Dawn Strachan - Podcast Details

Shows

The Clara James Approach to learning Is It Really Laziness... Or Is Something Else Going On?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...

2026-08-1305 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring chat and a coffee: 5 cheap ideas I have used to grow my tutoring businessOver 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...

2026-08-1222 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Joining a movement and not just a franchiseWhen 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...

2026-08-0606 min

The Clara James Approach to learning What Your Child Really Means When They Say "I Hate Maths""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...

2026-08-0604 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Coffee and a Tutoring Chat: The importance of relationshipsI 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...

2026-08-0510 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Coffee and a tutoring chat: The battle of the homework!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 a...

2026-07-3010 min

The Clara James Approach to learning When You Feel Called to Build Something Bigger - A tutoring ChatThere 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...

2026-07-2911 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring Chat & Coffee: What I've learned in 20+ years about working with childrenIn 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 si...

2026-07-2909 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring chat and a chat: Why do some bright children stop believing in themselvesI 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...

2026-07-2906 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A Tutoring chat and a coffee - Every Child Is Already on a JourneyEvery 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 ev...

2026-07-2804 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring chat and a coffee: How do I know if my child needs extra help?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

2026-07-2308 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Why is my child struggling when I know they're bright?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

2026-07-2306 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring is a journey of highs and lows - but they will all be worth itWhen 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.

2026-07-2208 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Coffee and a tutoring chat: How long should a tutoring session beOne 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...

2026-07-2102 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Follow your values when you start tutoringSometimes 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.

2026-07-1603 min

The Clara James Approach to learning What memories will you leave with the children that you work with?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...

2026-07-1504 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A chat about tutoring and a coffee: Customer serviceOur 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......

2026-07-1508 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Coffee and a Tutoring Chat: Working with the child in front of you todayI 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...

2026-07-0808 min

The Clara James Approach to learning We don't just share best practice. We create it together: Building the Clara James FranchiseI'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...

2026-07-0703 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A Tutoring chat and a coffee - Getting your first studentsPutting 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 a...

2026-07-0110 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Is tutoring about our success or the child that we are working with?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...

2026-06-2606 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutoring Chat & Coffee: Where Is the Best Place to Work as a Tutor? Lessons from 14 Years of TutoringThere 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 experien...

2026-06-2414 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Helping anxious and neurodiverse children transition through the summer holidays and back to schoolAs 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....

2026-06-2304 min

The Clara James Approach to learning When you start tutoring don't be taken as a fool like I wasThere 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...

2026-06-1714 min

The Clara James Approach to learning My biggest piece of advice if you want to become a tutor - be helpfulThis 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 bo...

2026-06-1007 min

The Clara James Approach to learning If you want to start tutoring in a couple of months time - bare this in mindThe 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...

2026-06-0205 min

The Clara James Approach to learning The Rollercoaster of TutoringAt 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 celebr...

2026-05-2705 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Become A Tutor - the book's introductionI'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 so...

2026-05-2008 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A community for tutorsWhen 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 b...

2026-05-1904 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Where to get advice to grow your tutoring business when you're starting outThinking 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 b...

2026-05-1307 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Why would you help your competitors?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.Parent...

2026-05-1303 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A day in the life of building Clara James TutoringThinking 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: Be...

2026-05-0608 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Sunshine, BBQ's and TutoringSomething 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 m...

2026-04-2904 min

The Clara James Approach to learning What makes a good 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.

2026-04-2205 min

The Clara James Approach to learning 3 bits of advice I would give someone when their tutoring business is looking for a boostThere 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...

2026-04-1508 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Getting started as a tutor: The highs, lows and in-betweensTutoring 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 w...

2026-04-0811 min

The Clara James Approach to learning When should I start tutoring?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.

2026-04-0106 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A Simple Way I Grew My Tutoring Business (That Cost Nothing More Than My TIme)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...

2026-03-2504 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Growing Your Tutoring Business Without Losing Your StandardsI 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 immediat...

2026-03-1807 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Listen to everyone, but only hear what's relevant (when marketing your tutoring business)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...

