The Education Business Podcast

Claire Riley
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The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

  1. Matt Wilkinson: Charging Your Worth: From FE Teacher to Tutoring Business Owner

    2D AGO

    Matt Wilkinson: Charging Your Worth: From FE Teacher to Tutoring Business Owner

    Overview In this episode of The Education Business Podcast, Claire Riley is joined by Matt Wilkinson, founder of Restart Tuition. Matt shares his journey from FE lecturer to business owner, the reality of building a tutoring company, and the mindset shifts required to grow sustainably. They explore how to move from “doing everything” to focusing on the right clients, why undercharging harms both tutors and learners, and how word of mouth, local reputation, and systems can transform a small tutoring practice into a scalable business. Matt also discusses leadership, networking beyond the tutoring bubble, and why charging your true value creates more opportunity—not less—for impact. This is an essential listen for tutors and education founders who want to grow with confidence, clarity, and purpose.   00:00 – Word of Mouth 00:01 – Intro 00:02 – Matt’s Journey 00:04 – Leadership Growth 00:05 – Starting Restart Tuition 00:06 – Building the Business 00:08 – Team & Structure 00:10 – Local Authority Work 00:12 – Business Focus 00:14 – Systems & Safeguarding 00:16 – Growth Challenges 00:17 – Focus vs Fear 00:18 – Referrals & Marketing 00:21 – Income & Security 00:22 – Money Mindset 00:24 – Pricing & Value 00:29 – Belief vs Reality 00:31 – Boundaries 00:33 – Networking 00:35 – Perspective Shift 00:36 – Leadership 00:37 – Close   All About Matt:Matt Wilkinson is the founder of Restart Tuition Ltd. He is a maths teacher and tutor with extensive experience supporting learners across GCSE Maths and Functional Skills. Matt built Restart Tuition to help young people gain confidence in both Maths and English, particularly those who feel anxious, stuck, or behind. His approach is confidence-led and designed to reduce overwhelm, close gaps in learning, and help students make steady, lasting progress.Website: www.restarttuition.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwilkinsonedu/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/restarttuition/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  2. John Nichols: The Uncomfortable Truths of Teaching, Tutoring, and Entrepreneurship

    FEB 9

    John Nichols: The Uncomfortable Truths of Teaching, Tutoring, and Entrepreneurship

    What really happens when a teacher leaves the classroom and builds an education business? In this episode, Claire Riley is joined by John Nichols, President of The Tutors’ Association and founder of an international education consultancy, to unpack the uncomfortable truths about teaching, tutoring, and entrepreneurship in education. John shares his unconventional journey from Teach First science teacher to full-time tutor, and eventually to leading one of the UK’s most influential professional bodies in tuition. Along the way, he talks candidly about why classroom teaching didn’t suit him, why tutoring worked immediately, and why many education businesses struggle when they try to scale — especially in edtech. This is a grounded, no-hype conversation about responsiveness, mindset shifts, boundaries, and what teachers must unlearn if they want to succeed in business. If you’re a former teacher building (or thinking of building) an education business, this episode will challenge how you think about work, value, and impact.   00:01:30 - John’s Exit from Teaching 00:05:20 - Discovering Tutoring — and Earning More Fast 00:11:40 - Teaching vs Tutoring: What Actually Changes 00:06:30 - From Tutor to Business Owner 00:07:30 - The Reality of Building an EdTech Company 00:17:40 - Managing Multiple Roles and Businesses 00:20:30 - Teams, Expectations, and Cultural Differences 00:28:30 - Responsiveness as a Business Superpower 00:35:00 - The Future of Education and Private Provision   All About John:John Nichols is a former teacher, tutor, President of The Tutors' Association (TTA) and co-founder of the education technology and consulting company, Get My Grades Limited. He has a wealth of experience in education with over 13,000 hours of personal teaching experience, as well as having implemented a high-impact educational technology programme to over 27,000 students in Africa and delivering impactful teacher training based on modern cognitive science and its practical application in the classroom. As elected President of The Tutors' Association since 2020, John led on the sectoral engagement with the DfE and its contracted delivery partners in the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) and has created and implemented the international growth strategy and led engagement with UNESCO, UK Government departments (DfE, DBT and HMRC) as well as with education stakeholders in the UK and around the world.Website: https://thetutorsassociation.org.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-nichols-2556693b/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  3. Darren Norman: The Gradual Shift from Teacher to Business Owner

