About Academic Success UK
London's specialist exam preparation, Built on 20 years of teaching, Not tutoring.
Meet our founder
Founded by Reena Damani
Founded by Reena Damani, Haberdashers’ Girls’ alumna, experienced school leader, and mum of two. Academic Success was built for London families who want more than a tutor. They want a team that knows exactly what top schools are looking for, and knows exactly how to get their child there.
We prepare children for 4+, 7+, and 11+ entry with specialist teaching, structured programmes, and a confidence-first approach that makes the difference between hoping and knowing.
Reena has over 20 years of teaching experience, with a specialism in 4+, 7+, and 11+ entry. An alumna of Haberdashers’ Girls’ School, she combines deep knowledge of how top schools assess children with an equally deep understanding of how children actually learn. She has helped hundreds of families secure places at London’s most selective schools including NLCS, Haberdashers’, QE Boys’, St Paul’s, and Tiffin.
Every programme Reena designs follows the same principle: build the child first, then the technique. Children who come to Academic Success don’t just learn exam content, they develop the confidence, stamina, and genuine ability that top schools are looking for. The exam becomes the natural outcome, not the pressure point.
As a mum of two, Reena knows this process from both sides. Her approach is warm, structured, and completely honest with families about where their child is and what it will take. That clarity is what parents come back for and what children respond to.
Our team
Meet our teachers
At Academic Success, we’re a team of expert, fully qualified teachers with decades of combined classroom experience and a shared passion for helping every child thrive.
Raksha
Maths & English · Year 5 Specialist
Year 5 teacher · Senior Leadership · 20+ years · Safeguarding Lead
Year 5 specialist · SLT · DSL · 20+ Years
Raksha is a warm, dynamic teacher with over 20 years of experience. She is a Year 5 classroom teacher and Senior Leadership Team member, leads on Science, and is her school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. At Academic Success she supports children in building solid foundations in Maths and English while preparing for 11+ exams.
Year 5 teacher · Senior Leadership · 20+ years · Safeguarding Lead
Year 5 specialist · SLT · DSL · 20+ Years
Raksha is a warm, dynamic teacher with over 20 years of experience. She is a Year 5 classroom teacher and Senior Leadership Team member, leads on Science, and is her school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. At Academic Success she supports children in building solid foundations in Maths and English while preparing for 11+ exams.
Mimi
Early Years & 11+ Specialist
Nearly 30 years' experience · Early literacy · Grammar school preparation
30 years' experience · Early Years · 11+ specialist · Grammar prep
Mimi is a highly experienced teacher with nearly 30 years of expertise supporting young learners. At Academic Success she leads the learning journey for younger students and has a proven track record of helping children gain entrance to leading independent and grammar schools through expertise in early literacy, numeracy, phonics and reasoning.
Nearly 30 years' experience · Early literacy · Grammar school preparation
30 years' experience · Early Years · 11+ specialist · Grammar prep
Mimi is a highly experienced teacher with nearly 30 years of expertise supporting young learners. At Academic Success she leads the learning journey for younger students and has a proven track record of helping children gain entrance to leading independent and grammar schools through expertise in early literacy, numeracy, phonics and reasoning.
Puja
Holistic Learning & Pastoral Coach
Deputy Head (Pastoral) · Life Coach · KS1–3 · 20 years
Deputy Head · Life Coach · KS1–3 · 20 Years
Puja is an experienced qualified teacher with nearly 20 years in education spanning classroom teaching, senior leadership and coaching. As former Deputy Head (Pastoral), she led wellbeing initiatives and supports children academically and emotionally. She is also a certified Life and Performance Coach, uniquely enriching her teaching with mindset and resilience work.
Deputy Head (Pastoral) · Life Coach · KS1–3 · 20 years
Deputy Head · Life Coach · KS1–3 · 20 Years
Puja is an experienced qualified teacher with nearly 20 years in education spanning classroom teaching, senior leadership and coaching. As former Deputy Head (Pastoral), she led wellbeing initiatives and supports children academically and emotionally. She is also a certified Life and Performance Coach, uniquely enriching her teaching with mindset and resilience work.
Deval
Early Years · KS1 Specialist
KS1 Teaching Assistant · Early phonics · Confidence building
Early Years · KS1 · Phonics · Nurturing Approach
Deval is a warm, caring Early Years educator with experience as a KS1 Teaching Assistant. She creates a safe, engaging space where young children feel encouraged to explore and develop academically and socially. She understands that every child is unique and adapts her support to meet individual learning needs — from early phonics to numeracy confidence.
KS1 Teaching Assistant · Early phonics · Confidence building
Early Years · KS1 · Phonics · Nurturing Approach
Deval is a warm, caring Early Years educator with experience as a KS1 Teaching Assistant. She creates a safe, engaging space where young children feel encouraged to explore and develop academically and socially. She understands that every child is unique and adapts her support to meet individual learning needs — from early phonics to numeracy confidence.
Heidi
SEND & Creative Learning
PGCE · 5 years' experience · SEND specialist · Dynamic teaching
PGCE · SEND Specialist · Creative · 5 years
Heidi is a passionate teacher with a PGCE and five years of classroom experience, known for her vibrant energy and commitment to inclusive learning. With a strong background supporting children with special educational needs, she tailors her approach to each learner, ensuring every child feels seen, supported and capable of success.
