• Managing cancellations whilst remaining compassionate• Why payment policies matter• The hidden dangers of being "too flexible"• How boundaries can actually make you a better tutorMost importantly, we'll explore why being helpful and being professional are not opposites.Tutoring is one of the most rewarding careers I know, but if you want to enjoy it for years rather than months, boundaries matter.If you're considering becoming a tutor yourself, I also have a few free copies left of my book, Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives.It's the book I wish someone had given me when I first started and contains many of the lessons I've learned along the way.If you'd like a copy, simply email me at [email protected] with your postal address and I'll happily pop one in the post for you.I hope you enjoy the episode.

One of the questions I'm asked most often by parents is:"They understood it yesterday... so why have they forgotten it today?"It can feel frustrating.As parents, we naturally wonder whether they were concentrating, whether they were just guessing the answers the day before, or whether everything has simply disappeared overnight.But very often, I don't think they've forgotten it at all.I think they're struggling to find it.In this episode, I explore why learning isn't always a straight line and why forgetting doesn't necessarily mean a child hasn't learned.Sometimes new information is still fragile.It hasn't had enough opportunities to become secure.Other times, the information is there, but the child needs a different route to help them retrieve it.That's why simply repeating exactly the same worksheet over and over again isn't always the most effective approach.Instead, we can revisit the same idea in different ways.Perhaps it's a discussion.Or a mind map.Perhaps it's a practical activity.A YouTube clip.A board game.A real-life example.Every new approach gives the brain another opportunity to understand the concept from a slightly different angle.Gradually, those connections become stronger.One of the reasons we use so many games at Clara James Tutoring is because games naturally combine lots of different ways of learning.Children are talking.They're listening.They're looking.They're moving.They're making decisions.They're often laughing.All of those experiences help create multiple connections with the learning.There's another advantage too.If I was to ask a child to complete the same worksheet twice, I'd probably get a questioning sigh.Why would they want to do it again. It wouldn't make sense!But if I lose a board game...I'll probably say,"Best of three?"The learning is exactly the same.The experience feels completely different.Games encourage children to revisit skills again and again without it feeling repetitive.Of course, every child is different.Some children love games.Others prefer more structured activities.The important thing isn't the game itself.It's recognising that learning often becomes stronger when we approach it from different directions rather than simply repeating exactly the same thing.And perhaps that's one of the biggest misconceptions about learning.Progress doesn't always come from doing more.Sometimes it comes from understanding differently.In this episode we discuss: Why children don't always forget as much as we think they have.  The difference between learning something and being able to retrieve it.  Why revisiting topics from different angles strengthens understanding.  How games create opportunities for repetition without boredom.  Why confidence grows as understanding becomes more secure.  How making learning enjoyable often leads to greater participation and better long-term progress. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.Whether you're supporting your own child at home or you're a tutor looking for fresh ways to build confidence alongside knowledge, I'd love to continue the conversation.Because every child deserves to be seen.

When I first started tutoring I had so many voices inside my head telling me I was a fraud and that I shouldn't be doing this. For years, I dreaded going to a new family because I was sure that this was the family who was going to discover I wasn't actually a very good tutor. And no one ever said it, only me and my self doubt.Slowly over time you start to notice that when people are commenting about you it's with love and warmth and kindness. They are sharing your name because they have appreciated what you have done for their children, their family.And that voice inside your head starts to fade.Then, recently I got braver and I started to tell people that I wanted to franchise the business. People congratulated me on the idea, they asked me why I wouldn't do it. And the more I opened up to the positive words I was hearing the more confident I felt and the more I started talking about it. About our ethos that we should be working with the child sat in front of us in that moment - not the syllabus, the lesson plan, their label. Them as an individual.What, I am trying to say is if you are considering becoming a tutor and you too are hearing those negative voices of doubt, please remember that they only exist in your own head. Please do give it a go because you could change a child's life, or even the lives of many, many children and that is something you should always hold your head up and be proud of.So, good luck. I wish you well on your journey and if you want a chat or have any questions, please do ask. I am always ready to help:[email protected]

If I wanted to start tutoring now, what would I need to know?The legal bit, I guess.I think this is possibly the bit that stops people from getting started in becoming tutors in case they get it wrong or just don't do something and then they find themselves in trouble.They are confident with working with children but the legal side of it is a whole new ball game and it seems terrifying!So, in this podcast I chatter on about what I deem to be the most important bits and how I do it. You might embrace my ideas or ignore them. The choice is your but hopefully it will give you something to consider.So, if you've ever thought about becoming a tutor, or you're already tutoring and would like a bit of support to grow, please do get in touch.Whether that's a free copy of my book, our new tutor membership group, some 1:1 support, or simply a conversation about where to start, I'd be delighted to help if I can.

Sometimes, when a child is struggling at school, the first assumption we make is that the problem lies with the child.Perhaps they're not trying hard enough.Perhaps they're not naturally academic.Perhaps they just need to work a little harder.But what if we've been asking the wrong question all along?In this episode, I explore one of the beliefs I'm probably most passionate about.That sometimes the problem isn't the child at all.Instead of immediately asking, "What's wrong with this child?", perhaps we should pause and ask a different question:"Is the environment, the teaching method or the pace actually allowing this child to learn in the way that works best for them?"Education has traditionally been built around systems that expect large groups of children to move along the same path, at the same pace and often in the same way.For many children, that works perfectly well.For many others, it doesn't.That doesn't mean those children are incapable.It simply means the route they're being asked to follow isn't the right one for them.During the episode, I share a conversation with one of my students who made an observation that's stayed with me ever since.She suggested that perhaps children should be grouped according to how they learn rather than how they perform.At first, it sounds like a simple idea.But the more I thought about it, the more profound it became.Imagine classrooms where discussion-based learners could learn through discussion.Where practical learners could learn by doing.Where children who need more movement, more structure or a different pace weren't constantly comparing themselves to a system that wasn't designed around them.How many more children would discover that they are capable after all?This isn't about criticising schools or teachers.Far from it.Teachers work incredibly hard within a system that has developed over many generations.Instead, it's about recognising that every child arrives with their own strengths, experiences and learning preferences.If we continue expecting every child to travel exactly the same road, we shouldn't be surprised when some of them begin to believe they're the problem.At Clara James Tutoring, we've gradually come to see our role differently.Rather than expecting children to fit the path we've already created, we try to understand the child first.Who are they?How do they learn?What gives them confidence?What has their educational journey looked like so far?Only then do we begin planning the route ahead.Because every child deserves their own path.Some children will run.Some will walk.Some will stop for a while before continuing.Others may take a completely different route to reach exactly the same destination.And that's okay.Perhaps success isn't about getting every child to travel the same road.Perhaps it's about helping every child find the road that allows them to flourish.In this episode we discuss: Why struggling doesn't always mean the child is the problem.  The difference between ability and learning style.  Why one-size-fits-all education doesn't work for every child.  A conversation with one student that completely changed the way I think about education.  Why confidence and reassurance often come before academic progress.  How creating an individual learning journey can help children achieve goals they once thought were impossible. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.Whether you're a parent looking for support, a tutor who shares this philosophy, or someone who's simply passionate about helping children reach their potential, I'd love to continue the conversation.Because I truly believe...Every child deserves to be seen.