2026-03-1104 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Why we started offering online lessons as well in person lessonsWhen I first started the tutoring business in 2012 I was very opinionated that every lesson should take place in the comfort of the child's home. They would be in an environment where they felt comfortable and it would make life easier for the family. We could make the lessons interactive and use a wide variety of resources.Then we went into lockdown.I had 2 choices, either let the business, that I had spent the past 8 years working hard to build go, or adapt and embrace online lessons and try something new.Really there...

2026-03-0406 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Why we do 1-1 tutoring sessions in the child's homeIn this podcast I explain why we made the decision to do our 1-1 tutoring sessions in the child's home rather than expecting them to travel to us.The easier we can make things for the family, the more likely it is that they will chose you over other available tutors and the more likely it is that they will want you to keep supporting their child over a longer period

2026-02-2504 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Use your story to grow your tutoring businessEvery day someone else makes the decision to start tutoring. Some will be excellent, others will still be learning. But with so many people promoting themselves as a tutor, how can you be the one that stands out as different?Is the answer better resources, more qualifications, a new expensive marketing strategy?Often the answer is no, what they actually need to do is to focus on their story. “I always thought my oldest daughter might be mildly dyslexic. After a training course I did the tutor suggested I had a wor...

2026-02-1805 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tutor the child not the labelThis is by no means meant as being derogatory towards getting the support a child needs to help them cope in the education system in life in general. Instead, it is meant as a reminder that behind every label is a child and it is important that we work with the needs of the individual rather than what we perceive them to need because of the label they have.As humans we are all unique individuals and our role is to get to know the child as an individual and give them the support they need determined...

2026-02-1106 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Clara James Tutoring - 14 years in the making14 years ago, I went to the home of the first person I ever worked with. It was probably one of the most terrifying events I have encountered through work.I’ve told the story many times about the first lesson I ever went to. I was told go to the crossroads, turn left, keep going and the cottage was right at the end of the lane.Simple.I followed the directions and pulled up outside this large house. A lady came marching out and asked what I wanted.I ex...

2026-02-0419 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Can tutoring provide a full-time income?The honest answer is yes, but it isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, commitment, and hard work. There are often adverts popping up on social media explaining how you can tutor from anywhere in the world and make thousands of pounds in the process, but to be honest I would treat promises like these with caution. My story, my experience, is very different.What does a “full-time income” actually mean to you?Everyone’s idea of a full-time income is different.You might...

2026-01-2128 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Solving equations with an x on both sidesRecently a few people have asked about how to solve equations with an x on both sides.When I did my GCSEs many, many years ago dad suggested that I imagined a set of scales. Whatever I did to one side, I had to ensure I did to the other side as well to make sure the scales stayed balanced.These are very much like solving normal equations except there may be an extra step or two.Imagine we are given the equation 3x+2 = 6x-4The way that dad explained this to...

2026-01-1407 min

The Clara James Approach to learning The hardest part of tutoringI love tutoring, it has completely changed my life. Not just financially, but also the confidence I have in myself and my abilities. I’m still not an outwardly confident person but I am no longer the timid, quiet person I was before. Through tutoring I have met some incredible people: children, their parents, other tutors, other professionals. Would I change the decision to become a tutor? No.However, are there aspects of tutoring I would love to change? Yes.When I started to write this, I thought I would struggle to think of...

2026-01-0708 min

The Clara James Approach to learning My child hates reading!Why do some children love reading whilst others detest it.Generally speaking, it’s rarely just about not liking books, there’s usually a deeper reason and the word “Hate” can be a cover for feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, or bored especially in a day and age when information and entertainment is so readily available at pace.The step into ks3 feels like such a leap. It is suddenly, not just what they read but how deeply they’re expected to understand it. Reading is now not just an act in itself, it is an entrance to a whole new...

2025-12-1010 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Support your child with their times tables - and make it funAre you looking to support your child with their times tables in a fun yet effective manner?Listen on.In this podcast we will look at how we learn. How by using a variety of resources we are helping our children to create multiple memories in their minds making it easier to recall the information when it is needed. We will then explore tips for learning each of the times tables before finally looking at 3 games that I often use in our lessons to assist with recall, repetition, and fun.I c...