    FEB 2

    Darren Norman: The Gradual Shift from Teacher to Business Owner

    Podcast Overview What happens when a teacher starts questioning the relevance of what’s being taught — and decides to do something about it? In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, host Claire Riley is joined by Darren Norman, founder of Headline Maths, who shares his journey from a 17-year teaching career to building an education business rooted in real-world relevance. Darren talks honestly about the mindset shift from teacher to business owner, the fear and self-doubt that comes with leaving a stable career, and why feedback from schools has become the most valuable driver of his product’s growth. He also explains the thinking behind Headline Maths: using current news stories to help students finally answer the question, “When am I ever going to use this?” This episode is especially valuable for teachers who are curious about starting a business, founders who are early in their journey, and anyone wrestling with confidence, relevance, or making the leap into something new.   00:00 Introduction 01:20 Darren’s teaching career background 02:45 “Why do we need to know this?” 03:30 The idea behind Headline Maths 06:00 Leaving teaching & working alone 07:10 Fear, stability & self-doubt 08:00 Creating structure as a solo founder 09:10 Misconceptions about education businesses 11:00 Feedback from schools 13:00 Handling feedback emotionally 15:00 Growth plans & future vision 16:30 Teacher vs business owner identity 17:30 Making maths meaningful for students 21:00 Final advice for new founders All About Darren: A teacher of 17 years specialising in Maths, with experience teaching PE and Science. He spent over 10 years in SEN schools before moving to Spain mid-Covid for a change, teaching Maths in an International School, where he became Head of Department for the Secondary School. He fell into teaching Maths when a sports club placement during university fell through, leading him to a special school where he stayed for 6 years as both a TA and teacher. He volunteered to teach Maths to cover a maternity post and discovered a lasting passion for the subject. He did not come to Maths naturally, which has shaped his ability to break concepts into clear, manageable steps and make the subject more accessible. Over time, he grew tired of hearing the same questions from students: “what’s the point?” and “when will I ever need this?” He saw that traditional exam content and textbooks often felt irrelevant, which led him to create a clear purpose — to Make Maths Meaningful by helping students see its real value and presence in everyday life. He now teaches Maths privately online and is building Headline Maths, while still based in Spain. A keen sportsman, he has represented GB Teachers in Rugby League and made an unofficial appearance for Spain. Now retired from competitive sport, he keeps active through running, cycling, and swimming. He lives on the coast south of Valencia with his girlfriend, who is a primary school teacher and leader. He is looking to grow the Headline Maths client list across the UK and internationally, with the aim of changing how students perceive Maths. Website: www.headlinemaths.comInstagram: @headline_mathsFacebook: Headline Maths See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
  4. Aidan Severs: From Classroom to Education Consultancy

    JAN 26

    Aidan Severs: From Classroom to Education Consultancy

    Overview In this episode of The Education Business Podcast, host Claire Riley speaks with education consultant Aidan Severs about his journey from classroom teacher and school leader to running his own education business. Aidan shares how blogging, leadership roles, and consultancy work helped him find his niche, as well as the personal and professional challenges that shaped his decision to go independent. The conversation explores balancing family life with entrepreneurship, redefining success beyond income, and practical advice for teachers considering starting their own education business.   00:00 – Introduction to the podcast 02:00 – Aidan’s journey into teaching 04:30 – Discovering a passion for educational research 06:30 – From school leadership to consultancy 09:00 – COVID and personal challenges 14:00 – Rebalancing work and family life 17:00 – How life experiences shape his work 22:00 – Advice for new education entrepreneurs 30:00 – Making yourself known 33:00 – Final reflections and purpose 36:00 – Closing   All about AidanWith 20 years of experience in education, Aidan takes a holistic approach to primary education, collaborating with leaders and teachers on ensuring they get the very best for the children they teach.Website: www.aidansevers.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/aidanseversconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aidan-seversFacebook: facebook.com/AidanSevers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min
  5. Lisa Haycox: From Tutor to CEO