Is It Really Laziness... Or Is Something Else Going On?"They're just being lazy."It's a phrase many parents, teachers and tutors have heard.Sometimes we've even said it ourselves.But what if what looks like laziness isn't laziness at all?In this episode, I explore one of the biggest misconceptions I come across when supporting children.Very often, what appears to be laziness is actually something much deeper.It might be fear.It might be confusion.It might be frustration after repeated setbacks.It might be anxiety.It might be a lack of confidence.Or it might simply be that the child has stopped believing they're capable of succeeding.When children repeatedly experience failure, many develop ways of protecting themselves.Sometimes that means avoiding the task altogether.Sometimes it means appearing uninterested.Sometimes it means saying they don't care.Because, emotionally, it's often easier to look lazy than it is to risk feeling incapable.During the episode, I share one of my own memories from school.I remember taking a piece of work to my teacher, only to be told I'd spelt a word incorrectly and needed to do it again.I corrected it as best I could and proudly took it back.Again, it was wrong.Again, I was sent away.The problem wasn't that I didn't want to learn.The problem was that nobody had given me the piece of understanding I actually needed.I wasn't refusing to learn.I simply didn't know how.Looking back now, I often wonder how many children experience exactly the same thing.They're expected to improve, but nobody has identified the missing piece that would allow them to succeed.It's one of the reasons I believe behaviour is often a form of communication.Instead of asking,"Why won't they do it?"perhaps we should ask,"What is this behaviour trying to tell me?"Because focus isn't just about concentration.It's influenced by confidence.By tiredness.By anxiety.By neurodiversity.By the learning environment.And by the child's previous experiences.When we begin to understand the reason behind the behaviour, we're in a much stronger position to support the child rather than simply reacting to what we see on the surface.At Clara James Tutoring, we believe that understanding always comes before judgement.Because once we understand why a child is struggling, we can begin helping them move forwards.In this episode we discuss: Why "laziness" is often a symptom rather than the real problem.  How fear, confusion and frustration can affect motivation.  A personal story from my own school days that shaped the way I teach today.  Why behaviour is often a form of communication.  The relationship between confidence, focus and learning.  How understanding the child helps us provide the right support. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.Whether you're a parent trying to understand your child's behaviour, a tutor wanting to support children more effectively, or someone who believes learning should begin with understanding rather than assumptions, I'd love to continue the conversation.Because every child deserves to be seen.

Over the years I have paid for mentors, attended numerous courses and read hundreds of books about how to market my business. Some of the ideas have been gold dust. Some have just been just been wrong for my personality type and the business I want to build.I've done things which have worked: I have a website, created fliers, written a book (or two), but have cost time and money.I have also done other things which were easier and it is those I talk about in this podcast. Some of them I have spoken about before but I hope you still find your nugget of gold in here.I talk about how I use Facebook to offer help and write stories/memories from my experience as a mum, tutor, student (rather than just shouting that I am here to help).I mention the car magnets that I had on the side of my car that must be responsible for leads which have generated thousands over the years.Tutoring for charity gave be credibility and got me on the local radio. Then finally our starter packs that we give in our first lesson with each child) and how we offer the first lesson free.The book I wrote: Become a Tutor: Build Confidence. Change lives offers answers to the questions that I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a copy (completely free, a gift from me to you). Let me know and I will pop a copy in the post for you ([email protected])I wish you loads of luck on your journey as a tutor

"I hate maths."It's a sentence many parents hear.Sometimes it's English.Sometimes it's science.Sometimes it's school altogether.Our instinct is often to reassure them."But you don't hate maths.""It's not that difficult.""You just need to practise."Or perhaps we encourage them to keep going because we know how important education is.But what if those four little words aren't really about maths at all?In this episode, I explore one of the biggest misconceptions I see as a tutor.Children rarely hate a subject.More often, they hate how that subject makes them feel.When a child says,"I hate maths,"they may actually be saying:"Maths makes me feel stupid.""I'm frightened of getting it wrong.""Everyone else seems to understand it except me.""I'm embarrassed.""I've stopped believing I can do it."Those are very different conversations.If we only respond to the words, we risk missing the emotion underneath them.Because learning is never just an academic experience.It's an emotional one too.Repeated confusion.Repeated failure.Repeated comparison.Those experiences slowly shape how children see themselves.Eventually, they stop saying,"I don't understand fractions."and start saying,"I'm just rubbish at maths."One of my favourite ways of thinking about this is through something much simpler.Imagine someone tells you,"I hate sweetcorn."Would you respond by listing all the reasons sweetcorn is wonderful?Probably not.You'd recognise that they're describing their own experience.Learning is no different.Two children can sit in exactly the same classroom, hear exactly the same explanation and leave with completely different emotions.One feels excited.The other feels defeated.Neither feeling is wrong.They're simply different experiences.That's why I believe confidence comes before curriculum.Before we can expect children to tackle increasingly difficult work, we first need to help them feel safe enough to have a go.Because confidence creates something incredibly powerful.Confidence leads to willingness.Willingness leads to practice.Practice leads to understanding.Understanding builds confidence.And suddenly the cycle begins working in the child's favour instead of against them.Perhaps improving maths isn't always about teaching more maths.Perhaps it's about helping children believe they can learn maths in the first place.When we start with the child instead of the curriculum, everything begins to change.In this episode we explore: Why children rarely hate the subject itself.  The emotions hidden behind the words, "I hate maths." Why emotional experiences often shape learning more than academic ones.  How confidence and willingness create a positive cycle of learning.  Practical ways parents can respond differently when children become frustrated with school. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.Whether you're supporting a child who's lost confidence, looking for a tutor, or you're a tutor who believes learning starts with understanding the child rather than simply delivering the curriculum, I'd love to continue the conversation.Because every child deserves to be seen.

When I first decided to franchise the business it was about sharing our systems and resources, but I felt misaligned with it. It felt like I'd got the paint out of the cupboard, but not yet painted the picture. Gradually I realised that actually it is our ethos that is more important. Our philosophy. We don't just talk about supporting SEND children, we start with the child in front of us and start with them, not generally but that child in that moment. A label (or lack of label) gives us a starting point, but it doesn't tell us everything, because we are all truly unique.The franchise is actually for those who want to become part of something stronger than branding and systems, and resources. It is those who feel aligned and genuinely want to make a difference to the lives of each individual child that we work with.If this sounds like you and you want to have a chat or learn more about our ethos, please do get in touch at [email protected]

I think that when we start tutoring one of our biggest assets that we often over look is our ability to build relationships. Personally, I think this is so much more powerful that any marketing could ever be.It starts long before we start working with the child, just proving that we are here to help and genuinely care.Then as we move forward grow that rapport so that the child knows that if they have a question they can ask if they need to. If they don't understand something they can ask and not fear ridicule. Building that relationship with the parents is also vital as they are the ones who are inviting you into their child's life to build their knowledge, their confidence, to help them to achieve their dreams.But also, by getting to know them and building that relationship will increase the likelihood of them recommending you forwards, because they like you, you're more than "just a tutor". Or, if money is tight and something needs to give, they will be less inclined to get rid of you first, because they care about you.I think I realised how much people genuinely cared and didn't just see me as the tutor was last November when mum unexpectedly died, the love I felt was completely unexpected and it meant the world.So, please as you step into the world or tutoring or travel further into it, never underestimate the power of the relationships that you build.One last point. I think this is also the superpower of many teaching assistants, because they work every day with a small group of children or may be even 1:1 working with a child and getting to know them becomes second nature and a strength that they can build on as they go forward.I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. It answers the questions that I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected] and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you