2025-11-1920 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Untitled EpisodePrior to tonight's workshop I recorded myself as a trial run. In this video we talk about 1. Use Colour and CreativityUse at least 5 colours when revising — it engages more neural pathways and helps you remember.Colourful notes are more inviting to revisit than plain black-and-white ones.Visual memory tricks like drawing symbols or cartoons to represent quotes (e.g., for English Literature) can really cement them in your memory.📅 2. Plan, but Keep It RealisticDon’t overestimate what you can do — this leads to disappointment and overwhelm.Start with just 15–30 minutes a da...

2025-11-0626 min

The Clara James Approach to learning How do we learn?In this Podcast we explore what I have learned over the years about supporting children with their learning. Learning is unique to each one of us. Yet, there are some principles which we can use to support any child’s education that will prove beneficial.If we give our children something to do to help them learn something, we help them to create a memory. For a younger child this might be flash cards to help them recognise the basic words that can then be built upon to help them to learn to read.Older ch...

2025-10-2905 min

The Clara James Approach to learning How can I support my neurodiverse child through home educationIn this podcast we will look at how you can support your home educated child without it becoming a cause of overwhelm for the whole family.Making the decision to support your child’s education at home is a huge decision but at the same time you know in your heart-of-hearts that it is the right decision, especially when your child isn’t fitting into the mainstream educational system for whatever reason: anxiety, neurodiversity, bullying, to name but a few.Alongside the perceived added workload there is the emotional commitment. Will it work being parent and...

2025-10-2208 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting your child with their handwritingI have just put the handwriting bundle live inside the membership group, but I thought I'd share the video with you as there might be some suggestions in there that you would find helpful when working with your own child.Things like playing noughts and crosses but using letters instead of the traditional symbols, completing mazes or dot-to-dots. Creating wordsearches for someone else to solve as having to concentrate on each individual letter will help to create it more neatly.The overriding message is to start with a small target (such as a...

2025-10-1510 min

The Clara James Approach to learning It's ok to explain things differentlyOne of the comments I think I hear more than any other is that of parents concern that if they explain something differently to how the teacher has explained it, it will just confuse their child further.But I think we all need someone in our lives who will explain things differently, in a way that makes sense to us rather than just the generic masses.I hope this short podcast offers the reassurance you need if this is you

2025-09-2404 min

The Clara James Approach to learning 2 tiny things you can do that will make a huge difference to your tutoring businessI think these two things have been the most powerful things I have done to grow Clara James Tutoring. Neither of them cost anything but will take how you think about your business and those that you work with to a whole new level.What are they?Firstly, think about every lesson you do as if it was your own child, or the person you care most deeply about in the world. What would you offer them? What would you expect for them?The second is, every day ask yourself what 1 thing can...

2025-09-1704 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Will I confuse my child if I explain things differently to how their teacher explained it?One of the most common fears I have heard from parents over the past 13+ years, is that if they explain something differently to how their child has learned it at school it will confuse them. But actually, sometimes a different explanation. Not because the teacher is wrong, but because we all have different life experiences and understanding we will all perceive things and understand things differently. Sometimes we just need someone to explain something in a way that makes sense to us.A lot of parents live in fear that if they attempt to explain s...

2025-09-1008 min

The Clara James Approach to learning What is the best way to become a tutor: employed, self-employed or franchise?If you are mulling over the idea of becoming a tutor you might be trying to decide which is the best route to go down: self-employed, franchise, employed?In this article I will try to explain the pros and cons of each approach from what I have learned and experienced since I started Clara James Tutoring, started employing tutors to work with me and preparing the business to offer as a franchise.I hope it helps.To read the whole article click here: What is the best way to become a t...

2025-09-0317 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting Your Child’s Reading—Even When You’re Not a Confident ReaderWelcome back to The Clara James Approach Podcast—I’m Dawn, your host. In today’s episode, we’ll explore how parents who don’t feel like confident readers themselves can still create a supportive, fun, and effective reading environment at home. Whether it’s anxiety, neurodiversity, or a lack of confidence holding you back, there’s plenty you can do to help your child flourish.Key Topics Covered:1. Why Reading Can Feel Tough—For Both of YouMany of us remember the pressure of reading out loud in class and how it trigg...

