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Who We’re Looking For — As Clara James Prepares to Grow

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February 26, 2026•2 min read

Who We’re Looking For As Clara James Tutoring Prepares to Grow

Today I’ve been working on something that feels more important than pricing, systems or marketing plans.

I’ve been defining who we are looking for.

Because as Clara James prepares to open the franchise this summer, I don’t want to simply “sell opportunities.” I want to protect the ethos that has taken over a decade to build.

When I first started tutoring, I didn’t have a grand business plan. I had children of my own, a shaken confidence, and a deep awareness that not every child fits neatly into a classroom system. That belief has shaped everything Clara James has become.

What we do at Clara James Tutoring works

So the question I’ve been asking myself today is this:

What makes a good Clara James franchisee?

It’s not just someone who can teach maths or English.

It’s not even just someone who understands neurodiversity.

First and foremost, it’s someone who cares.

Someone who genuinely believes that children deserve to be supported as individuals, not processed through worksheets and systems that may not suit them.

Someone who is willing to adapt.
Someone who is reflective.
Someone who wants to grow.

Of course this is a business. Ambition matters. Financial sustainability matters. But I have never built Clara James on “quick wins.” It has always been about asking what is best for the children we are supporting? How can we improve this?

The right franchisee might be:

A teacher looking for more flexibility.

A parent who has navigated the education system with a neurodiverse child.
Someone rebuilding their confidence after stepping away from their career.
Someone quietly ambitious who wants to build something meaningful.

They will be organised.
They will be professional.
They will be open to feedback.
They will understand that support works both ways.

Because a franchise is not about handing over a logo and wishing someone luck. It is about building something together with shared standards and shared responsibility.

Over the coming months I’ll be refining the systems, the training and the support structure. But today was a reminder that culture matters more than any of that.

When the Clara James franchise becomes available this summer, it won’t be for everyone.

But, if you’re reading this and something resonates, I’d love to hear from you. Early conversations are already beginning.

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Dawn Strachan

For the past 20+ years I have been a firm believer that learning should be an enjoyable experience. I appreciate that traditionally education has revolved around worksheets, textbooks, listening to teachers. But a grounding in early years and working with children who had a variety of learning styles from I learned that it is an individual activity that is personal to all of us. We don’t all learn in the same way. Our influences, our experiences, our capabilities all influence how we retain information. But through it all, I believe that if we can make it enjoyable and engaging, they will want to participate. With participation comes practice which in turn boosts skill and confidence. With an increase in skill and confidence comes a willingness to have a go. This in turn leads to more practice which leads to a positive spiral of success. The moral, we need to make learning fun, engaging, use a range of techniques.

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