A couple who met while working at Sainsbury’s have swapped the checkout for a classroom and launched their own business.

Steve and Anita White decided to start Tutor Doctor, in Gravesend, after they saw first-hand the struggles the education system was facing.

Anita said: “I have always been passionate about helping children, so I found it very frustrating not being able to effect change in the system as a teacher for over a decade.

“Our son also went through his GCSEs during Covid, which presented its own challenges, so we decided to hire a tutor to support him.

“It took us at least three or four tutors to find the right one and to feel confident that they both understood and could relate to our son so they could get the most out of him.”

Steve added: “We want to ensure we can play a part in these institutions by providing local children with the highest possible standard of education no matter their background.

“We will bring a real personal element to the education sector from a parent’s perspective, and we cannot wait to make a real difference to education in our area.”

The pair, who were born and bred in Gravesend, met while working for the supermarket chain before Anita took a job in teaching and Steve in senior management.

They are planning for their firm, which provides at-home, in-school and online tutoring, to expand into Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.