2025-08-2719 min

The Clara James Approach to learning How do I choose my niche as a tutor?Starting out as a tutor can feel overwhelming — should you work with younger children, teenagers, or exam students? Do you stick to your favourite subject, or go where the demand is? In this video, Dawn shares her own journey of starting with primary-aged children, only to discover her passion (and strength) in supporting GCSE students.We’ll explore:✅ Why specialising can help you stand out and attract the right students✅ How to discover your strengths, style, and what truly lights you up✅ The differences between tutoring younger vs. older students✅ How to balance enjoyment wi...

2025-08-2015 min

The Clara James Approach to learning How do I teach my child their times tables (without the tears and frustration)Struggling to get your child confident with their times tables? In this video, I share fun, practical, and stress-free ways to help them remember their multiplication facts. From games and songs to real-life practice, these ideas will make times tables learning easier and more enjoyable for both you and your child.Whether they’re just starting out or need a confidence boost, you’ll discover tips you can start using today to help them succeed in maths.📚 Resources mentioned: 👉 Read the whole article: How can I help my child to learn the times tabl...

2025-08-1523 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Should I pay for resources to educate my childIn today’s world, we’re lucky to have a wealth of free educational resources at our fingertips. A quick Google search or a scroll through Pinterest can reveal thousands of activities, printables, and ideas. So, on the surface, it seems like the answer to this question should be yes.But is it really that simple?If you’ve chosen to home educate your child, it’s likely a decision you’ve made with great care, passion, and thought. While you’re not tied to a rigid curriculum, there may still be areas — like maths, English, or sc...

2025-08-0607 min

The Clara James Approach to learning My child has little confidence in learningIs your child struggling with low confidence in their learning? You’re not alone and there are gentle, effective ways to help them rebuild self-belief.In this video, Dawn from Clara James Tutoring shares calming, heart-led strategies to help children who’ve lost their academic confidence. From starting with strengths to turning learning into play, you’ll discover how to create a safe, supportive space where confidence can grow.✨ Simple, creative games to reduce pressure✨ How to praise effort in a meaningful, authentic way✨ The power of letting your child be the teacher✨ Why yo...

2025-08-0117 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Is tutoring easy money? The considerations people don't want to talk aboutIn this episode, I dive into a common but loaded question: “Is tutoring easy money?” I will try to be honest yet warmth, and with over a decade of lived experience, I will unpack the hidden hours, emotional investment, and behind-the-scenes prep that go far beyond the lesson itself. From myths like “if you can teach, you can tutor” to moments of deep reward and quiet frustration, this is a must-listen for anyone wondering if tutoring could be a quick win, or a meaningful path. Whether you’re thinking of tutoring casually or building a long-term bu...

2025-07-2325 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting Children Who Learn Differently: What to Ask When Considering a TutorIn this episode, we talk about what to look for in a tutor when your child doesn’t learn in the traditional way. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you simply know that school hasn’t worked for them, this is for you. We'll cover how tutoring can be adapted to support children with learning differences, how to recognise flexibility in a tutor's approach, and why emotional safety is just as important as subject knowledge.You can also read the full article on our website: https://clarajamestutoring.co.uk/my-child-learns-differentlyor email me on...

2025-07-1619 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Do I need to be a qualified teacher to become a tutor? 🤔The short answer? No — you don’t need to be a qualified teacher to make a real difference as a tutor. At Clara James Tutoring, we believe what matters most is your passion, your ability to explain things clearly, and your desire to support children who learn a little differently.In this blog, we break down what really counts when starting your tutoring journey — and how you can get started with confidence. 👉 Read it here: https://clarajamestutoring.co.uk/do-i-need-to-be-a-qualified-teacher🎁 Ready to take the first step? Grab your Start Tutoring with Confidence pack here:

2025-07-0916 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Multiplying by 9I love the 9x table because there are so many hints to help you to solve the questions. Things like when you hold your hands out in front of you, put the finger related to the number you are multiplying by down, and your answer is there in front of you, or by writing it down you can check your answers as they all line up and go up by 1, down by 1 each time. Or the quick check that you can do: 7x9 =63 6+3 =9. Your answer must be right! So simple. Or by knowing that 4x9, take the 4 and subtract 1...

