Teach, have fun and turn a profit (Daily Mail franchise)
posted on 03-Nov-2008
Teach, have fun and turn a profit
by Linda Whitney
IF YOU enjoy teaching, a franchise could turn it into a business. You don't usually need formal teaching experience to tackle a teaching franchise, but it helps if you've spent time dealing with children, and have lots of confidence and patience.
Marie Gibb (pictured), from Dinton, Wilts, runs a Kumon Educational franchise which involves giving around 300 children extra English and maths tuition every week.
'I run classes at local venues. Each child only comes in for 20 minutes or so, but the course is designed to give them work at exactly the level they need,' says Marie, 65, a former deputy head teacher.
'It's so rewarding to see their progress. Children who were at the bottom of a primary school class have gone on to get excellent GCSE results,' she says.
But Marie adds: 'It's not just about teaching. There is a lot of administration, and you have to market your business, though after six years, most pupils come by word of mouth.' Nikki Saunders, of Kumon Educational, says: 'We like franchisees to have experience with children, perhaps as volunteer in schools, plus a passion for seeing a child grow, as well as confidence and business skills,' The franchise fee includes training, and the monthly royalty, 45 per cent of fees, includes all worksheets and marketing help.
Other teaching franchises include Musical Minis, which involves running singing and music sessions for babies and toddlers.
The emphasis is on fun, so you don't need music qualifications. The £8,000 cost includes training, all materials and equipment.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, founded by Sir Paul McCartney, has just launched as a franchise, called LIPA 4:19. It involves running an academy to teach four to 19-year-olds performance skills, and will suit teachers, parents or existing performers. Cost is £13,500.
KUMON Educational: 0800 854 714, Musical Minis: 0208 868 0001, LIPA 4:19: 0161 926 9882.
