Setting Up a New School is an Exciting Challenge

Embarking on the journey of setting up a new school involves many considerations, each crucial to establishing a successful and sustainable institution. With our extensive experience in launching schools across diverse and unique locations, we understand the complexities and challenges you may face.

To support you through this process, we have crafted a comprehensive summary to guide you through the initial stages. This overview highlights key steps and critical factors to consider, ensuring that you are well-prepared to create an educational environment that meets your vision and serves the needs of your community.

Our team is dedicated to assisting you every step of the way, from conceptualizing your school’s mission to implementing operational strategies. We’re here to provide expert guidance and ensure your school’s foundation is solid and positioned for long-term success.

Feel free to contact us for personalised support and insights tailored to your specific needs and goals.

(See also our AI Video of the same content)

Feasibility Study and Market Research for Setting up a New School

Planning and opening a school must begin with this important step. Making assumptions can be expensive, but a comprehensive study will minimise risk and maximise your chances of success. Even if it is already clear that the school will advance, this research will influence many decisions in the set-up process, including Vision/Mission, Financial Planning, Curriculum, Admissions etc.

Some things to review:

• Industry analysis
• Market analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Marketing strategy
• Operations
• Human resources (staffing models and skills audit)
• Financial planning (min 10 years)

Our studies and the report range from 70-225 Pages, including a comprehensive 10-year financial model that is used by private equity and investment groups in their strategic planning.(Learn More)

 

Vision and Mission – “The Voice”

While some may view a school’s vision and mission as mere formalities or decorative messages on a feature wall, they are, in fact, foundational elements when setting up a new school. We prefer to consider this step defining the school’s unique “voice.” This voice is crucial, as it will shape every aspect of the institution, from its design and curriculum to staff selection and policy development.

Envision the future, 20 years later, when alumni return to the school to share their stories and reflect on their experiences. How will they describe their time at your school? What distinctive qualities will set your school apart from others? What unique “Signature Experiences” will they recall and cherish?

A clear and compelling school voice ensures that every decision aligns with a cohesive vision, creating an environment that resonates with students, staff, and the wider community. It helps build a memorable and distinctive identity that stands out in a crowded educational landscape, making your school not just another institution, but a place with a unique and lasting impact.

By identifying and nurturing this unique voice, you will lay the groundwork for a school that is effective and engaging and celebrated for its distinctiveness and enduring influence.

What are the “Signature Experiences“?

 

Financial Planning – The Business Plan for Setting up a School

Both non-profit and for-profit schools must develop a thorough business plan that includes a robust financial strategy for both the short and long term. We recommend crafting a detailed 10-year plan, acknowledging that a school typically takes 3-5 years to attain a stable financial footing.

Consider key questions such as:

• Will you invest in and own the facility? This involves assessing whether you will manage the property aspect separately (PropCo) from the operational side.
• Will you invest in and own the business operations? This question focuses on whether you will manage the school’s operational aspects independently (OpCo).
• Will you engage a professional education management team? This can influence the effectiveness of the school’s administration and educational quality.
• What is your investment horizon? Determine your long-term financial outlook and how it aligns with your goals for the school.

Addressing these considerations can create a comprehensive plan that supports the school’s sustainable growth and success, ensuring that both financial and operational aspects are strategically managed.

 

Strategic Planning for a School

Long-term planning is crucial for maintaining a clear focus and achieving your goals. In a school’s fast-paced, complex, and often stressful environment, it’s easy for leaders to become reactive and lose sight of their overarching objectives. Effective management must prioritize strategic planning with a forward-looking perspective of at least 5-10 years to counter this.

By committing to long-term planning, school leaders can ensure that their decisions and actions align with their vision and goals, rather than being driven solely by immediate challenges. This proactive approach helps to create a stable foundation for the school’s future, allowing for thoughtful responses to changing circumstances and ensuring sustained progress towards its mission.

Accreditation and Licensing for a School

1. Local License: In most cases, schools will require local licensing through an education ministry and the endorsement and support from several government departments. This can be tricky and requires thorough planning and attention to detail.
2. International Curriculum: Using an international curriculum such as the UK, US, or a framework such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) will also require programs to meet standards that will be checked and monitored by a governing body. Most of these accreditations are best achieved by good education management principles, which begin right from the early planning stages.
3. School Accreditation: A school might choose to pursue external accreditation to validate quality. There are many to choose from, and most include an external inspection against set standards.

Learn more about accreditation

Architectural Design

Every school is unique, and its design should reflect both local needs and the specific nature of its curriculum, vision, and mission. Before collaborating with an architect, it is essential to first engage with a school operator who has a deep understanding of the curriculum and key teaching and learning priorities.

Gone are simplistic designs with rows of classrooms and a central corridor. Today’s school designs require thoughtful consideration of capacity, class sizes, and future needs, blending educational and business perspectives. An educator must be involved in this process to ensure the design supports effective teaching and learning while accommodating practical operational requirements.