2025-07-0204 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Keep taking small steps forward - even when you think no one else is listeningIn this week’s episode, I’m sharing something a little more personal. After recording several weekly episodes and seeing very few listens, I found myself wondering if anyone’s actually out there — and whether it’s worth continuing.If you’ve ever started something new — a business, a blog, a course — and felt like you were shouting into the void, this is for you.I talk about what it’s like to keep showing up when you’re naturally introverted, when you feel overlooked, and when it seems like louder voices always get the attention.But...

2025-06-2503 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Why Confidence Is Just as Important as Knowing the Answer In this episode, we explore the idea that confidence is just as important as knowing the answer. So often, children feel like they’re “bad at maths” or “not good at English” simply because they lack belief in themselves. But when we nurture their confidence, we help them to engage more willingly, take more risks, and enjoy learning again. Through real-life examples and gentle insights, we talk about how parents and tutors can build a child’s self-belief — and why this can have just as much impact as academic revision.

2025-06-1805 min

The Clara James Approach to learning This week in Clara James TutoringI had intended chatting about something different, but my editing software wouldn't work and I was creating this as well, so I thought why not...This week has been a great week with the proof copy "Become a Tutor" dropping through the door yesterday. I have also been working on the platform for those looking to take up tutoring and we are also intending to take the Clara James Approach from what it is to an entire platform to support primary school aged neurodiverse children in maths. I know that's niche, but if I can achieve it...

2025-06-1104 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Prime NumbersPrime numbers are numbers with only two factors. This basically means numbers which you will only find in the 1 times table of their own times table. For example, 5 is prime because it is only in the 5- and 1-times table, where are 10 is in the 1, 2, 5, 10 times tables so it wouldn’t be prime.If you are practicing the prime numbers (I’ll put a 100 number grid in the 11+ resources today) create a visual table to help you to solve them quickly until you gain confidence.Start by colouring square number 1. This is not prime as it i...

2025-06-0404 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Tales from Tutoring: The good, the bad and the unforgettable...The Realities of Tutoring — Triumphs, Challenges & Unexpected LessonsIn this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal collection of stories from my years as a tutor — the lessons learned, the battles fought, and the beautiful breakthroughs that make it all worthwhile. From the lad who initially refused help and went on to achieve top grades, to the young girl who locked herself in the loo rather than have a lesson — these moments shaped my journey in ways I never expected.There’s laughter, frustration, and the occasional chewed-up Doc Marten, but above all, there’s th...

2025-05-2813 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Trying to remove the dread of reading out loud... I was talking about reading the other day with a mum. Very often the challenge isn’t just in finding something that they are willing to read, but in the actual act of reading itself. A lot of children struggle with reading. Especially reading out loud. All enjoyment goes out of the story as all you can think about is the effort of what is to come. Sounding our words, recognising letters, remembering what the story was about, keeping your place in the text. And people regard this as fun, how!!Since the begi...

2025-05-2106 min

The Clara James Approach to learning 3 stupid things I did when I first started tutoringWhen I started Clara James Tutoring back in 2012, my background was education not business and I was incredibly susceptible to mistakes and being led on a wild goose chase... So, from trying to keep the business quiet to nearly being scammed out of over £13k these are 3 things I did when I started tutoring. I hope by speaking frankly and honestly you will not judge but instead stop and think and not make the same mistakes as I did when you get started or look to grow your business.

2025-05-1414 min

The Clara James Approach to learning The importance of play into learning and boosting confidenceThere's a few things that I'm opinionated on and the importance of making learning fun and relevant comes very high up on that list.When I started studying supporting different learning styles over 25 years ago, one of the things I learned was the importance of creating multiple memories so that it is easier to recall the information when it is needed. Although it was obvious, it wasn't something I had ever given much thought to.But I also firmly believe that the way we learn is unique to each of us as individuals. We all...