Homework is a battle in many (may be most) households and I don't think it's about laziness, I think it's more emotional than that. Kids are often tired at the end of the day and their motivation is done. But they have to come home and start again and it just (in their minds) feels unfair.I think the biggest thing we can do to help is to be there to support them, rather than to pressure them and to find out what works for them; some kids like quiet, some like noise and movement around them, some like to sit at a table, some like to lay on their bed or the floor.If we can work with them, we can hopefully help to remove some of the friction and make it much less of a painful experience

There comes a point in many businesses where you have a choice.You can continue doing what you've always done.Or you can listen to that quiet feeling telling you there might be something bigger you're meant to build.In this episode, I reflect on what that feeling has looked like for me.When I first started Clara James Tutoring, my ambitions were actually very simple.I was going through a divorce, raising young children and, if I'm completely honest, my dream was simply to be able to afford to take them on holiday each year.Growing up, holidays were some of my happiest memories. They weren't about luxury; they were about spending time together as a family. I wanted my children to have those same memories.Back then, growing the business was about creating enough stability to make that possible.As the years passed, something changed.Not overnight.Gradually.The more families I worked with, the more tutors joined the team and the more children we were able to support, the more I realised this business was never really about me.It had become about something much bigger.I started to realise that what mattered most wasn't the worksheets we'd created or the systems we'd developed.It was the philosophy behind everything we did.At Clara James, we don't begin with the curriculum.We begin with the child.Every child arrives having travelled their own educational journey.Some have had wonderful experiences.Others have slowly lost confidence along the way.Some need help understanding a topic.Others need someone to help them believe they're capable of understanding it in the first place.Our role isn't simply to move children towards a grade.It's to meet them where they are, understand their journey and walk alongside them as they move towards where they want to be.Over the past few weeks, I've finally found the words for something I've believed for years.Every child deserves to be seen.We see the child before the subject.Confidence comes before curriculum.Those aren't marketing slogans.They're the principles that shape every decision we make.Sharing those beliefs publicly has been surprisingly uncomfortable.Whenever you put your opinions into the world, there's always the possibility that someone will disagree.Sometimes they do.And that's okay.Because if we try to avoid criticism by keeping our beliefs small, we often end up shrinking our vision too.For me, this isn't about creating a bigger business for the sake of growth.It's about creating a deeper impact.It's about helping more children feel understood.It's about supporting tutors who share those same values.It's about continuing the legacy of kindness and belief that my parents lived every day of their lives.One day, I hope Clara James reaches communities right across the UK.Perhaps, one day, even further.Not because I want my name to be bigger.But because I want more children to experience what happens when someone genuinely sees them, believes in them and helps them find a path that works for them.Sometimes what looks like ambition from the outside......is actually alignment on the inside.Sometimes you're not chasing something bigger.You're simply becoming brave enough to build the thing you always felt called to create.If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.Whether you're a parent looking for support for your child, or someone who believes tutoring should begin with the child rather than the curriculum, please do get in touch.I'd love to continue the conversation.Have a great week, and if you have any questions at all, please do give me a shout.

In this episode, I share my journey into supporting neurodiverse children and how it all began with a concern about my own daughter over 20 years ago.After being told by a school that dyslexia was simply "an excuse for laziness", I became determined to learn everything I could about how children learn differently. Since then, I have worked in mainstream schools, autism provision, early years settings, and tutoring, supporting children with a wide range of learning needs.In this podcast, I discuss:• Why I believe it is important to work with the child sitting in front of us rather than focusing on labels and diagnoses.• How my experiences in very different educational environments shaped my understanding of neurodiversity.• Why worksheets alone are rarely enough and how using a variety of resources can help children create multiple pathways to learning.• The importance of adapting our approach to suit each child's strengths, interests, and individual needs.• Why some behaviour difficulties may be a sign that the environment isn't working for the child rather than the child being the problem.Most of all, I share the philosophy that has shaped Clara James Tutoring from the very beginning: every child learns differently, and our job is to find the approach that works for them.If you would like a free copy of my book, Square Pegs & Round Holes: Supporting Every Child's Education, simply email me at [email protected] with your postal address and I'll happily pop one in the post for you.I hope you enjoy the episode.

I think the short answer is that confusion, comparison, pressure or misunderstanding can take even very capable children start to doubt themselves. Over time the story in their mind changes from "I can't do this yet" to "I'm just not that clever".I think often what also happens is that they don't like to celebrate their results with their peers, because they don't want to "brag" which means they are not celebrated in the same way that others are, again adding to that internal feeling of self doubt.But sometimes a different way of explaining something and giving them a place to celebrate their wins, will help them to completely rewrite their story

Every Child Is Already on a Journey – Our Job Is to Meet Them Where They AreWhen a child walks through our door for their first tutoring lesson, they aren't starting their educational journey.They're joining us somewhere along the way.For some children, that journey has been fairly smooth. They've enjoyed school, built confidence along the way and simply need a little extra support to reach their next goal.For others, the path has been much more challenging.Perhaps they've struggled to understand a concept that everyone else seemed to grasp.Perhaps they've begun to believe they're "just not good at maths" or "can't do English."Perhaps anxiety has started to creep in, making every lesson feel harder than the last.By the time we meet them, that journey has already shaped the way they see themselves.I think this is where tutoring sometimes gets it wrong.It's easy to focus on the destination."What grade are we aiming for?""What topics do we need to cover?""What exam do they need to prepare for?"Those questions matter.But I don't think they should be the first questions we ask.Instead, I believe we should start somewhere much simpler.Who is this child?What are their strengths?What do they enjoy?How do they learn best?What has happened on their journey to bring them to this point?Because sometimes the biggest barrier isn't a lack of knowledge.It's a lack of confidence.Sometimes the foundations of learning have slowly begun to crumble.Not because the child isn't capable, but because somewhere along the line they've stopped believing they are.Before we can help them move forwards, we sometimes need to rebuild those foundations.That might mean revisiting topics they should have understood years ago.It might mean changing our teaching style.It might mean slowing down, taking a different route, or simply giving them the time and encouragement they've never had before.Every child's journey looks different.One child might be working towards a Grade 3 GCSE and another towards a Grade 9.One might need just a few gentle nudges.Another may need us to help rebuild years of lost confidence.Neither journey is more important than the other.Success isn't about comparing one child with another.It's about helping each child travel further than they thought possible.At Clara James Tutoring, we don't expect every child to follow the same path.We meet every child where they are.Then we walk alongside them, one step at a time, helping them move towards where they want to be.Because every child deserves to be seen.Not just for the grades they achieve.But for the individual they are.Could This Be the Way You'd Like to Tutor?If you've found yourself nodding as you've listened to this, perhaps it's because you already believe the same things we do.Maybe you've always felt that tutoring should be about more than worksheets, grades and exam techniques.Maybe you believe that confidence comes before curriculum.That every child deserves to be seen.That our role isn't to squeeze every child into the same mould, but to meet them where they are and help them become the very best version of themselves.If that's you, I'd love to have a conversation.I'm currently building the Clara James franchise for people who believe that tutoring starts with the child, not the curriculum.It's not about following a script.It's about becoming part of a community that shares the same values and wants to make a genuine difference to children's lives.If you'd like to know more, or even if you're simply curious about what we're building, please do get in touch.I'd love to hear your story.📧 [email protected]

