Rachel Vecht, a former primary school teacher, is readying a meeting room of a City bank for her class. Over the next 10 minutes, around 20 people in their 30s and 40s wander in, smiling shyly, before sitting in one of the chairs that have been arranged to form a semi-circle. The group – an equal mix of men and women – stays silent for the best part of 40 minutes, lapping up Vecht’s every word on subjects ranging from how to get the most out of reading with your children, helping with maths homework, and advice on choosing schools. Then she stops and asks her audience if they have any questions. The hands shoot up.

Vecht, a 34-year-old mother of three, started her education consultancy – Educating Matters – seven years ago after her first child was born. She realised schools were always very keen for pupils to practice their reading at home yet rarely told parents the best way to go about this, so she took it upon herself to give guidance. Vecht started out small and local, hosting sessions in parents’ homes. Since taking Educating Matters into the workplace, she has taken on a team of teachers to work with her in delivering seminars on a range of educational subjects. Much of what she offers is tailored to the anxieties of busy working parents who want to get the most out of the limited time they have with their children.