2025-05-0708 min

The Clara James Approach to learning How I Started My Tutoring Business with No Confidence and Built It Anyway"you're not as clever as your brother", "I don't think you have what it takes to work in a school", "who are you to teach me?!"Confidence is not a strong point of mind, I have this huge sense of inadequacy. But when a friend suggested I start tutoring I didn't have the confidence to keep putting her off, so in the end I agreed. That was back in 2012 and the company has grown so much since then. (My confidence hasn't but that's work in progress). If you lack confidence and you're considering becoming a tutor, maybe...

2025-04-3010 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting a primary school child with comprehensionI was asked the other day about supporting a 10 year old with comprehension. My initial response was to brain dump everything then use that as a guide to pull it all together..However, here is my actual advice. I hope it helps. (I created this podcast as a recording of the monthly zoom call within the Clara James Approach. Each month, you can ask a question based around supporting your primary school aged child with their maths or English and we will do our best to help.)I hope you find this helpful. I...

2025-02-1905 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Our hope is to give you even better supportNot everyone has a printer...So, we have introduced a premium level to the Clara James Approach so that we can send you a printed copy of the resources each month with a few other extra bonuses.You would also have access to a 1-to-1 monthly call if you wanted it and the leadership board so that your efforts and progress can be publicly acknowledged (again if wanted).We have endeavoured to keep the price as low as possible, so anyone that joins us now would have the price locked in at £9.97/month with the ability t...

2025-01-2906 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Building confidence in maths with your child at homeI think many of us have a fear of maths which we then unintentionally pass on to our children.However, there are things we can do which will help avoid that fear. A big part of that is to make it creative, fun, quality time that you can share together, yet on other occasions find the opportunity to incorporate it into everyday life through things like baking.I hope this video proves helpful and inspires youhttps://theclarajamesapproach.co.uk/c...#parenting #maths #primaryeducation #homeeducation

2024-11-0608 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Effective Revision Techniques for your GCSE examsIn this episode, we dive into revision strategies for English, tackling both general revision tips and specific advice for English subjects. Whether you’re just starting your revision journey or looking for ways to boost your effectiveness, this episode offers practical tips to help you get the most out of your study time.Revision Techniques:We start by discussing how to make revision more engaging and effective. Using multiple colours can stimulate your brain and make your notes more visually appealing, helping with memory retention. We also talk about the importance of planning—knowing exactly what you’...

2024-10-2113 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Interview with Claire: A GCSE English Teacher and ExaminerClaire is amazing, with 10 years of experience under her belt there's not a huge amount she doesn't seem to know and she's also happy to share her knowledge which I am truly thankful for.In this episode she share some of her insights into preparing for and sitting the English Language paper.I hope you find it helpful#EnglishLanguage #GCSEEnglish#GCSErevision#Homeeducation#AQAEnglishLanguage#ClaraJamesTutoring#ClaireHarwood

2024-09-1640 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Multiplying 11 by double digitsA few weeks ago, I was working with a lad, he’s brilliant, he’s just finished his GCSEs. We had just a couple of minutes left of the lesson, so we decided on a game of times-tables-noughts-and-crosses.I pulled up the grid and asked what he’d like to multiply by. He answered 11.Considering he was doing the higher paper I agreed but thought I’d ‘be clever’ and make the numbers in the grid double digits to make it harder.But he was still answering them within a flash.I asked if h...

2024-06-1902 min

The Clara James Approach to learning A quick tip for GCSE English Literature - analysing the textsThis is a tip I was given by a lad I was working with last year. It was a suggestion made to him by his English teacher at school. I thought I would pass it on to you as well.I hope it helps. Good luck with the exams

2024-05-1403 min

The Clara James Approach to learning The Customer JourneyImagine a family has decided to take the plunge and invest in a tutor for their child. It’s not something they’ve ever done before and they’re not sure what to expect. There are so many tutors out there. How should they decide!There are (in all likelihood) two main possible routes that they might take.They might get onto social media and ask for recommendations.Alternatively, they might head to Google and search for tutors in their area.Either way, if they come across you, they will probably end up...