If your child is consistently anxious, resistant, stuck, falling behind, or beginning to lose confidence it is worth paying attention. Support doesn't need to wait until it's a crisis, but I think ultimately follow your gut instinct as a parent

Sometimes being bright and finding learning difficult aren't opposites. A child can be intelligent, thoughtful, kind and full of potential, but still struggle if the teaching style, pace or environment does not work for them.And sometimes you or someone else explaining it differently is the key to success that they need

When I sat down to record this I hadn't intended to talk you out of tutoring and that is not my goal, but after a conversation in a Facebook Group the other day it became evident of how many people are selling "the dream" the false elution that tutoring can take place anywhere in the world and can earn you tens of thousands of pounds each month.But like with most things that are worth having, it's hard work. There will be tears of joy, tears of devastation. People will question you, you will question yourself.But if you persevere and keep going, tutoring will offer you one of the most rewarding experiences, one of the greatest feelings of pride imaginable.I hope that you enjoy the journey as much as (believe it or not) I have.If you are thinking of becoming a tutor and you are looking for support along the way, I may be able to help: Become a tutorI hope it brings you the same happiness and success that it has brought me over the years

One of the questions I'm asked most often is..."How often should my child have tutoring?"The honest answer?There isn't one.Every family is different.Some children thrive with weekly lessons.Others benefit from two sessions a week for a short period.Some families choose fortnightly lessons because that's what fits around their commitments and budget.The same goes for lesson length.Whilst many of our lessons are an hour, some younger children (or those who find concentrating for a full hour difficult) make much better progress in a 45-minute session.For us, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.Our job isn't to squeeze children into our timetable.It's to find an approach that works for your child, your family and your circumstances.

Sometimes the opportunities we say "no" to shape our future just as much as the ones we say "yes" to.Years ago, when Clara James was still in its early days, someone very kindly offered to buy me a tutoring franchise.They genuinely wanted to help me.They thought it would give me the financial boost I needed at the time.On paper, it probably made a lot of sense.An established name.A ready-made business.A shortcut.But I said no.Not because there was anything wrong with the franchise.Because it wasn't right for me.The approach to tutoring didn't sit comfortably with what I believed.I wanted learning to be engaging.To be flexible.To be adapted to the individual child.The franchise's approach was much more structured and based around repetition and learning by rote.I know that approach works well for some children.But I also knew it wasn't the way I wanted to teach.So I walked away.Looking back now, I'm incredibly grateful that I did.Because if I'd accepted that opportunity, Clara James probably wouldn't exist today.The philosophy we've spent years building...Putting the child before the curriculum.Building confidence alongside knowledge.Adapting our teaching to the individual.Seeing labels as clues rather than conclusions....might never have happened.That experience taught me something I've carried with me ever since.When you're building something that matters to you, don't just ask:"Will this make me successful?"Ask:"Does this align with what I believe?"Because success without alignment rarely feels like success for very long.That's true in tutoring.It's true in business.And I suspect it's true in life.Sometimes the most important decision isn't knowing what to say yes to.It's having the confidence to say no to the things that pull you away from who you want to become.Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful I chose to build something that reflected my values rather than taking the easiest path.If you've ever wondered whether tutoring could become something more than a job—something that genuinely changes children's lives—I'd love to tell you more about what we're building at Clara James.Just send me a message.

I wonder if we all have one teacher we'll never forget.For me, there are two.One taught me a lesson I'll never forget for all the wrong reasons.At primary school, we had to write a story about penguins. Once we'd written it in pencil, the teacher would check it before we wrote over it in pen and displayed it for parents' evening.I'd spelt the word "father" incorrectly.She sent me back to change it.I did.Unfortunately, I'd changed it to "farter."She announced it loudly enough for the whole class to hear.Everyone laughed.She sent me back again.The problem wasn't that she'd corrected my spelling.The problem was that she never actually showed me how to spell the word.She simply kept sending me away to get it right.Over forty years later, I still remember how embarrassed I felt.Years later, I met another teacher.Mrs Pope.She taught me English at college.A few months after I started college, my dad died.She often checked in on me.She listened.She cared.She treated me as a person before she treated me as a student.I couldn't tell you everything she taught me.But I'll never forget how she made me feel.It's funny, isn't it?The teachers we remember most aren't always the ones who taught us the curriculum best.They're the ones who made us feel seen.As tutors, parents and teachers, I think that's something worth remembering.Children may not remember every worksheet......but they'll often remember how we made them feel.

Our reputation is so important when we start tutoring. I believe it starts so long before we find our first student by being helpful.At the end of the day we are all very ego-centric, it is a quality that seems to make us human. So, we need to present ourselves with helpfulness as our go to first thought. What can I offer today that someone might find helpful? Here is a book I read that you might find interesting. Here is a website that might be helpful. Would this technique help your child with...Smile and make them feel seen and appreciated, not just like an inconvenience who has signed up and now has to be delt with (yawn)We all have stories to tell, good and bad but think about these as you grow your tutoring business, which do you want to model yourself on. What do you want to be known for.Often it is the smallest of details that make the biggest difference like taking your shoes off as you go into someone's home, or asking how their week has been.Stop and see them as a person. As cliche as it sounds: treat others as you would like to be treated yourself

I think we sometimes come to a lesson with preconceived ideas.This was something I learned as a child when every teacher that had encountered my brother would point out that I'm not as clever as him...There is also the danger that we have preconceived ideas about the child that we are working with: a dyslexic child will struggle to spell. A child on the spectrum will want to follow the same routine every time. A child with ADHD will struggle to concentrate.But I think for everyone, we have good days and bad days. Days where we feel like we have the world on our shoulders and days when we feel like we could move mountains. If that is the case for the child you are working with, embrace that. Finish 5-minutes earlier and end on a high. Add 5-minutes so that you don’t crush the momentum that you have been building.Work with that child you see before you, not the preconceived idea of who you think it should be.I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. It answers the questions that I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected] and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you

I've been thinking a lot recently about how ideas travel.In many organisations, someone at the top has a great idea.That idea gets passed down through layers of management.By the time it reaches the people actually doing the work every day, it often looks very different from what was originally intended.Not because anyone did anything wrong.Simply because every time information passes from one person to another, a little context is lost.I don't want to build Clara James like that.I don't want a franchise where I sit in an office deciding what every tutor should do, creating resources in isolation and assuming they'll work for every child.Because that would contradict everything I believe about education.If every child is different...Then every tutor will also bring different experiences, strengths and ideas.One tutor might discover a brilliant way of explaining fractions.Another might create an incredible spelling game.Someone else might find the perfect way to support a child with exam anxiety.Why would we keep those ideas to ourselves?The franchise I'm building isn't about saying, "Here's the manual. Off you go."It's about building a community of tutors who learn from one another.Who celebrate successes together.Who bring challenges to the table.Who ask questions without fear of judgement.Who create resources together.Who constantly improve what we do because every tutor sees something the rest of us haven't yet noticed.The goal isn't to have one person with all the answers.The goal is to build a team that keeps discovering better ones.Because when we combine our ideas, experiences and creativity, every child benefits.And ultimately, that's why we're here.Not to create the perfect tutoring system.But to become better at seeing, understanding and supporting the unique child sitting in front of us.

