Tutoring the World with Sarah Capewell

In this episode, I’m joined by Lauren and Rachel, the powerhouse duo behind LARA Tuition, to talk about how they’ve built a thriving international tutoring business by combining their strengths and staying true to their values. We dive into their journey, lessons learned, and what it really takes to grow a global brand in today’s education market.

In this insightful episode of Tutoring the World, we’re joined by two powerhouse professionals in the international education space—Susan Fang, founder of UK Guardianship, and Sarah Kershaw, director of The September Consultancy.

We dive into the critical role of building strong, trust-based relationships with education agents, and how those connections can lead to better student outcomes and business growth. From communication pitfalls to aligning expectations, Susan and Sarah share their first-hand experience of what makes agent relationships work—and where things can go wrong.

Expect practical tips on:

Establishing and maintaining meaningful agent partnerships

Navigating cultural expectations and communication styles

Turning initial conversations into long-term collaboration

What agents really look for in a tutor or consultancy service

Whether you’re new to the international education space or ready to grow your agency network, this episode will help you strengthen your approach to agent engagement—from first contact to successful conversion.

🎧 Listen in and learn how to foster agent relationships that are built to last.

To find out more about Susan visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanfang-ukeducationchina/?originalSubdomain=uk

To find out more about Sarah Kershaw visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkershawmarketing/

In this episode of Tutoring the World, we're joined by Pascaline Thompson, a seasoned educational consultant with over a decade of experience in the UK's independent education sector. A postgraduate of UCL London and fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Pascaline has been instrumental in guiding expatriate families from France, Spain, and Belgium through the intricacies of the UK's private schooling system. ​

Pascaline shares her journey as a trusted advisor for families seeking the best educational opportunities for their children. As a mother of three teenagers educated in the independent sector, she offers a unique perspective on the challenges parents face when choosing the right school.​

We delve into her insights on the balance of academic excellence, sports, and pastoral care in UK independent schools, and her passion for helping families find the perfect educational match. 

Whether you're a parent exploring schooling options or an educator interested in international education consultancy, this episode offers valuable insights into the UK's private education landscape.​

Connect with Pascaline on Instagram: @pascalinethompson​

Learn more about her services: pascalinethompson.com​

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of navigating the UK's independent education system.

Find out more about Aster Academy: https://www.aster.academy/​

In this inspiring episode of Tutoring The World, we dive deep into Lucy Spencer's transformative journey from a disillusioned classroom teacher to the founder of Proper Education Boutique, a pioneering tutoring company working with ultra-high-net-worth families and international clients.

Lucy shares her raw and honest story of transitioning from traditional education to creating a flexible, personalised tutoring approach. She reveals how she went from charging £15 per hour to building a successful business that was eventually acquired by the E-Teach group, all while maintaining her core mission of empowering students.

Key Highlights:

Listeners will be inspired by Lucy's core philosophy of trial and error, self-awareness, and continuous questioning. Whether you're an educator, tutor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a meaningful educational business that goes beyond traditional boundaries.

To find out more about Aster Academy visit: https://www.aster.academy/

To find out more about Lucy Spencer visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/privatetutor/

In this episode we look at the importance of social proof, and my top tips for pricing, marketing and story-telling. We'll look at how charging more, is actually the best way to get new clients. 

Get your free guide: How to attract high paying clients end educational agents. 

https://www.aster.academy/premium-tutors-guide-page

Today I'm joined by Elise Conlon, Director of Admission, International and Domestic at private boarding school Moreton Hall in the Shropshire countryside. We talk about what it's really like in a UK boarding school for students whether attending as a UK resident or internationally. 

What's your unique selling point?

In this week's episode we talk about using storytelling to build an authentic brand. Showing your clients the person behind the service gives a glimpse of your passion and encourages trust, emption and engagement.

Take a look at WHY you need. to use storytelling to promote your brand and HOW you should do it in the right way.

Having a robust marketing strategy for your international tutoring business is essential if you want to succeed. In this week's episode Sarah explores the best marketing practices to use to ensure you reach your ideal audience. 

Don't make the mistake of diving in without fully understanding where your audience will be looking. 

In this weeks episode Sarah dives into 2 essential concepts for working successfully in the Chinese market: Relationship building and mutual respect. 2025 Is the year of the snake and acknowledging this can make a positive impression. Grab a coffee and let's take a look at how we can navigate these concepts with ease

In this episode, Sarah explores the common questions Chinese families ask when selecting UK boarding schools for their children, the appeal of single-sex education, academic excellence, and cultural expectations.

Learn about the critical factors that influence their decisions, from academic track records to extracurricular activities, and how tutors can support students during this important transition.

Please Follow or Subscribe so you're notified as soon as new episodes become available. 

Find out how Aster Academy can help your tutoring business break in to the international market: https://www.aster.academy/

More from your Host, Sarah Capewell

I've created this show to share strategies, ideas and guidance that will help you to ride the waves of running your own business. Together we’ll be unpicking the world of international tutoring,  looking at how you can sell your services to education agents and diving into the pros and cons of scaling your business to meet demand. Let's embark on this entrepreneurial adventure together.

Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-capewell-59882520b/

Find out more about Aster Academy here: https://www.aster.academy/about