Nina Eastman White has had a busy couple of weeks after her tuition business InkTree Education was recognised as best newcomer at the Havering Small Business Awards on September 24.
The Recorder caught up with her at the Havering Chamber Business Showcase on Wednesday (October 8) at the Mercury Shopping Centre, where she delivered a speech on the “power of education”.
The former deputy headteacher explained how, soon after she founded InkTree Education in October 2024, she realised that most of the demand for tuition was coming from families whose children cannot access mainstream schools.
The InkTree Education stall(Image: Charlotte Anderson)
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“One of the reasons why I set InkTree up was because of one of my own young family members was fighting for educational access, which is ongoing, for two years,” Nina said.
“As I ventured into my own business and tuition, what I really quickly realised was actually most of the families that needed support were those whose children, for a range of reasons, can’t access mainstream schools.
“So it might be special educational needs (SEN) or awaiting educational healthcare plans, there’s a huge issue of school-based anxiety and emotional-based school avoidance.
“I think all of that makes the tuition sector more relevant than ever and that’s why there’s been so much growth in tuition as well.
“It’s not just catering for one type of family – it’s a lifeline for all types of families.”
Alongside primary and secondary English tuition, InkTree – based in Upminster – also offers educational consultancy services to a range of sectors, including schools, alternative provision settings and charities.
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Later down the line, Nina has her sights set on an in-person tuition and literacy hub.
The mum-of-two told the Recorder: “I’d love to have a community hub that supports young people who are educated outside of school, home education groups, adult literacy support – a hub for literacy on the high street.
“I think for the home education community and children who are outside of mainstream school due to SEND needs or mental health, it would give them that kind of community and peer socialising.”
Nina was one of 21 exhibitors at the business showcase and one of several attendees to deliver a speech, with the topics ranging from AI to safety and security in Romford.