    JAN 19

    Lisa Haycox: From Tutor to CEO

    In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, Claire is joined by Lisa Haycox, Chief Executive Officer of Explore Learning. Appointed CEO in April 2025, Lisa has grown with the organisation for more than two decades, joining in 2002 as a tutor and progressing through senior leadership roles across operations, product, and strategy. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer, she led Explore Learning’s digital transformation during COVID-19, helping the organisation continue to support learners during a period of significant change. Throughout the conversation, Lisa reflects on what it means to grow an education business while staying true to its core purpose. She shares how shared values, trust, and long-term thinking have shaped both her leadership journey and the culture of the organisation. We explore the importance of empowerment, responsibility, and keeping learners at the heart of decision-making as the business scales. This episode is a thoughtful discussion about values-led leadership, growing alongside a business, and building lasting impact in education.   00:00 Introduction 01:02 From tutor to Explore Learning 02:45 Early opportunities and saying yes 04:55 Growing alongside the business 07:20 Shared values and trust in leadership 10:40 Doubt, ambition, and scaling challenges 13:50 Leading through COVID and digital change 15:35 Learning from peers, mentors, and experience 17:50 The worst leadership advice 19:55 Stepping into the CEO role 22:20 Founder ambitions and long-term growth 24:40 Purpose, joy, and staying grounded 27:35 Final reflections and close   All About Lisa: Lisa Haycox is the Chief Executive Officer of Explore Learning, appointed in April 2025. With over two decades of experience at Explore Learning, Lisa has held a range of senior leadership roles across operations, product, and strategy. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, where she led the company’s digital transformation during COVID-19, strengthened its marketing and brand positioning, and shaped its commercial growth strategy. Lisa joined Explore Learning in 2002 as a tutor and has since played a pivotal role in scaling the organisation while maintaining its core educational mission. She is a graduate of London Business School’s Leading Businesses into the Future programme and is recognised for her strategic vision, operational rigour, and deep understanding of the education sector. Lisa is now focused on leading Explore Learning through its next phase of growth, combining innovation, digital advancement, and customer-centricity to deliver long-term impact for learners.Website: www.explorelearning.co.ukInstagram: @explorelearning_officialLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-haycox-58800224/Facebook:@explorelearning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  6. Ian Hunter: Breaking into International Education Markets

    JAN 12

    Ian Hunter: Breaking into International Education Markets

    Episode Overview In this episode, Claire Riley is joined by Ian Hunter, founder of Lyme Education Consulting, to explore how education businesses can successfully expand into international markets. With over 27 years in edtech and global education, Ian shares practical insights on trust, localisation, market research, and common mistakes to avoid when going global. All About Ian:Ian has worked in the EdTech market for over 25 years and has worked for some of the largest education companies in the world including Tes Global, Discovery Education and RM Education. As Global Director, Sales Director or Commercial Director he has been responsible for driving growth across a range of EdTech products and services to schools, colleges, Universities and Ministries of Education globally.Website: https://www.limeedu.co.uk/LinkedIn: ianhunter7X: @ianlhunter   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  7. Joshua Perry: Insights from Multiple Edtech Ventures

    JAN 5

    Joshua Perry: Insights from Multiple Edtech Ventures

    Navigating the EdTech Landscape: Insights from Multiple Ventures In this episode, Claire Riley, co-founder of Classroom Secrets, talks with Joshua, a seasoned entrepreneur in the education sector. Joshua shares his journey from children's publishing to running multiple education businesses, including Smartgrade and Carousel. He highlights key lessons learned, such as the importance of understanding market size, unit economics, and the needs of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs). Joshua also discusses the significance of building a smart team, offering flexibility, and consulting with people with in-depth classroom experience. He emphasises the value of learning from mistakes and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs. 00:00 Introduction to the Education Business Podcast 01:10 Meet Joshua: A Journey in Education Business 01:53 From Publishing to EdTech: Joshua's Career Path 04:56 The Birth of Smartgrade and Carousel  06:53 Challenges and Strategies in EdTech  16:53 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture 24:05 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Future Plans 28:12 Final Thoughts and Advice for Education Entrepreneurs   All about Joshua: Joshua is an edtech entrepreneur and assessment enthusiast. His latest ventures are Smartgrade (an assessment standardisation platform) and Carousel (a quizzing and retrieval practice tool). Prior to Assembly Josh was part of the leadership team at Ark Schools, a Multi Academy Trust. He also founded Assembly, a school data platform. In his spare time Josh writes a blog about school MIS and edtech called Bring More Data.Website: smartgrade.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaperryuk/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  8. Tip: The Importance of Context in Leading Your Education Business

    12/10/2025

    Tip: The Importance of Context in Leading Your Education Business

    The Importance of Context in Leading Your Education Business In this episode of the Education Business Podcast, Claire Riley, co-founder of Classroom Secrets, discusses the pivotal role of providing context to your team members in an education business. She explains how context helps improve team efficiency and outcomes, sharing insights from her own experience and interactions with other education business leaders. Key points include striking a balance with information sharing, the benefits of providing context, and practical advice for ensuring your team has a comprehensive understanding of business decisions. Sponsored by Classroom Secrets, the podcast aims to equip education entrepreneurs with tools to grow their businesses. 00:00 Welcome to the Education Business Podcast 00:55 The Importance of Context in Business 01:20 Sharing Context with Your Team  02:35 The Impact of Context on Team Performance 03:26 Conclusion and Sponsor Message See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    4 min
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The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

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