Teaching confidence, one published book at a time

What happens when a burnt-out educator finds herself called back into the world she thought she’d left behind, only to reshape it entirely on her own terms? That’s the story Clare Ford shared with me.

It’s exactly the kind of story we love to unpack in the Business Insights Series: real journeys from professionals, entrepreneurs, and educators who are quietly reshaping the world around them. Clare is the founder of Switched On Academy, an educator and coach with over 20 years of experience who has taken a deeply personal journey and turned it into a blueprint for change. 

On her website, Clare showcases the global impact of her work, where every child’s development contributes to larger global goals. Through Switched On Academy, students participate in projects tied to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water access, mental health support, and environmental care. The platform shares how student-led efforts link education with purpose, showing how learning can ripple outward to change communities.

Clare’s approach through Switched On Academy is built as a living, evolving environment, one where young people develop into confident, articulate, and capable individuals. It’s a space shaped by tools, coaching, purpose-driven learning, and a deep respect for each learner’s growth journey. 

She equips them with the tools to become published authors, delivers deep mindset coaching through her Teen Success Codes, and bridges personal growth with global awareness. At the heart of her work is a belief that when children feel heard, they rise. The academy fosters literacy, confidence, and leadership, while anchoring all of it in real-world impact.

Research consistently demonstrates that high levels of student engagement are linked to better academic performance, improved social-emotional skills, and lower dropout rates.

Our conversation went deep into how young people learn, how their curiosity can be protected or stifled, and what kind of future we’re preparing them for. As a parent myself, with a curious seven-year-old at home, this was both a professional and personal eye-opener.

Clare’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a deeply personal transformation, and the systems she’s built since then are now changing lives. From burnout to breakthrough, from solo educator to business strategist, Clare’s story is a lesson in reinvention and impact.

From breakdown to breakthrough

Clare’s journey unfolded from a period of deep burnout; an experience that prompted her to reevaluate everything about her relationship with education and her role within it. She shared how teaching in the traditional system led her to burnout and depression, eventually pushing her away from education entirely. That is, until the pandemic hit.

“I ended up burnt out, depressed. I thought I’m going to leave education… and then I got this second kind of nudge, which is almost like shaking me saying, come on, you know, tell people that you are a top educator.”

At first, she resisted. Clare hesitated, unsure if re-entering the education space would reignite old patterns of burnout and overwhelm. But the inner calling grew louder. The moment of shift came during one of her daily walks, when that intuitive voice refused to be ignored. Clare decided to act. With the world in chaos and schools closed, she launched a Facebook group, just to help struggling parents get through the day.

That simple act grew fast. Her resources, ideas, and strategies began to spread, because they worked. And what started as a support hub during lockdown soon evolved into something much more structured and visionary: Switched On Academy.

Clare re-entered education on her own terms, with clarity and commitment. Clare focused her return to education on reigniting a love of learning. Her journey from personal breakdown to professional rebirth became the foundation for a mission-led movement.

What I found inspiring is how she turned personal pain into a solution for others. It’s one of those rare moments where healing and leadership overlap. Clare’s path is one of transformation, and it’s lighting the way for hundreds of families and students who need that same spark.

Publishing books and nurturing self-belief

One of the most unique things Clare has created is a method that helps children as young as six write and publish their own books in just one week. No prior writing skills needed. No perfect grammar required. Just imagination, structure, and a bit of support.

“Whether children are dyslexic, dyspraxic, ADHD, English as a second language, ability doesn’t matter. We’ve helped over 100 children write and publish their own books in a week.”

Clare sees this as a powerful opportunity for children to discover that their ideas have value and can take tangible form. The experience of publishing a book gives them a clear, lasting sense of agency. It’s a process that builds confidence through action, reinforcing the belief that effort leads to meaningful outcomes.

“They’re holding their book. Something that was an idea in their mind has become a physical object.”

That kind of experience at age six or thirteen? It changes how you see yourself. It gives proof that effort creates outcomes. Clare’s method not only improves literacy skills: it transforms self-esteem and lays a foundation for future goal-setting.