Putting yourself out there as a tutor takes a lot of commitment. Always in the back of your mind knowing that no-   one may be interested. Each day you put one foot in front of the other and keep going in the belief that today will be the day!But then you put out your next post and once again it feels like you are shouting into the void and all you hear back are the echos of silence.You decide to put on a brave face, you believe you can do this. Just 1 more attempt.Then something in life happens that you have no control over. Probably something completely unrelated to the business that you are trying to build and it stops you in your tracks.A part of you thinks why am I bothering with this. It feels like time to quit. To admit defeat and accept it's harder work than you ever anticipated.I know exactly how you feel. I was there with the tutoring at times over the years and now with building the franchise. You see other people and they make it look so easy.The truth is, most people don’t share this part. The posts met with silence. The no replies. The self-doubt.But this is the part that everyone goes through - whether they admit it or not But I suspect everyone has their down days. Just take a day to give yourself a break (a couple of years back whilst Hay was at Uni, I jumped on the next train to London and met her for lunch. This was extreme it may be just an episode of a program you enjoy with a cup of tea) and start again tomorrow.The secret to the success is to keep going, no matter how many "1 more attempts" you need, keep taking them because one day you will get that call, then another and you have started to live the dream that a couple of months back felt so far out of reach.If you’re at that stage where you’re thinking “is this even worth it?”  you don’t have to work it out on your own.But actually, it only takes one or two people to know what you are doing and to spread the word for you and you will suddenly take traction, and things will start to happen. You may decide to offer a couple of lessons for free to help speed the process up. One of the things that I also did was to have magnets on the side of my car so that when I was in someone’s house tutoring, people would see it and it was a conversation starter.Not long after I started, I was working at a child’s home and one evening the mum went out to dinner with friends. The magnets had started a conversation which led to both parents phoning the next morning to ask for support for their sons. I still work with the niece of one of those families now and they have each spread the word for me more times than I can mention.I was also lucky enough to tutor the local lolly-pop lady’s daughter. (I was lucky because a) they are a really lovely family, but b) the lolly-pop lady knows every family in the village and became one of my biggest and loudest cheerleaders). All it took was a couple of bits of “luck” and I was off.So, hold on and luck will find you out. As I say, it takes time and effort, it’s not easy, but it is most definitely worth it. I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. It answers the questions that I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected]

I had had a conversation with a tutor earlier this evening that has left me fuming. He is generally a fantastic tutor, but on this I did not agree with him.He had spoken to a mum about supporting her daughter. She was in the top set but might be moved down. But, she needed a grade 6 in her exams. In the initial conversation it had come up that she is dyslexic, doesn't know her times tables and can't tell the time.The reason he rang was to say he was setting himself up for failure with her.I asked whether this was about her failure or his?He responded: "both"Reading between the lines, I think it was fear of a hit to his ego, but...I pointed out that may be I have dyscalculia and I can't do my times tables or read the time off a clock. But, give me a more complex worded question and because of how my brain works more holistically I can pick it and part and come back with the answer with relative ease.When was the last time you saw a higher paper where it asked you a simple times tables question, or to read the time on the clock? That's more likely to be asked on a foundation paper, so maybe it is the foundation paper that would set her up to fail.Without ever having met her, we can not judge.A girl I worked with last year pointed out that maybe if classes were segregated according to learning style rather than "ability" there would probably be a lot more high achievers in the education system.Another mum of a lad I worked with a couple of years back got in touch after the exams. I hadn't realised at the time that he had been expected to fail maths. He was in the higher paper. After the results day she got in touch and said thank you. She stated that he had been so disillusioned with the educational system and felt that he was a failure. But because someone had explained something in the way that he understood it, it had made a difference. At first in maths and then other subjects too.She said he'd never expected him to go to college but the goal was just to survive school.He got an 8 in maths. An A in A' level maths and is now doing maths and computer science at university.If we don't prejudge a person we can make a huge difference. And that is what tutoring should be about. Not our ego and our pass rate, but helping the child sat in front of us to meet their full potential.That is the type of person I want to have working with us and representing the Clara James Brand. That is what I want us to be know for/ remembered as.

There are 4 different locations where you could base your tutoring from: at your home, online, at their home or in a general setting.We’ll go through each of these, and I’ll try and be objective…The most common form of tutoring initially was one-to-one tutoring in the tutor’s home. For the tutor it means you save yourself the financial or time expense of travel and you have all of your resources to hand. Because of the convenience to you in that respect you may lower your prices slightly as the parent is experiencing the inconvenience, however, you are still potentially offering 1-to-1 lessons so for that you can justify charging more of a premium.Like I say, here the parents have the inconvenience of travelling and it is harder to build a rapport with them if they don’t come to the house with the child. Bearing in mind they are the ones who pay for the lessons, the bigger the rapport you can build the better. If this is the case, you will probably need to find a way to regularly report back to the parents on what you’ve been working on as often if they ask their children how it went the response will be something along the lines of: it was fine. What did you do? I can’t remember, or I don’t know what it’s called. Which may leave the parents questioning what they are paying for especially if the child is reluctant to go or there isn’t the uplift in the child’s confidence or grades that they were hoping for.Online tutoring. The demand for this rose for a while throughout lockdown and for a short while after and although it still suits many families, many more are saying: actually no, we did enough of that in Covid, or it didn’t work for my child in lock-down we much prefer face-to-face.Like tutoring in your home, it can be a much cheaper option for the parents as you’re not having to travel or create physical resources. It means the parents aren’t having to travel or loiter whilst the child is in their lesson. Most kids are also technically savvy enough that they don’t need their parents there to help.Again, it does put a wedge between you and the parents, so after each lesson you may ask to talk to the parents still or send them a quick email or message to keep them in the loop as to what you’ve been doing. It is harder work for you to capture the attention of many reluctant learners when you are online as it is easier for them to turn their camera off and occupy themselves with something more entertaining such as their phone and just grunt at you from time to time to let you presume they are still actively involved.Online lessons also seem to have a higher cancellation rate with people just not turning up, so you will need a strong cancellation policy in place to ensure that you are still paid for your time even if it is not for the full hour that the lesson was intended to last. The next option involves biggest effort for you but the easiest option for the parents: tutoring in their home. The pros and cons to this approach are the most extreme. You can charge far more because of the convenience for the family, but it will reduce the number of families you can work with on any given day because you have to consider travel time. You will also have to have physical resources and be organised so that when you turn up, you have enough relevant resources for the full hour.I always double check with families on the day, or the day before that they are still expecting me and if there is anything specific, they would like us to focus on. They will let you know, generally needs to be finished with but don’t hold your breath. Some do, but I normally liken it to cooking a fancy meal for your other half’s boss. You ask if there is anything specific you should cook, and they say anything. You cook a roast beef and pork with all the trimmings. When they arrive and you proudly take it out the oven, they announce that they are vegan. Some parents underestimate the time and effort that has to go into preparing for a physical lesson when you don’t have your supply of resources to hand. It is on many levels much more effort. However, the child is in a location where they feel more at ease so they will be in a better state of mind to learn. It is also more convenient for the parents, so they are less likely to look for an excuse to stop. You can build up a better rapport because you are working 1-to-1 and can read their body language better. It’s easier to tell if you are explaining something in a way that they understand or if you are just talking at them without making sense to them.The final option is often reserved for bigger tutoring agencies that position themselves in shopping centres, high streets, or similar. That is tutoring from a central base. For some it will be the best option by far as it ensures that they are not interrupted and there is a clear dividing line between home and work.However, you need to consider the additional costs that will be incurred (though you can claim them back as business expenses you need to earn that money first.) You don’t want to be working just to break even.Every option has its advantages and disadvantages like most things do. We offer online and in-person at their home. That works well for us, but you will need to decide what is the best option for you, and why.I hope this helps. I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected] or click on the link below and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you: Become a tutor - Free copy of my book 