2024-05-0108 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Into the Negative Zone: Demystifying Negative NumbersWelcome to the Clara James Podcast, where we delve into Maths, English, and tutoring. Today's focus is on negative numbers, a topic that stumps many students.Let’s use an analogy involving earth mounds and holes to understand negative numbers better. For instance, if you have 5 meters of earth and remove 3 meters, you're left with 2 meters – simple subtraction. But when subtracting a larger number from a smaller one like 3 minus 5, imagine digging below ground level; this result is -2 because you've gone two meters past zero.Adding negatives can be visualised similarly: starting in a hole...

2024-04-0811 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Learning individual letter soundsToday, let's talk about teaching children the sounds of individual letters like 'a' instead of just their names. This is crucial because when kids learn to read, knowing the sound 'a' makes in words like "apple" is more helpful than simply recognising it as part of the ABCs.In my experience with young learners, including a boy who moved back to England and had to relearn English letters after being abroad, focusing on letter sounds first can be beneficial for many children.A fun activity is creating a scrapbook where each page represents a different...

2024-03-2505 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominatorGood morning, welcome back to our podcast. I was absent last week due to a business retreat and personal celebrations. The highlight from the retreat was a realisation: I can sell our tutoring franchise because selling is simply solving someone's problem, which I do when discussing how we help your child with their maths or English.We discussed franchising costs—£3,000 initially plus £100 monthly for training—which feels right for me. So stay tuned; my first franchise sale may happen soon!Switching gears to academics, many children seem to be working on fractions at school at the mo...

2024-03-1804 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting your child in telling the timeToday, let's talk about telling time. March's bundle from James' cloud series focuses on this skill, so it seemed fitting to discuss it here too.I work with a boy who struggles to tell time. He relies on his phone or Alexa but doesn't see the need for learning analogue clocks since digital displays are everywhere – in schools and even during exams. However, many parents still value teaching their children this traditional skill for situations where technology might not be available.When helping your child learn to tell time, start with the basics: seasons, months, da...

2024-03-0406 min

The Clara James Approach to learning English Language Paper 2 (AQA)Welcome to the Clara James Tutoring Podcast. In recent English language paper 2 prep, we've tackled four key questions: identifying facts, comparing texts, analysing language use, and another comparison. Then there’s section B—writing persuasive pieces like letters or articles. Remember two crucial tips: Use appropriate language for your audience and ensure proper layout—formal for officials in a letter format or relaxed for peers in an article with catchy headlines.Always align your writing style and structure with what's asked of you. For comparative tasks in section A, balance your focus between both sources to scor...

2024-02-2605 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting readingHello and welcome! I'm Dawn from Clara James Tutoring. With World Book Day approaching, many parents are concerned because their children dislike reading. My oldest daughter wasn't keen on it either.At Clara James, we've developed a game called the Dotty Board Game to make reading fun and less intimidating. The game involves sharing reading tasks among players as they move around a board with coloured dots—each colour represents who reads next.The point is not to stress over when your turn will come but to enjoy the process together. Remember, kids don't have to...

2024-02-1810 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Supporting spellingsHello. Recently, I've discussed with parents the challenges of learning and retaining spelling skills. My advice is to make the process colourful, creative, and interactive to engage different parts of the brain.One method is using multiple colours when writing words – a different colour for each letter and varying fonts can help create distinct visual cues. Drawing related images next to words further strengthens memory by adding context.For active learning, painting with water on outdoor surfaces or using chalk can be effective since it involves larger movements. Using materials that are temporary like chalk or...

2024-02-1213 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Revising MathsHello, I hope you're having a good day. Many parents reach out to me after exam results are released, concerned about their child's revision strategies. To help, I've compiled some tips based on my experience in education and tutoring.Firstly, it’s crucial to lay the groundwork for effective studying. I'm preparing a downloadable PDF tailored for the GCSE syllabus; if it's not yet available when you see this, email me at info@clajamestutoring.co.uk and I'll send it to you.Start by listing topics and rating your confidence level next to each one: un...

