James Dand helps students build the mindset and self-belief they need to succeed in exams, careers, and life
Are Your Students Struggling With:
❎ Low motivation and limited career or study aspirations?
❎ Poor confidence, self-esteem, or belief in their abilities?
❎ Difficulty bouncing back from setbacks or managing stress?
❎ Anxiety or lack of focus when preparing for exams or job interviews?
❎ Uncertainty or confusion about career choices and getting a job?
❎ Fixed mindset that limits growth and learning?
When you book James, your students will learn how to:
✅ Boost confidence, self-esteem, and positive self-perception
✅ Develop resilience to overcome setbacks and manage stress
✅ Build a growth mindset that fuels continuous learning and ambition
✅ Inspire higher aspirations and a stronger belief in their potential
✅ Increase motivation and accountability to take positive action
✅ Use practical tools to prepare effectively for exams and job interviews
What Education Organisations Say:
"The content of James’ talk was exceptional. The powerful message resonated deeply with the students, and James’s delivery was outstanding. He connected with the students effortlessly, using engaging and relatable examples. James kept the students captivated throughout the session, and they left the session with practical tools to use.
Working with James was a pleasure.”
Janis Wild (Enrichment Officer, Buxton & Leek College)
"James's talk was not only motivating and engaging, but also delivered in a way that truly captivated their interest - ensuring they remained engaged right until the end. The session provided students with expert advice, actionable strategies, and ongoing support. Working with James has been a fantastic experience."
Kim Hundley-Appleton (Employability Skills Manager, Bournemouth University)
"The session was incredibly engaging, thought-provoking, and full of valuable insights that truly resonated with us as students. James’s energy, authenticity, and ability to connect with students made a lasting impression on everyone in the room. It’s rare to see a speaker who can so effectively blend humour, real-life experience, and practical advice in a way that speaks directly to young people."
Rowven Sanyangore (President, Student Union, EKC Dover College)
Tailored to Your Students’ Needs:
All talks and workshops are customised based on the specific challenges your students face. They can be delivered in person or online, adapted for large group events or smaller interactive sessions, and run at varying lengths to suit your timetable.
Talks:
Inspiring, energising sessions that spark mindset shifts and provide students with tools to overcome challenges, aim higher, and believe in their abilities.
Interactive Workshops:
Engaging sessions with practical, written activities that help students build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset.
How It Works: Help Your Students Aim Higher in 3 Simple Steps:
Choose Your Format:
Pick from inspiring talks, interactive workshops, or a mix of both - all tailored to your students’ needs, challenges, and goals.
Book James to Deliver:
James delivers dynamic, customised sessions - helping students boost confidence, build resilience, and raise aspirations for study, life, and work.
See Real Impact:
Watch your students grow in self-belief, motivation, and resilience - ready to overcome challenges and take positive action toward their future.
Watch James Dand's Speaker Reel:
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Talks & Workshops:
Unlocking Your Potential: Elevating Aspirations and Achieving More with the Right Mindset
Your mindset shapes what you aim for, what you believe you can achieve, and what you actually do. If you aim low or doubt yourself, it can hold you back in education, your future career and life. But when you actively develop a stronger, more empowered mindset, you can achieve better results and unlock far more of your true potential.
In this motivational and inspiring session, you’ll explore how your current mindset might be limiting you, and how to change it to open up new possibilities. You’ll also learn practical mindset tools you can start using straight away to boost your confidence, motivation and aspirations. By managing your mindset, you can achieve greater happiness, success and fulfilment.
Future Ready: Mindset Tools to Boost Your Employability and Career Confidence
No matter what career path you choose - whether you want to stay local, run your own business, or aim for something completely new - your mindset plays a huge role in what you achieve. Your beliefs, confidence and willingness to take action all shape the opportunities you see and the choices you make.
In this motivating and engaging session, you’ll explore how your mindset affects your career journey and future success. You’ll learn how to build self-belief, stay motivated, and develop the mindset employers value most - helping you feel more confident, capable and ready for the world of work.
Manage Your Mindset: Reduce Exam Anxiety & Perform at Your Best
Are your exams getting the better of you — physically, mentally, or emotionally? How you think affects how you perform. A negative or unprepared mindset can lead to anxiety, stress, poor concentration, physical symptoms, and lower achievement. But it doesn't have to be that way.
In this empowering 60-minute session, you’ll explore how to take control of your mind under pressure and perform with greater confidence and calm. Whether you're preparing for written exams, practical assessments, or coursework deadlines, this session will give you tools to manage stress and stay in control.
Why Choose James Dand:
Experience That Counts
With over two decades delivering programmes for 16–19-year-olds college and post-18 university students, plus experience as a higher education manager, James deeply understands student needs and how to engage and inspire them effectively.
Built on the Inner Anthem System
Each talk and workshop is underpinned by James’s unique Inner Anthem System - a practical framework of five core elements designed to help students strengthen self-belief, build resilience, and unlock their potential in study, work, and life.
More Than Motivation
James doesn’t just share inspirational stories. Every session combines energising delivery with proven mindset strategies and practical tools students can apply straight away - helping them overcome real challenges and achieve lasting change.
Added Value for Your Organisation
To maximise impact and engagement, all talks and workshops can also include: needs surveys, promotional materials, evaluation feedback, follow-up learning resources, and post-event questions answered.