The ripple effect of this approach is profound. Children who go through Clare’s book publishing process often come away with a stronger sense of self. The act of turning an idea into a tangible book becomes a turning point, one that helps them recognise their voice, capability, and the value of their imagination. Parents often share how their children begin to take more initiative, speak up with more assurance, and show genuine excitement about learning. For many of them, it’s the first time they’ve felt seen and heard for their ideas.

These projects become a badge of honour. Some students go on to share their books in class or at local events, inspiring their peers. Others use them to explore personal stories, cultural identity, or big dreams for the future. It’s literacy with purpose, tailored to the child instead of the system.

Teen Success Codes: growing inner strength

Clare’s impact doesn’t stop at book publishing. She’s developed what she calls the Teen Success Codes, a coaching programme for young people to build mindset, resilience, and self-belief. The programme brings together years of Clare’s experience in education, life coaching, and youth empowerment. It offers teenagers a structured way to understand themselves better, build personal leadership, and respond to life’s challenges with confidence.

“It’s mindset work, self-belief, understanding that failure is just feedback… you can do, be and have whatever you want if you put your mind to it.”

What impressed me was how Clare weaves together confidence-building and communication skills. She sees language not only as a school subject, but as a tool for life: a tool that can shape careers, relationships, and personal identity.

“It’s about understanding how our words are powerful tools… to navigate relationships, resolve conflicts and build meaningful connections.”

In her sessions, teens learn how to speak up for themselves, explore who they want to become, and reflect on the kind of impact they want to make in the world. The Teen Success Codes encourage real conversations around emotions, goals, and the practical habits that build resilience. Teens who go through this programme often leave with stronger communication skills, more grounded self-awareness, and a greater sense of possibility.

This programme fills a gap left by traditional education. It supports youth development with real-world skills: resilience, decision-making, and belief in their ability to influence outcomes. This is the kind of preparation young people need to handle a rapidly changing world and Clare is giving them a head start.

Communication is a tool and a responsibility

Our conversation shifted toward the bigger picture of communication: its uses, its power, and how early education can shape our ability to use it wisely.

“The way we communicate with others and ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”

We talked about how communication spans from simply expressing your needs to influencing ideas and leading others. Clare pointed out how even ancient philosophers recognised the power of words.

“Even going far back as Plato and Aristotle… they would stand there and just start talking about their philosophies.”

This historical grounding in the power of speech highlights how long communication has been central to shaping thought, influence, and community.

“Communication is a weapon, as well as a tool.” That was something I felt very strongly about during our exchange. Communication plays a central role in shaping how ideas spread, how people connect, and how leadership is exercised. It threads through both personal interactions and societal structures, influencing everything from grassroots change to global movements.

“We all need to be absolutely aware of the role that communication plays in dominance.” I said this because I’ve seen it unfold in the way certain voices get amplified and others silenced. Teaching children to wield language ethically and powerfully helps them develop a sense of responsibility and agency with their words. It becomes a foundation for respectful influence, thoughtful expression, and meaningful participation in society.

Studies show that “language proficiency and literacy offer individuals a framework for self-expression, which is essential for self-confidence at any age”. Moreover, “creative writing stretches kids’ imaginations like a muscle. Build their confidence to clearly communicate their point of view, their thoughts, and their feelings”.

What we both agreed on is this: communication plays an essential role in both personal and professional development. Its effectiveness grows with use, shaping how individuals express ideas, collaborate, and lead. Whether you’re trying to share an idea or lead a nation, how you speak matters. Teaching children this from a young age sets the stage for more empowered, responsible adults.

Clare also stressed that we’re living in an age where the volume of communication is increasing, but the depth is not. With young people consuming bite-sized content and spending hours on social platforms, it’s even more important to help them develop intentional communication, not just reactive replies. She encourages practices like active listening, reflective journaling, and structured debates in her programmes to help build these lifelong tools.