By integrating educational insights into the design process, you can create a learning environment that is functional and aligned with your school’s goals, paving the way for a successful and adaptive educational facility.

Learn about:  Area required to set up a school.

Construction

Each location presents its own set of construction standards, costs, and processes. Navigating these complexities requires specialized expertise to ensure the project stays on track. Construction delays or cost overruns can be financially costly in terms of project timelines.

To mitigate these risks, hiring an experienced project manager with a keen attention to detail is essential. Effective project management involves overseeing the construction process and closely monitoring every aspect of the project. Vigilantly manage and adhere to project timeframes, and be prepared to actively address any issues.

By employing a skilled project manager and staying actively involved, you can help ensure that the construction of your school progresses smoothly and remains within budget, ultimately contributing to the successful realization of your vision.

Interior Design

Several critical design considerations must be considered when making decisions about internal facilities, materials, and resources.

Upfront Costs: Initial expenses constitute a significant factor influencing choices about materials and resources. It’s important to balance quality with budget constraints to stay within financial limits while achieving a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Maintenance: Long-term maintenance of materials and facilities must also be considered. Opting for high-quality, durable materials may involve higher upfront costs, but they can reduce long-term maintenance expenses and extend the lifespan of the facilities.

Functionality: The design should facilitate the effective functioning of the school’s educational activities. This includes ensuring that spaces are designed to support various teaching methods, accommodate different types of learning, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Balancing these factors is crucial for creating a school environment that is both cost-effective and capable of meeting the needs of students and staff over time.

Branding and Marketing

Schools offer a unique “product/service” fundamentally different from more conventional offerings like cars. When families choose a school, they are not merely purchasing a service but joining a community and investing in their child’s future.

Effective branding and communication should, therefore, reflect a profound understanding of education and the values that families prioritize while considering the local context. It is essential to study and seek expertise in this area to ensure your messaging resonates with your target audience and aligns with their expectations.

We strongly advocate leveraging social media as a powerful tool in today’s landscape. Social media functions as the modern equivalent of “word of mouth,” allowing you to reach and engage with families dynamically and interactively. By utilizing these platforms effectively, you can build a strong, positive image for your school and foster community among current and prospective families.

Learn more about marketing or social and digital marketing strategies.

ICT Planning for a School

Investing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for schools can involve significant upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. To manage these costs effectively and ensure that your technology investments are sound, involving an expert from the outset is crucial. An experienced consultant can guide you in making informed decisions that will save money in the long run by optimizing both initial investments and ongoing expenditures.

What was considered cutting-edge technology 5-10 years ago may now be standard practice. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on contemporary technology platforms and hybrid delivery models that cater to the needs of digital natives. Implementing systems and pedagogies that align with current technological advancements ensures that your school remains relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Resources for a New School

Determining the necessary resources for a new school and establishing the appropriate timeline for their acquisition can be challenging. Additionally, differences of opinion among key staff members regarding what is needed and how best to allocate funds can introduce subjectivity into these decisions.

To navigate this complexity, we recommend starting with a core list of essential resources fundamental to the school’s operation and educational goals. You can gradually expand and refine the list based on evolving needs and priorities from this baseline. This approach allows for a structured and flexible strategy, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively while accommodating your staff’s varying perspectives and requirements.

By beginning with a core set of resources and adjusting as needed, you can maintain focus on critical needs and manage budgetary considerations more efficiently.

 

School Management in a New School

Research consistently shows that effective school management is the primary factor influencing a school’s success. Therefore, it is crucial that your leadership team is supported by strong educational expertise.

To ensure that your school operates at its highest potential, it is essential to assemble a quality management team with a deep understanding of educational practices and leadership. This team should be capable of guiding the school through both day-to-day operations and strategic planning, addressing challenges, and driving continuous improvement.

Investing in a knowledgeable and skilled management team will provide the foundation needed for a successful and thriving educational institution, ultimately leading to better outcomes for students and the school community.

Learn more about education management.

Admissions

The admissions process in a new school must be clear, transparent, and grounded in educational rationale. Your primary goal should be to admit students whose needs and aspirations align with what your school can effectively support and address.

To achieve this, develop credible and relevant admissions criteria and tests. These tests should serve as benchmarks for determining appropriate grade placement and ensure that the students admitted will benefit from and contribute positively to the educational environment.

By establishing a well-defined admissions process and using objective measures to guide placement decisions, you can create a well-matched student body to your school’s offerings, enhancing individual student success and overall school performance.

 

Staffing/Recruitment

Your staffing plan will be closely tied to your financial plan. Carefully calculate the ratios of staff to students and the needs for support and administrative staff. As your school grows, these ratios are likely to become more efficient, so it is important to seek expert advice during the planning process to optimize staffing.

Recruitment strategies vary in cost and effectiveness. Typically, higher-quality recruitment channels attract the best teachers, so investing in these channels is worthwhile. Be mindful that, as a new school, you are also marketing yourself to potential staff, not just students.

Develop a professional and engaging website and utilize effective promotional strategies to attract top talent. By presenting your school as an attractive and well-supported workplace, you can draw in skilled educators enthusiastic about contributing to your school’s success.