As we get closer to the end of term, many families are looking forward to the summer holidays - and rightly so. After a long school year, children often really need that break. They need time to rest, play, recharge, and just be.But for some children, especially those who are neurodiverse or struggle with anxiety, transitions can be difficult. The move from school into summer can feel unsettling, and then just as they settle into holiday life, September starts to loom and the return to school can bring a whole new wave of worry.I was chatting to a mum recently who now home educates, but when her child was in school, they used to really struggle with anxiety about going back in September. She shared something so simple but so thoughtful. During the summer, she kept a few small term-time habits going. Things like using packed lunches on some days, keeping bedtimes fairly consistent, and getting clothes ready the night before.Not to make summer feel like school, but to make the transition back feel a little less abrupt.I thought that was such a helpful idea, and one that might really support some families.For many anxious or neurodiverse children, routines bring a sense of safety. Predictability helps them feel more in control. So when the structure of school suddenly disappears, even if school itself has been tiring or stressful, that change can still feel big.And then, later in the summer, the anticipation of going back can start to build. Some children might become more emotional, more clingy, more irritable, or start asking lots of questions about September. Others might complain of tummy aches, struggle to sleep, or seem worried without really being able to explain why.One of the most important things we can do as parents is acknowledge those feelings. Let them know it makes sense to feel wobbly. Let them talk about their worries without judgement. Reassure them that they don’t have to manage it all at once.It can also help to keep some gentle structure in place over the summer. Not a strict timetable, and not at the expense of fun, but a few familiar anchors in the day or week. That might mean keeping bedtime reasonably consistent, having some routine around meals, using a visual plan, or preparing for the next day in the evening.As September gets closer, gentle preparation can make a real difference. You can gradually move routines back towards school time, talk through what the first day might look like, revisit the school if that’s possible, or look at photos online together. Breaking things down into small steps can make the whole return feel more manageable.It’s also helpful to think about what support your child might need in school. Is there a teacher, teaching assistant, or other trusted adult who could be their safe person if they feel overwhelmed? Could you give school a heads-up if transitions are usually difficult?Most of all, I think it’s important to remember that children who struggle with transitions are not being difficult. They are often doing their best to cope with something that feels uncertain, unpredictable, or emotionally big.And as parents, we do not need to make everything perfect. Sometimes the smallest things are the most powerful. A familiar routine. A bit of preparation. A calm response. Reassurance given again and again.These small acts can help our children enjoy the freedom of summer while feeling a little safer about what comes next.

There is something terrifying about openly admitting that you were a fool.Just a year or so into starting to tutor a company phoned me and promoted that they could provide me with a position on the first page of Google. He asked about the business, and I told him how we supported children with special learning needs, and he gushed and goo-ed and did a fantastic job of convincing me that he genuinely thought what we were doing was great. Because what we were doing was in such demand it was important to get the word out there so that we could support more children. In fact, bear with him, he wanted to ask his boss something… Yes, he’d spoken to his boss and because what we were doing was so beneficial, he could drop the price. He could offer us a position at the top of the first page of Google for just £400 for 6-months. Would I be interested? It could make such a huge difference to the business.Being as naive as I was jumped at the opportunity. 6-months later the phone range. Because I hadn’t opted out of the contract, I now owed them, I can’t remember the exact amount, but thousands of pounds and it was due today.I didn’t have that money.He then announced that if I couldn’t pay it whilst he was on the phone they would send the bailiffs around this evening to retrieve goods to that value. They couldn’t do that, my youngest who was about 14 years old at the time would be home along for about ½ an hour, I couldn’t have them here whilst she was here by herself.At the same time a close friend of my mum was terminally ill with cancer, and we were expecting the call at any time to say he had gone, so I also wanted to get this man off the phone so I could speak to my mum if she rang. I had no idea what I should do. The man could clearly sense I was panicking and increased the pressure accordingly. Eventually I suggested that I could pay him £50 today on my credit card, then pay the rest off in instalments over the coming months. He told me to give him the card details and to hang up and he would talk to his manager and see if he could get this authorised, though it might take some time to convince him. The man on the call said he would do what he could for me. Thank you, relief… A few minutes later, Barclaycard rang. Had I authorised a £50 payment to this company. Yes, I had authorised 1 £50 payment to them.A few minutes later the company was back on the phone, he had managed to persuade his manager and we could go ahead with this. I don’t know why now but when I left for my lessons I was still in dread that the bailiffs were going to be coming round.A few days later I had a letter from Barclays saying that I had gone over my spending limit and would be charged accordingly. How?It appeared that whilst I had been on the phone to them, they had taken multiple payments of £50 off the card until they had maxed it out. They had taken over £13,000. I phoned them up and because I had authorised the first payment, that had automatically authorised the other payments to them thereafter.Long story short: I got the citizens advice involved and they were fantastic, when the man on the phone had been speaking, he had told me that part of what I was paying for was a new website. Because they had never followed through with creating the website they had breached the contract and I was entitled to a full refund.It took over 18 months to get that money back. When I looked online afterwards there were numerous messages from people who had also been scammed.Looking back now it seems ridiculous, but it seemed so genuine in the moment.I hope I haven’t lost all credibility by telling you this story.I recently wrote a book called: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change lives. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected] or fill in the form below and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you if aims to answer many of the questions that I had when I first started out as a tutor. Become a tutor - Free copy of my bookI wish you all the best on your journey into the world of tutoring.

