Helping thousands of kids understand maths: Try this Breakthrough Maths online class free and see the results

Five years ago, TJ Hegarty was standing in a draughty community hall in Ireland, teaching just eight students with nothing but a whiteboard, a few folding tables, and a belief that Maths could be taught differently.

He wasn’t setting out to build a business.

“At the time, it was just about helping a few kids who were struggling. That was it. There was no brand, no team, no real plan,” Hegarty says.

One student stood out — a teenager named Fionn who’d been told college wasn’t for him. His parents explained he had autism and had been written off academically. But TJ saw it differently.

That one breakthrough — watching a student go from shutting down to showing up — laid the foundation for what would become Breakthrough Maths.

Now UK-wide

Today, the company teaches over 3,000 students each week across Ireland and now, the UK too. One of their tutors, Harry, is based in Milton Keynes. A Nottingham Trent University student with a knack for making tricky topics click. Harry leads online classes every week and helps GCSE students with any questions that they have.

“Harry is exactly the kind of tutor we look for,” Hegarty says. “He’s passionate about Maths, knows how to explain it clearly, and actually cares about the students. That’s the magic. That’s what makes online learning work.”

From cold halls to calm homes

Breakthrough Maths runs four live online classes each week for each group. Every session is recorded, so students can rewatch whenever they need. No commuting. No stress. No waiting around in car parks.

“Parents tell us the relief of not doing the 7pm dash to a tutoring centre in the rain is worth it alone,” says Hegarty.

Each week, two topics are taught in a focused, structured way. That kind of consistency keeps students on track — not just for exam grades, but for confidence too.

Tackling maths anxiety head-on

For Hegarty, the real goal isn’t just better marks. It’s changing how students feel about Maths.

“So many kids decide way too early that they’re ‘just not a Maths person’. But usually, it’s because of one bad class, or they were too nervous to ask questions. We flip that.”

At Breakthrough Maths, students are encouraged to say, “I don’t get it.” The environment is low-pressure but focused — and it works. In their latest survey, 96% of their final year students in Ireland said their grades improved after joining.

A bigger team; A bigger mission

What started with just one tutor has grown into a full team of teachers, developers, and support staff. But the mission hasn’t changed.

“Maths anxiety is real. But it’s fixable,” says Hegarty. “With the right support, structure, and someone to explain things properly, we see students change completely — sometimes in just a few weeks.”

Breakthrough Maths now works with students from all over the UK, and their next 3-day ‘Back to School’ course is completely free — running on August 27th, 28th, and 29th. It’s designed to help students reset for September, tackle maths anxiety, and start the year strong.

To sign up, visit breakthroughmaths.co.uk