Dan

My experience with special educational needs

With over 30 years of experience in primary education, including 11 years as a headteacher, I have worked with children from a wide range of backgrounds, abilities and learning needs. I have always believed that every child is unique and that there is no single approach to learning. By understanding each child's strengths, interests and preferred learning style, I tailor my teaching to help them achieve their full potential. Building positive, trusting relationships has always been central to my practice because children learn best when they feel safe, valued and understood. I create meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity and resilience, helping children develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

A bit about me

I am based in Folkestone, Kent, a town I am proud to call home. My working life has been varied, beginning with a paper round at 11 and including roles as a waiter, fruit picker, magician, actor, teacher, headteacher and now coach. At 18, I ran my own entertainment business, performing magic for 10 years and appearing in television and film. In my mid-twenties, I trained as a primary teacher and spent over 30 years in education, including 11 years as a headteacher. I also qualified as a Forest School practitioner, creating outdoor learning experiences that built confidence and resilience. Today, I combine my experience in education with my Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching from Animas to help children and adults unlock their strengths, build confidence and achieve lasting, positive change. I live with my wife, our two children, a lively Cockapoo and an unexpectedly speedy tortoise.

My teaching philosophy

With over 30 years of experience in primary education, including 11 years as a headteacher, I offer personalised tutoring for primary-aged children across the full curriculum. Every session is tailored to each child's individual needs, strengths and learning style. As a qualified Transformative Life Coach, I also focus on developing confidence, resilience and self-belief alongside academic progress. Sessions can take place in your home or in my dedicated garden classroom, providing a calm and inspiring learning environment. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued and genuinely enjoy learning. By building trusting relationships and using each child's interests to inspire them, I help children become more confident, engaged and motivated, enabling them to make lasting progress and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Schedule

Tutoring specialisation

I’m providing tutoring sessions for students with these educational needs: