A “burnt out” primary school teacher quit her job to start her own tutoring business – and says she has doubled her salary despite working just two hours a day.
Ella Weston started teaching in 2021 after graduating from her studies, but quickly became disillusioned with her £34,000 a year profession.
The 26-year-old found the long hours “unrelenting” and wanted to find a way of continuing her passion for imparting wisdom to children – without sacrificing her own personal time.
She took the plunge in March 2024, quitting her job to launch her own tutoring business two months later, and Ella hasn’t looked back since.
She now earns double her original income and estimates she works as little as two hours a day from a makeshift space in her conservatory.
“The biggest pro of this career shift is how much freedom and time I’ve gained,” Ella, based in South London, told Absolutely Business.
“My mornings are a lot slower now, no longer fuelled by pure adrenaline or the rush to get out the door.
“I typically start the day with a couple of home-educated students who I support during the daytime.
“In the early evenings, I run two small group sessions with four children in each group.
“Preparing for these sessions is something I genuinely enjoy, as I love creating personalised, tailored lessons that connect to the children’s interests and make learning fun.
“This takes time to prepare for but I am not governed by strict, rigid schemes which strip all of the creativity from learning.”
The strict nature of her previous work had been a key part in pushing Ella to leave.
She explained: “Towards the end of my time in teaching, I was incredibly burnt out and felt like I was craving something more from life.
“It wasn’t any one school or experience in particular, but rather the cumulative demands of the system that left me struggling.
“The long hours were unrelenting, and I often found myself sacrificing personal time and energy to meet the ever-growing expectations of the role.
“From spending my own money to create a welcoming classroom environment to tackling mounting piles of administrative tasks that often felt disconnected from actual teaching, it became difficult to maintain a sense of balance.
“Over time, the weight of it all began to take a toll on my health.
“I wasn’t sleeping well, my anxiety was worsening, and eventually, my doctor signed me off due to high blood pressure and the need for rest.
“Stepping away from the profession wasn’t an easy decision, but it was clear that I needed to prioritise my wellbeing.
“Education has always been my passion, and I knew I wanted to stay in the field. However, I also wanted to focus on the part I truly loved – the teaching itself.
“Starting my own business allowed me to do that while also being my own boss and creating a healthier work-life balance.
“Teaching in the classroom often required sacrificing so much, including my health, and I knew I needed a change.”
After two months off, she kickstarted her business, called Ella’s Study Spot in her conservatory in May 2024.
She said: “It didn’t take long for my tutoring business to take off – within a few months, my small group slots were nearly full, with only a couple of spaces left, and now I even have a waiting list.
“It was definitely a scary jump to leave a stable income and job, but the demand in my area was huge.
“I think this highlights some of the challenges within the education system – so many children are struggling to keep up with the pace of the curriculum, and the gaps in their understanding are growing.
“Parents are looking for additional support to help their children succeed, and I’m grateful to be in a position to provide that.
“It’s been rewarding to see how quickly the business has grown and how much of a difference tailored, fun, focused teaching can make for these students.
“Tutoring has given me the opportunity to continue helping students succeed while working fewer hours and maintaining a lifestyle that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
“It was the right step for me to continue doing what I love in a way that also prioritises my wellbeing.”
Now, less than a year on, she estimates her earnings to be more than double her annual salary as a primary school teacher.
Ella added: “Doubling my income has obviously been amazing, but it’s also come with responsibilities I didn’t have to think about when I was teaching, like managing a private pension and covering business expenses.
“That said, I’ve become much smarter with money – saving and investing have become priorities for me.
“The financial gain is great, but honestly, the freedom and flexibility I have now are even more valuable.
“I would have been willing to sacrifice some income for the lifestyle I have, so to be in a position where I’ve increased my earnings and have more control over my time feels like the best of both worlds.”
As well as tutoring, Ella has now created a guide to help other teachers transition from teaching to tutoring.
She added: “It’s such a fulfilling aspect of what I do, and I’m passionate about continuing to grow this area.
“There are so many incredible professionals who are on the brink of burnout, looking for a slower, more balanced, and fulfilling future – and it’s amazing to help them reclaim their lives.
“I have so much respect for educators and the vital role they play, but I think my experience is reflective of the broader challenges within the education system.
“Teachers deserve to feel valued, supported, and able to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
“I hope that in the future, we can create an environment where that’s the norm rather than the exception.
“These days, my life bandwidth feels so much bigger, and my job doesn’t consume me the way it once did.
“I now work with over 40 students every week, and I’m lucky to have the loveliest families who couldn’t be more supportive.
“It’s truly an amazing and rewarding career, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