2024-02-0117 min

The Clara James Approach to learning JengaJenga. How is Jenga relevant to maths or English?I had to ask myself how I could make it relevant, and actually over the past couple of years since it was first suggested as a handwriting aid, we have found multiple ways to incorporate it into both maths and English for both younger students and, believe it or not, GCSE students.In this podcast we will talk you through how you can incorporate times-tables, number bonds, punctuation, grammatical terminology, into this fun (and slightly addictive) game.

2024-01-2905 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Calculating the times tablesHello. Today, I'll discuss times tables as they're fundamental to math, and without them, advancing in math is difficult. It's important for children to have multiple ways of recalling information rather than relying on repetitive worksheets.Parents can help by using various methods like card games or tic-tac-toe with times tables questions. These engaging activities reinforce learning in a fun way.When teaching times tables, it’s better not to follow the order 1-12 but start with easy ones like 2s, 5s, 10s, and then move onto tricks for others like the nines. For instance, wh...

2024-01-2215 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Revision TechniquesBefore Christmas, I spoke with parents about creating revision plans for their kids.So, I thought revision would be a good place to start with these Podcasts as exams catch up with all of us at some stage...I think one of the key things we need our kids to grasp is 'why.' Encouraging them to identify their motivation sets a foundation for focused and purpose-driven study habits. For some it may just be about getting through the exams so that they never need to do that subject again, for others it’s about co...

2024-01-1111 min

The Clara James Approach to learning Welcome to the Clara James Podcast!Welcome to the first Clara James podcast, aimed at helping you support children's learning. Whether they're yours or not, as a tutor, a parent, or teacher, we'll discuss adapting resources for better accessibility.Years ago in math class, I struggled with something we were learning until my dad used apples and scales to explain it. That personal approach made all the difference. Recognizing that each child is unique—whether they have ADHD, autism, or other challenges—it's crucial to tailor our methods accordingly.I began my career in childcare over two decades ago while raising thre...

2024-01-0413 min

The Disenfranchised Bringing Fun Into Learning - Dawn Strachan - Clara James TutoringWhen learning is enjoyable, it sparks curiosity and enthusiasm. Infusing elements of enjoyment into education, helps children to embrace continuous learning as a lifelong journey rather than a frustrating task that they are being told they have to complete. It’s something that this week's guest Dawn Strachan Founder of Clara James Tutoring is passionate about and shares her thoughts on in the latest episode of The Disenfranchised Podcast. We also talk about: Personalising tutoring Growing a business from scratch ...

2023-08-1742 min

Shifting Perspectives Episode 43: Pandemic Reflections: A Physician's Perspective (with Dr. Dawn Perry Ewing)In early April I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Dawn Perry Ewing. Dr. Perry has been practicing as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and senior administrative physician in the Turks and Caicos Islands Since 2001. This episode was recorded just after the one year mark of the first diagnosed COVID 19 case in the TCI. We discussed what the first days of the pandemic were like, all the way up to the present. Dr. Perry shed light on many issues related to vaccine hesitancy as well as shared with us what it has been like for health care...

2021-05-081h 09

Scottish Wrestling Network Untitled Wrestling Podcast by SWN #8 | Dawn DevlinBilly chats with Dawn Devlin, her time as a referee, wrestling training, anime and thoughts on the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble plus loads more! *Check out SPRKIX Apparel *Visit http://sprkix.com and use code ‘SWN’ at checkout *10% off your order! SPRKIX manufactures pro wrestling apparel and streetwear so look even cooler than you already do while listening to the SWN Podcast.

2021-01-261h 27

SWN Podcast Untitled Wrestling Podcast by SWN #8 | Dawn DevlinBilly chats with Dawn Devlin, her time as a referee, wrestling training, anime and thoughts on the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble plus loads more! *Check out SPRKIX Apparel *Visit http://sprkix.com and use code ‘SWN’ at checkout *10% off your order! SPRKIX manufactures pro wrestling apparel and streetwear so look even cooler than you already do while listening to the SWN Podcast.

2021-01-261h 27