Meet the Wimborne tutor crowned Professional Tutor of the Year

Watching her brother navigate dyslexia inspired Poppy Parmar-Phillips to build a tutoring business focused not just on academic achievement, but on helping students believe in their own abilities.

For Poppy, tutoring is about much more than passing exams. It is about understanding how a student learns, building their self-belief and helping them discover what they are capable of.

With a decade of experience in education, Poppy is the founder of Wimborne-based Poppy’s Tutoring Company, which supports learners from Key Stage 1 right through to A-level. Alongside this, she offers specialist support for neurodivergent students and those with special educational needs, including dyslexia and dyspraxia.

The team covers Maths, English and the sciences, as well as History, Geography, Classics and languages including French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. It also prepares students for 11+ and ISEB entrance exams and supports families who home educate.

Poppy’s youngest brother struggled with dyslexia, giving her first-hand insight into the challenges that can arise when traditional approaches to learning do not work for every child.

That experience sparked her passion for finding new ways to support students.

Before moving into tutoring, Poppy worked within her local council, including in the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) department. While the role gave her valuable insight into the education system and support available to children with additional needs, she wanted to work more directly with students.

She went on to pursue a career in teaching before founding Poppy’s Tutoring Company eight years ago. Today, that understanding of how differently children learn remains at the heart of the business.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Poppy takes time to understand each student’s strengths, challenges and learning style before adapting her teaching to suit them.

For some students, that may mean specialist dyslexia or dyspraxia support. For others, it could be getting to grips with Maths, preparing for GCSEs, A-levels or the 11+, or simply rediscovering their enjoyment of learning.

“Every child learns differently, and the right support can make a lasting difference,” says Poppy.

Her aim is to help students make academic progress while developing the confidence to tackle challenges independently.

Poppy’s Tutoring has grown from a one-person business into a small team of carefully selected tutors who share her commitment to personalised education. Alongside online lessons, the team offers in-person tutoring in Wimborne and the surrounding area.

Poppy is also a Board Member of The Tutors’ Association (TTA), the UK professional body for tutoring, contributing to discussions around professional standards, tutoring policy and better support for students and families.

Her work was recognised at the National Tutoring Awards 2026 in July, where Poppy won three titles: Professional Tutor of the Year, SEND Tutor and Secondary Tutor. She was also Highly Commended in the Home Education Tutor category.

Whether a student needs help with a particular subject, is preparing for GCSEs, A-levels or entrance exams, or would benefit from a different approach to learning, Poppy’s Tutoring is focused on helping them reach their potential.

To find out more about Poppy’s Tutoring Company and its online and in-person tutoring services, visit www.poppystutoringcompany.co.uk.