Grade-A extra tuition
UK’s fastest-growing after-school tuition provider First Class Learning (FCL) is to expand its core focus on English and maths and launch a new science programme this autumn.
Demand from parents, Covid’s disruptive impact and the high-profile role science now plays in everyday life have spurred the franchise business’s move.
Part of a UK supplementary education sector valued at some £6billion, FCL has a network of 300 centres offering personalised tuition aligned to the national curriculum for four to 16-year-olds.
Charges are broadly £60 a month per subject, and children usually learn in small groups at their own pace once a week, along with bite-size structured homework. FCL’s franchise holders are often, but not exclusively, ex-teachers investing £10,000 to start up their own business.
Developing the physics, chemistry and biology modules will increase opportunities for those 250 franchisees, says chief executive Ed Hyslop who, following a private equity-backed management investment in 2016, has overseen international expansion that includes centres in Ireland and Australia and licensed partners in Spain, Singapore and Dubai.
With a forecast of £2million turnover in 2023 for FCL and a combined forecast of £15million-plus for the centres, the company is on track “to improve more children’s learning outcomes, their skills and self-belief,” says Hyslop.
“We are for ‘parents-in-the-middle’ looking for support. Ninety per cent of our centres have reopened for faceto-face sessions – our core proposition. The rest are gearing up to do so over sumTHE mer in time for September. “We’ve seen a rise in those looking for a change, but wanting to stay in education. We also welcome those with business experience who have the qualities needed for the role.”
Despite a pivot supported by Microsoft Teams to go online during the pandemic, FCL’s old-school commitment to pen-and-paper remains.
“Research shows writing things down physically is an important part of the learning process,” explains Hyslop. “This makes our approach more effective than online programmes, as well as decreasing screen time, which delights many parents.
“Our renowned blue worksheets are easier for students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.”
For those children whose parents cannot afford private help, FCL intends to offer support.
“Our franchisees are looking at bursaries and getting access to schemes such as the National Tutoring Programme, offering help for those most affected by school closures,” says Hyslop.