TJ’s online school helping students to Breakthrough Maths!

Five years ago, TJ Hegarty was standing in a draughty community hall in Glanmire teaching just eight students with nothing but a whiteboard, a few folding tables and a sense 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 had been told college was off the table. His parents explained he had autism and had been written off academically. However, Hegarty saw it differently.

“We just made weekly progress. The belief followed and the results started to come. Fionn is now finishing his Engineering Masters in MTU.”

That one breakthrough laid the foundation for what would become Breakthrough Maths.

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 them as often as they need. It’s all done from home, with no commuting and no stress.

“Parents say not sitting in a car park at 7pm in the rain is worth it alone,” said Hegarty. 

Each week, two topics are covered in a focused, structured way. That consistency is what helps students stay on track. For grades, but also for confidence.

For TJ Hegarty, the real mission isn’t just higher marks. It’s shifting how students feel about Maths.

“So many students have already decided they’re not a Maths person,” he explains. “But usually, they’ve just had one bad experience. Or they were too afraid to ask questions in class. We flip that.”

“At Breakthrough, students are encouraged to say they don’t get it. The atmosphere is low-pressure but focused. According to our most recent results, 96% of Leaving Cert students surveyed reported grade improvements after joining our programme.” 

What started as one man band is now a full team of tutors and support staff. Hegarty credits the team with making it all work.

“Maths anxiety is a real thing. But with the right help, the right structure, and the right explanations, we see students transform week after week," he added. 

Breakthrough Maths now works with students from Dingle to Donegal and has recently expanded into the UK. But the goal remains the same — to help students to Breakthrough Maths. With 3,000 students and counting, the company shows no signs of slowing down.

The next term kicks off with a free 3-day Back to School course starting August 20.

To sign up, visit here. 

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