PGCE · 5 years' experience · SEND specialist · Dynamic teaching
PGCE · SEND Specialist · Creative · 5 years
Heidi is a passionate teacher with a PGCE and five years of classroom experience, known for her vibrant energy and commitment to inclusive learning. With a strong background supporting children with special educational needs, she tailors her approach to each learner, ensuring every child feels seen, supported and capable of success.
Talitha
Maths & English · Growth Mindset
QTS · Education degree · Holistic approach · Rock climbing enthusiast
QTS · Education Degree · Growth Mindset · Holistic
Talitha is an enthusiastic teacher with a degree in Education and QTS. She combines strong subject knowledge with a passion for nurturing confident, capable learners. Her holistic approach focuses not only on academic progress but on each child's social and emotional development, creating a warm environment where children feel safe to ask questions and develop a growth mindset.
QTS · Education degree · Holistic approach · Rock climbing enthusiast
QTS · Education Degree · Growth Mindset · Holistic
Talitha is an enthusiastic teacher with a degree in Education and QTS. She combines strong subject knowledge with a passion for nurturing confident, capable learners. Her holistic approach focuses not only on academic progress but on each child's social and emotional development, creating a warm environment where children feel safe to ask questions and develop a growth mindset.
Joanna
Maths, English & Reasoning
PGCE · QTS · Psychology degree · Hands-on learning specialist
QTS · Psychology Degree · PGCE · Mum of Two
Joanna is an enthusiastic teacher with a Psychology degree and PGCE with QTS. She specialises in making learning meaningful through practical, hands-on activities. As a mum of two daughters now at secondary school, she offers a unique dual perspective combining professional expertise with personal insight into the school preparation journey.
PGCE · QTS · Psychology degree · Hands-on learning specialist
QTS · Psychology Degree · PGCE · Mum of Two
Joanna is an enthusiastic teacher with a Psychology degree and PGCE with QTS. She specialises in making learning meaningful through practical, hands-on activities. As a mum of two daughters now at secondary school, she offers a unique dual perspective combining professional expertise with personal insight into the school preparation journey.
Jackie
Early Years · 4+ Specialist
Reception Form Teacher · EYFS · Independent girls' school · 18+ years
Reception · EYFS · 4+ Prep · 18+ Years
Jackie is a warm, nurturing Early Years teacher with over 18 years in primary education and a degree in Early Childhood. She spent the last decade at a leading independent girls' school, teaching Nursery and Reception and helping deliver 4+ entry assessments alongside the Head and Admissions team. At our Summer School she brings that same hands-on, creative classroom magic. Building curiosity, independence and confidence in our youngest learners.
Reception Form Teacher · EYFS · Independent girls' school · 18+ years
Reception · EYFS · 4+ Prep · 18+ Years
Jackie is a warm, nurturing Early Years teacher with over 18 years in primary education and a degree in Early Childhood. She spent the last decade at a leading independent girls' school, teaching Nursery and Reception and helping deliver 4+ entry assessments alongside the Head and Admissions team. At our Summer School she brings that same hands-on, creative classroom magic. Building curiosity, independence and confidence in our youngest learners.
Colette
Primary Specialist · Inclusive Learning
Primary teacher · MFL (French) · SEN experience · 12 years
Primary · MFL · SEN · 12 Years
Colette is a calm, patient and nurturing primary teacher with twelve years of classroom experience. With a background in Modern Foreign Languages (French) and a real strength in supporting children with SEN, she's skilled at adapting lessons so every child can access them and light up when something finally clicks. At our Summer School she creates a safe, joyful environment where children feel confident to try, make mistakes and grow.
Primary teacher · MFL (French) · SEN experience · 12 years
Primary · MFL · SEN · 12 Years
Colette is a calm, patient and nurturing primary teacher with twelve years of classroom experience. With a background in Modern Foreign Languages (French) and a real strength in supporting children with SEN, she's skilled at adapting lessons so every child can access them and light up when something finally clicks. At our Summer School she creates a safe, joyful environment where children feel confident to try, make mistakes and grow.
Our mission
Why Families Choose Academic Success
Most tutoring fills gaps. We build children properly — with expert teaching, clear structure, and a journey that leads to real confidence and strong outcomes.
Teachers, Not Tutors
Experienced Expert Teachers
Every session is led by experienced teachers with Qualified Teacher Status. They understand how children learn, where gaps form, and how to build skills securely over time.
Small Groups Always
Small Groups
We keep groups small so every child is known, supported, and challenged. Teachers can track progress closely, adapt teaching in real time, and give genuine individual attention.
A Clear Pathway
A Clear Pathway From 4+ to 11+
Our programmes are designed as a step-by-step pathway from 4+ through to 11+. Children build foundations first, develop skills steadily, and then refine exam technique with confidence.
Confidence Matters
Confidence Before Pressure
Children perform best when they feel capable. We build confidence early so learning feels positive, progress feels achievable, and exam preparation never becomes overwhelming.
Built For Results
Results Families Can Point To
Our children receive offers from QE Boys', NLCS, Haberdashers', St Paul's, and Tiffin — every year. That isn't luck. It's what happens when teaching is structured, specific, and led by people who know exactly what these schools want.
Child-Centred Always
Personalised Support
No two children learn in exactly the same way. We teach with care, clarity, and flexibility so each child gets the right support, challenge, and encouragement at every stage.
Results
What London Families Say
Real parents. Named schools. Children who came to us unsure — and left with offers.