This probably sounds like I am stating the obvious, but if you are looking to start a tutoring business the biggest/best piece of advice that I can give you is to be helpful. By this I mean: if you are commenting on a social media post where someone is asking for help, offer them help and not just the option of taking you on as a tutor. If you are giving out fliers, put a valuable tip / suggestion (such as revision tips, ways to learn a specific times table, quotes from a GCSE text book), or whatever it is so that they have a reason to hold on to that piece of paper and not just put it in a drawer.It also holds you as an expert with valuable information to share and not just someone who is trying to grow their business.If someone calls you looking for help, ask if they mind if you share a couple of ideas with them that you use and you hope they might find useful. Some might go, no thanks I can’t work with my child, but many will say thank you, that would be really helpful.But in doing this you are helping to build up a strong relationship from the outset. You are proving that you are doing this because you care and not just because you are trying to increase your numbers…I hope this helps. I recently wrote a book: Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives. If you would like a free copy (no strings attached just a gift from me to you) drop me an email at [email protected] or fill in the form below and I will happily drop a copy in the post for you

The other day I organised a "Tutoring coffee and chat". The idea being that people who were thinking of becoming a tutor or looking to grow their tutoring business could join the call and we could share ideas that could be helpful to get them started.A point that repeatedly came up was that they were looking to start in September. The new school year.If this is your plan, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE start telling people now that you will be available, because:1) there are so many people promoting themselves as tutors that it will take time for you to be heard above the noise.2) People will be entrusting you with their child's education. They will want time to get to know you, like you, trust you before inviting you into their lives.3) People are starting to look for tutors now for September so that it is something that is organised and they can put to the back of their minds before the summer holidays begin.If you would like a free copy of my book: Become a Tutor: Build Confidence. Change Lives (no strings attached what-so-ever) please do drop me a line: [email protected] and I will more than happy to send you one in the post. (I wrote it with the goal of answering the questions that I had when I got started)I wish you every bit of success on your journey

At times tutoring can feel like a rollercoaster: its nonstop. Then suddenly you hit a bank holiday weekend, and the breaks are slammed on and somehow you have to pick up momentum again.You are running down the racetrack at a million miles an hour and a parent will declare that actually, we’ve been looking at dates and thanks for your help, but I think we’ll leave it there!That change in direction wasn’t something you had braced yourself for and you fall flat on your face.At first, you celebrate the time to yourself and then you start a new relationship with free-time, and you never want it to end…But you know the reality is that this cannot last for ever. When I find myself in this situation, I have an image by my desk of the things I strive to achieve so that I can remind myself what it is I am striving for. Why I get up in the morning and head straight to the computer.Then (I confess) I am a list person. I love lists. It had gotten to the stage that I had lists to remind myself of my other lists, but I have become more disciplined now.But I have lists of different books, YouTube videos, podcasts that I can refer to that motivate me. They can be on fixing up the house or garden. They can be travel related or based on building a business. They may just be people who inspire me.Often, I will take myself for a walk and think back to what incredible parents I had and the values that they instilled in us. It is whatever works for you in that moment.And it’s not about making a huge splash on that day, it’s about doing something. Anything, that will get the wheels turning again because that is what builds momentum. Whilst you are static your business can not grow, but 1 small step can become the start of many that will take you on the journey that you dream of.I am giving away copies of my book “Become a Tutor. Build Confidence. Change Lives” if you would like a (completely free, no strings attached) copy, just drop me a message and I will more than happily drop one in the post for you: [email protected] hope it helps.If you are looking for more tailored support in growing your tutoring business check out this link to discover other ways that I can help: Become a tutor

I've been trying hard to give away copies of my book "Become a Tutor" as a free gift. No strings. But it is proving so hard!So, I thought if I recorded the introduction people would know what it was about and might be more tempted to take a copy.So, please if you are thinking about becoming a tutor or growing your tutoring business and you think this might be of help, please do go to the link below and I will get one in the post for you as soon as possible:Become a tutor - Free copy of my book

When I first started tutoring I asked tutors in the local area if they wanted to create a group where we could share ideas/highs/lows of tutoring. Work together and support each other.The response was a unanimous "no!"Yet it seemed bizarre that people would rather work in isolation rather than build something stronger if we worked as a team. For them "team" meant competition.But I am sure that if we work together our businesses will grow and strengthen as a consequence which in turn will lead to better profits (which at the end of the day is why most of us are in business...)That is also why I am turning towards supporting people grow their tutoring businesses so that they can be a part of a team, a part of something bigger.If you would like to know the different ways we can help, may be starting with a copy of my free book: Become a tutor - Free copy of my bookor something more click here to find out how I can help: Become a tutor

Thinking back over the years some of the best advice I have had has been a nugget of something from a book or audiobook, or a child I have been working with.We can listen to everything, but if it doesn't work for us sometimes it's best not to hear it.But what I have learned is that sometimes those who charge the most and offer the biggest promises actually provide the least. In this podcast I'll talk you through some of the experiences I've had over the years - the good, the bad, and the ugly.I also mention that if you would like me to pop a copy of my book in the post for you (completely free, no ties) I am more than happy to. It's the steps I wish I had been given when I was starting out as a tutor. If wanted, or if you have any other questions, please do ask: [email protected] you do enjoy these episodes and you find them helpful, it would mean the world if you subscribed.Good luck on your journey into tutoring 

Why would you help your competition? In a Facebook group that I am a part of about tutoring, someone recently asked why were people looking for help from their competition?That seemed like a bizarre concept that we were competition as there are so many people looking for support in so many areas that we couldn’t possibly support everyone that needed it alone.We all also have different approaches to tutoring, so although I may offer “this”, it could be that families are looking for “that”, like you do it.Parents aren’t looking for ‘a tutor’. They’re looking for the right tutor for their child.But surely, the only way we can continue to improve and offer something better is by seeking help and advice and surely the best people to gain that from are often those who are slightly further along the journey than we are. Often, the children themselves are some of our greatest teachers.They are the ones experiencing the education system every day, and their reactions, frustrations, and successes teach us a huge amount about how learning really works in practice.Wherever you are finding inspiration and help from, can I suggest that you never stop learning and looking to grow and improve.My late mum was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known.Not because of qualifications, but because she never stopped learning.She was constantly reading, listening, watching documentaries, and exploring ideas about people and the world around her.Curiosity never left her.Wherever you are in your tutoring journey, I genuinely believe we grow faster when we are willing to learn from others rather than trying to do everything alone.None of us know everything.The important thing is staying open to learning, reflecting, and improving.It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about building supportive spaces for tutors who are starting or growing their journey.If you are looking for support, guidance, or simply someone to walk alongside you as you build your tutoring business, feel free to get in touch. I’d love to help if I can. Become a tutor

Thinking about becoming a tutor?In this episode, I walk you through a real day in my life as a tutor and what I do, how I structure my time, and what the role truly involves beyond the act of tutoring itself. It's not glamours or a jet set lifestyle but I have to be honest and I say that I wouldn't change it.When the time is right, if you would like help building your own tutoring business, here are some ways that I can help: Become a tutor

Something you may not consider when you start tutoring is the weather!This past weekend the weather has been incredible (by the usual standards of the UK in April). The sun was shining and many of the neighbours were having BBQs. How is this relevant to tutoring?Tutoring will generally take place during the hours when the children are not in school; evenings and weekends which can be great because it removes the need for childcare if your partner/the other parent is home, but it also means that week after week you miss out.I admit that there are significantly more children being home schooled now and looking for support in the school day, but it may not be enough to provide a suitable income.There are multiple adverts on social media claiming that you can tutor from anywhere in the world working the hours to suit you, but that is not what my journey has revealed. Tutoring, like any business you start will be dependent on an element of love because it will become a big part of your life.Don’t get me wrong, to a degree to can be flexible, for example if it is your child’s parent’s evening next week and it co-insides with a lesson you might be able to ask to start 30 minutes earlier or later, or switch to a different day so that you don’t miss it. But… if you are due to start a lesson in half an hour and someone suggests that you put the BBQ on and enjoy the sunshine more often than not you will likely find yourself declining.And that’s the reality.But it’s also worth remembering what you gain in return.You’re building something of your own. You’re supporting children in a meaningful way. You’re creating a business that can grow and evolve over time.You’ll meet incredible people.Experience pride in what you have achieved.Experience gratitude and appreciation for what you do that you know is honest and genuine.Because you will see how you are changing lives.And for many people, that trade-off becomes more than worthwhile.If you’re reading this and still thinking tutoring might be something you’d like to explore, but you’re not quite sure what it really looks like day-to-day…that’s exactly what I’m starting to share more of at the moment.I’m currently building out the Clara James franchise, which is designed to support people who want to start tutoring in a way that’s realistic, sustainable, and actually works.If you’re curious, feel free to get in touch — I’m always happy to have a chat.(or discover other ways we can help: Become a tutor