 

Curriculum Design

During the initial planning phase, you won’t create a detailed curriculum just yet, but you should begin outlining a general curriculum plan. This plan will vary based on your key pedagogical priorities—how you intend to teach—and the curriculum framework you choose, whether it’s British, American, Australian, IB, or another model.

Start by defining broad educational goals and key subjects, considering how your chosen pedagogy will influence teaching methods and learning outcomes. This foundational outline will guide the development of a more detailed curriculum later and ensure that it aligns with your educational vision and your students’ needs.

By establishing a clear direction for your curriculum plan early on, you can make informed decisions as you move forward, ensuring that your educational approach supports your school’s mission and provides a solid foundation for future development.

 

School Policies

Standard school handbooks containing school policies can vary significantly in length, ranging from 20 to over 100 pages. Developing a comprehensive handbook is a time-consuming process. Still, ensuring that it accurately reflects local laws, government regulations, and the standards set by any accreditations you have or are pursuing is essential.

A well-prepared handbook is a crucial reference for staff, students, and parents, outlining the policies and procedures governing school operations. By incorporating relevant legal and accreditation requirements, you ensure that your handbook supports effective school management and compliance while providing clear guidance for the school community.

 

School Review Processes and Action Plans for Setting up a New School

To achieve excellence, a school must implement robust review processes and internal standards to measure its performance and progress. A 10-year strategic plan should be decomposed into manageable components, including annual plans, term plans, and, when necessary, weekly action plans. This structured approach ensures that key priorities are consistently addressed and that the school remains focused on its long-term goals.

Engaging an education management team is crucial for school owners without a strong educational background. This team provides the expertise needed to develop and execute effective plans, ensuring the school’s strategies are informed by educational best practices and aligned with its mission. Their support will help navigate the complexities of school management and contribute to the institution’s overall success.

Training and Development

Hiring exceptional teachers is only the beginning; investing in their ongoing training and development is equally important. By responding to internal review processes, academic data, and feedback, you can continuously refine teaching practices to enhance effectiveness and support student success.

The most valuable resource within a school is its human capital. Investing in your staff through professional development and responsive adjustments based on performance data and feedback will foster a dynamic and effective learning environment. This commitment to your Human Resources supports the growth of your teachers and contributes significantly to the school’s overall success.

 

Timelines for Setting Up a New School

Determining a timeline for setting up a new school can be challenging, as many tasks will occur concurrently and interdependently. For example, securing accreditations often depends on various factors, including recruiting a strong team. Similarly, the building process can vary widely from 6 months to a year. This timeframe depends on the size and location of the construction, as well as the time required for additional approval processes.

If you are using or refurbishing an existing facility, the process might be simpler, but renovations can also present unforeseen challenges. It’s important to anticipate potential delays and plan for a longer timeline than initially expected. Factors beyond your control, such as government approvals and weather conditions, can impact the overall schedule.

By accounting for these variables and maintaining flexibility, you can better manage the complexities of setting up your new school.

 

A Vision for the Future

Will your school model remain relevant in 5-10 years? It is crucial that your school is designed with a future-ready approach, avoiding reliance on outdated education concepts. From the vision and mission to the physical design, technology, and leadership team, every aspect should be aligned with contemporary best practices and adaptable to future developments.

A forward-thinking vision and strategic plan are essential for creating a school that will meet current educational standards and evolve with future needs. By ensuring that your design and strategies are flexible and innovative, you set the stage for a school that will thrive and continue to provide exceptional education in the years to come.

 If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school check out some of our other articles:

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

What are our most popular articles?

We have compiled a list of our top 8 below:

How Much Area is Required to Set Up a School?

The Importance of Strategic Planning for Successful School Management

International Education and the Leading School Groups

Private School Ownership and Management Models

Open a School – 10 Things to Consider

What is the Recipe for Outstanding School Leadership?

Steps to Setting Up a New School

10 Steps and 10 Articles on How to Set Up a New School

All of our new articles are also published on LinkedIn so follow Greg Parry and Global Services in Education to be the first to get new information.

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Who is Global Services in Education (GSE)

Global Services in Education is a company led by education experts. They are proven education leaders who know how to set up and manage international schools. GSE can lead the project from the initial idea to set up and full management. Kindergarten, Primary, Middle and High School, Universities and Adult education.

“I love great food and I love beautiful restaurants but that doesn’t mean I should set up and operate a restaurant. Everyone has been to a school and many have sent their children to one but that does not mean they are fully qualified and have the skills to guarantee the school’s success. The key difference between a great school and a failing school is its educational leadership. GSE has developed a reputation for being an invaluable bridge between education and business, particularly in unique cultural contexts.” Greg Parry, CEO.

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www.gsineducation.com

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Minister’s Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company GSE (Global Services in Education) has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education 2015 and 2016. Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals worldwide in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start-up projects, leadership and curriculum development has made him a sought-after authority in these disciplines.[/author_info] [/author]