Clare views communication as a force that shapes personal insight, political awareness, and philosophical reflection. It can be a powerful vehicle for transformation at every level of human experience. When children understand how to shape a message, they begin to shape their influence. That can start with asking for help, and evolve into advocating for change. Clare is teaching the next generation that words are not just to be spoken, they’re to be owned.

Questioning is thinking

As we explored how students are taught today, Clare raised a point that hit close to home. Critical thinking and curiosity are often casualties of time-strapped education systems, where learning is measured by deadlines and standardised tests rather than exploration and reflection.

“What is being lost in school, simply because of time constraints, is encouraging young people to ask questions.”

She shared a story of a gifted child who lost interest in a project after a teacher dismissed his question. That one moment, Clare said, flipped his mindset from excited to indifferent.

“He said, I can’t be bothered to learn any new things. I already think I know as much as I need to know.”

The insight here isn’t to blame teachers, but to reflect on how fragile curiosity can be. Clare’s coaching intentionally nurtures that curiosity. She encourages children to see questions as a sign of intelligence, not inconvenience. Her sessions often involve exploring the why behind a subject, not just the what. In her words, curiosity is a muscle. If we don’t stretch it, it withers.

When children are encouraged to ask, they begin to own their learning journey. They become thinkers, not just listeners. This shift builds long-term engagement, especially in a world where information is abundant but understanding is rare. Clare is making sure young minds stay curious because questions are how we grow.

This, to me, is the heart of education: not just to fill minds, but to spark them.

Building a business while shaping young lives

We also touched on how Clare is navigating the business side of Switched On Academy.

“I’m treating it like a startup, but of course, I’ve got all the knowledge of the mistakes that I made before.”

Clare spoke openly about her lessons from earlier ventures and how those experiences now shape her mindset toward growth. While details of her strategy are still evolving, one theme is clear: she’s aiming to build something sustainable, without letting complexity overshadow the mission. That involves thinking carefully about where to spend her time and how to offer opportunities for young collaborators.

One standout example was her first intern. After learning through hands-on experience, this young person went on to create her own digital media agency, with Clare becoming her first client.

“I became her first client… she set up her own digital media agency, having done an internship with me.”

This kind of mentorship-in-action points to the broader values that underpin Clare’s work: building confidence, creating space for initiative, and supporting young people as they grow into their own paths. Clare reflected on the challenge of knowing when and what to delegate, and how stepping back can often open space for others to step forward.

“You have to know what you’re actually delegating. In order to do that, you have to take a step back and think, what are the needle movers and what are the time-wasting things?”

We discussed the value of building processes not just for efficiency, but to allow the mission to scale with intention. That’s where thoughtful leadership meets long-term vision.

Conclusion: Empowering the next generation, one question at a time

Clare’s work highlights how education extends beyond instruction. It’s equally about cultivating confidence, curiosity, and resilience in young learners. And the belief that your voice matters. Her impact echoes far beyond the classroom, touching the way young people view themselves and their role in the world.

“Looking back, I often wished there had been a way for me to challenge myself and see a meaningful outcome; something I could truly build on and return to with excitement.” I shared this with Clare because her work made me reflect on my own school years. I was often bored, disengaged, and discouraged, despite being bright. What she’s building would have been a game-changer for kids like me.

In a time where educational systems often feel stretched, standardised, or outdated, Clare is building an alternative: one that honours each child’s individuality while also giving them tools to thrive in a modern, complex world. From creating young authors to coaching teen leaders, she’s offering an education that feels relevant, human, and deeply needed.

What I appreciated most in our conversation was the balance Clare brings. She’s got systems, but she’s also deeply human. She coaches, but she also listens. And whether it’s publishing a book or building a pipeline, she’s teaching children and teens to see their ideas through and believe that those ideas matter.

Authentic student engagement is the on-going, collaborative and meaningful involvement of students in their learning process, decision-making, and school experiences which impacts the learning environment.

The future belongs to those who are empowered early. If we want future leaders to be thoughtful, confident and capable: it starts here.