If you had asked me a couple of years back what makes a good tutor, I would have answered with what I thought a tutor needed to be. Confident, a qualified teacher, great subject knowledge and the degree to prove it.After 14 years of building the business and employing a wide variety of people, my attitude has changed.These days I would suggest the main attributes are in the ability to build a relationship, to be approachable and adaptable. Qualifications are great, but that is only half of the story.If you are considering becoming a tutor and thinking about exploring it further, I’ve put together some guidance to help you get started  Become a tutor

There will be days when you are working on growing your business that you will feel like you have slogged away all day and question what you have achieved. Then other days you will do something that takes you seconds but will have you swinging from the chandeliers (metaphorically speaking).I was asked to offer some advice to someone who’s tutoring business had started to “fizzle out”. My main 3 things I would have said (had he have shown up) would be: start by being helpful. Don’t just promote yourself in a “salesy way” give a simple tip that the parent can use to support their child, or a revision tip that a child can use. Your instinct might be to ask why you would give when your bank account is screaming at you that it needs to receive, but the thing is that this builds likeability and trust. It shows that you care and you are not just looking for quick and easy money, which sadly tutoring is something often regarded as.My second suggestion I would make would be “Tutoring for charity”. I did this not long after I started tutoring. I had some spare hours during the holidays and felt I should be doing something productive. So, I found a room for free and offered to provide an hour’s tutoring, but instead of payment asked that they make a donation to one of my chosen charities. I think I made about £50, it was hardly life changing; however, it got a mention in the local paper and the local radio. And people who hadn’t been able to make it to those sessions got in touch and asked if I was able to help their child on an ongoing basis.My third suggestion would be – keep going, keep showing up. Even if it seems like hard work, keep going because the reward will one day be worth every single tear, every time it is suggested that you get a proper job, every single sleepless night.Good luck.Wherever you are on your journey to build a tutoring business, if you would like support, please do ask: Become a tutor

Tutoring was never something I intended doing, however a friend talked me into it. I had no business experience (my background was education, specifically working with neurodiverse children). So a friend and I brainstormed what we would expect from a tutor for our own children and I morphed this with what I had learned over the years about supporting children's learning. That was the beginning of the journey. There have been too many highs and lows over the years to talk about them all but with commitment (and an awful lot of learning and mistakes) along the way, I have now built a business I am hugely proud of. If you’re listen to this and thinking you might like to try tutoring… I’ve put together a page with some guidance to help you get started: Become a tutor

As with most things there is no perfect time to start tutoring, so start today!That's a confident statement, but the reason I say that is because initially people will be oblivious of what you are doing. It will take time for people to remember your details. So, use this initial period to start to grow awareness of your new business.In this podcast I also mention the type of posts that I would recommend posting to help people to get to know you, trust you and recognise that you are genuinely here to help. I've started to compile a page where, no matter where you are in your tutoring journey: thinking of starting, initial growth or something bigger, I can be there to help you: Clara James TutoringAny questions at all, please do ask, I will always do my best to help

When I first started tutoring I hired a room for a couple of days (though I guess I could have done it here) for free through a local organisation, and offered free tutoring. My request was that the family put a donation into the tin instead of it being a fixed amount.I'll be honest, I didn't raise much, maybe £50 or £60, but because it was for charity it meant that the local newspaper and radio station interviewed me about it, I was able to mention it in local Facebook groups, etc. And what it did was raise my credibility in the local area.It won't work for everyone, but as always I hope this idea gives you food for thought. May be one day I will do the same and offer those looking to become a tutor an hour of support, ideas and guidance to help them to get started. Is that something people would be interested in?

I was speaking to a tutor who has been building his business over the past few years and is now considering taking voluntary redundancy to grow it full-time.He mentioned that many of the families he works with have started asking if he offers support in other subjects. As a result, he’s begun exploring the idea of bringing in additional tutors — including some based overseas — to help meet that demand.On the surface, it sounds like a sensible next step.More subjects. More tutors. More opportunities.But it immediately took me back to something I experienced early on.A lesson I learned the hard wayYears ago, I recommended a tutor to support my son with A-level Economics.This was someone I had suggested to other families — someone I trusted.When he arrived, he came with a pen… and nothing else.He sat down and asked, “What would you like to cover?”My son explained that he had missed that particular lesson at school and didn’t understand the topic.The tutor responded, “You must know something.”And for almost the entire hour, they went round in circles.As a parent, I was frustrated. I had paid for support, and my son was no further forward.But as someone building a tutoring business, I felt something else entirely.Horror.Because I had recommended him.Your reputation is built through othersThat experience stayed with me.It made me realise that when you bring someone into your business — whether directly or by recommendation — they represent you.Your values. Your standards. Your ethos.And the further removed you are from that person, the harder it becomes to ensure those standards are upheld.When you’re not in the room… you don’t always know what’s happening.It also highlighted another mistake I made early on.Trying to support everything.Every subject. Every need. Every request.At the time, it felt like the right thing to do — to help as many people as possible.But in reality, it diluted what I was known for.When you specialise, people understand:what you dowho you helpwhy you’re good at itWhen you don’t, it becomes much harder to build a clear, trusted reputation.You risk becoming a “Jack of all trades” — and that makes it harder for families to feel confident in choosing you.What parents are really looking forParents aren’t looking for what’s easiest for the tutor.They are looking for what is best for their child.They want:someone who understands the curriculumsomeone who is preparedsomeone who can build confidencesomeone who genuinely knows how to support their childAnd most importantly — they want consistency.Why this matters nowThis is one of the reasons I place so much importance on:building strong relationships with the tutors I work withstaying connectedmaintaining clear expectations and standardsIt’s also one of the key reasons I am taking my time in developing the Clara James franchise.Growth is important.But not at the expense of quality.The goal isn’t to grow quickly. The goal is to grow well.To build something where:standards are consistentvalues are sharedand every child receives the level of support they deserveA final thoughtIf you are growing your tutoring business, it’s worth asking yourself:What do you want to be known for?Because your reputation isn’t just built on what you do.It’s built on everything connected to your name.And that is something worth protecting.Have a great week

Over the years I have found that there are so many people offering you advice on how to market your business. Each person saying something different. Each one equally justified because it's worked for their business. But is that business a tutoring business.I think we need to listen to everyone, but only hear what will be of relevance to our business. Think about who we are wanting to talk to; the parent and use that as your north star.I hope this is of help as you get started on your journey as a tutor or growing the tutoring business that you have already startedGood luck, there are many children out there that need a great tutor like you.The Clara James Tutor's Group