Clara James Tutoring

This week I'm on a marketing cruise so that I can learn how to support more people. This morning we had to stand on stage and introduce myself/Clara James.
Am I the worst public speaker in creation? Probably, yes.
Will I do what us necessary to get the business where it needs to be so... I'll try

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀?
It’s a tricky decision. Most kids don’t want to do the read, cover, write, check: it’s boring…
Most parents don’t want their children spending more time online. In fact, most parents are trying to get their children off screen time and if the school suggests practising the spellings online that is really unhelpful!

So, what do you do?

I wrote this blog a morning with some of our most popular spelling games in. (The link is in the comments below). I hope the ideas prove helpful

Did you know we did a weekly email with ideas to support your child at home?

On a Monday, we focus on supporting primary aged children, on a Thursday it is aimed at KS3 and 4, though there is often some crossover.

If you would like to receive it, DM me with your email address and I'll happily make sure you get it. You can unsubscribe at any time

As schools go back next week, what support would your child appreciate in their maths or English, or with the preparation for their summer exams?

2024 was a fantastic year, both personally and as a business.
4 years ago we decided to franchise the company and for 4 years I tried to put my heart into it but my self confidence just kept batting it away. Then a chance conversation in a mentoring call reminded me that the aspect of tutoring I actually enjoy is the supporting parents, creating resources, working with the kids. I've learned a lot about growing a business, but that's not where my heart is.
So, I decided to put the breaks on the franchise and move forward rather than being stuck in rut not getting anywhere.
My focus went back to the membership group I had created and we now have 100 members (101 to be precise).
It's still small, but I can see the light, especially as this year we are hoping to take it to the next level and introduce a children's book club and a premium membership of £9.97 so you can have the resources posted to you (rather than just available online to download) and a monthly 1-to-1 phone call if wanted to support you on guiding your child through something.
I feel I'm back in the hot seat and I feel so proud of what is to come. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this, please do pass it on.
The link is in the comments below if you would like to learn more.
Happy New Year, it's going to be a good one!




parents

When you do your English Language GCSE paper try to use a variety of words rather than repeating the same one. So, for example, instead of saying the author shows us, try using the author presents, reveals, expresses, illustrates, or demonstrates or maybe rephrase the sentence so that it reads something link: This example shows how, or this example demonstrates, etc.
Try creating a word bank as part of your revision that you can carry in your mind on the day and just incorporate into your paragraph as you see fit.

Do you remember sitting in the classroom at school waiting with dread and anticipation your turn at reading. You can't focus on what is being read by everyone else, your mind is just on the fear of what a fool you might make of yourself...
Since I started Clara James we have played the dotty board game. It is a board with 3x6 different images or spots spread around the board. Each player can move in any direction, but if anyone lands on your chosen colour you have to read a paragraph, page, chapter, whatever is appropriate. If anyone lands on their colour/image they have to read. The third dot/image is a forfeit: read another page, go back 3 spaces, have another go, miss a go, etc.
The goal is to make the task into a game, removing the focus from the dread of what to come to the joy of competing to see who can make the other read the most.
In addition by sharing the reading it means that they can enjoy the story too.
With each book we dive into I will create one appropriate to that book.
if you are a premium member it will be posted out to you with your other monthly resources.
Interested?
Drop me a message and I will get back to you asap

This year, 2025 we have decided to grow & improve our membership group by incorporating a book club. Each month we will focus on the next chapter from a book incorporating a range of resources to help your child to interact with the book and bring it to life.

With fewer children spending time engaging in books hopefully this will help to enlighten that love.

On Christmas Day we went to Hay’s house, then on Boxing Day we went to Clara’s. After Alf had gone to bed, we played the game where you put a person’s name on your forehead, and you have to try and guess who that person is. Dan got Donkey from Shrek; mum got Dan. The pain they went through trying to guess was hilarious.
But I had a thought whilst we were playing.
Firstly, if you are revising your set texts for English Lit you could use the character’s names from the books and ask questions to try and work out who it is. If you used all three books the questions you would have to ask would have to go quite deep. (I think you’d have to state that you couldn’t ask if you were a character from say Jekyll & Hyde, but you could ask your gender, occupation, where you live, etc. I think it could be good fun and the level of thought you would have to go to in order to guess would make it quite tricky.

I hope you have had a brilliant Christmas and now 2025 is creeping up on us.

Have a go at this word search to brace yourself for the celebrations to come.

Enjoy and happy new year, I hope it's a good one

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thank you to every family, every tutor, Sarah, Hannah, Erika, Angela, everyone who has supported Clara James this year, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Have a very merry Christmas, I hope it brings you everything you ask for and a brilliant 2025.

Warmest wishes and merry Christmas,
Dawn

Hi,

now it's the holidays, if you are looking for something to entertain your child these 3 resources might help. You can download them using the link in the comments below.

Have a great start to the week

Merry Christmas

What books would you like Santa to bring you or your family down your chimney this year?

At Christmastime, when the lights shine bright,
And homes are filled with love, joy, and delight,
There’s magic found not just in play,
But in moments we share along the way.

With books and games, we can explore,
Times tables, spellings, and so much more.
Through laughter and learning, side by side,
We build their confidence, their knowledge, their source of pride.

No need for tears or frustration’s call,
When fun and support can conquer it all.
A dice to roll, a game to play,
Turns maths and English into a brighter day.

So gather together, a moment to treasure,
Learning disguised as holiday pleasure.
The memories made in this festive season,
Will last far beyond any yuletide reason.

From Clara James, a wish to you,
A Christmas filled with laughter too.
Enjoy this time with your little star,
Supporting their dreams, no matter how far.

Merry Christmas x

I hope the end of term has gone well and for those who have done their mocks I hope they too went well.
Now time to sit back and enjoy the holidays.
Merry Christmas to you all x