http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/whoarewe.htm STC have been in business for over 20 years, acting as confidential brokers exclusively to the independent education sector. Our partners own a school and nursery themselves so they understand the mechanisms and sensitivities of educational businesses. THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY. When an educational business is being sold, it is vital that all negotiations and the entire process are kept very strictly confidential. If they are not, it is very likely that the parents and staff will become anxious, rumour and gossip will abound and the business will become destabilised. Pupils can start to melt away like Spring snow. STC ’s partners bought a school in 1978 to save it from closure. The school revived and expanded. Enquiries about relocating the school led to rumours which caused a mass desertion by the parents. At that point, it was clear that there was a need for a confidential brokerage to help people relocate, sell or merge independent schools. After two years of research, STC was established in 1986. From small beginnings it has grown into a trusted brokerage selling all kinds of educational businesses from day nurseries through to Sixth Form colleges in the UK, Europe and worldwide. As STC continues to grow, our guiding principles are that we shall only do it if we can do it well. And we shall only work with buyers and sellers we trust. (Fortunately, there is no shortage of these. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/Businessesforsale.htm IS INDEPENDENT EDUCATION A WORTHWHILE SECTOR FOR INVESTMENT? Yes, for a variety of solid reasons: 1. Life is short. Education matters. It is a worthwhile way to spend your energy. 2. It is an excellent long-term investment – because its ‘customers’ are committed for the long term. Parents who have chosen to invest in education for their children do so out of care and passionate aspirations for their heirs. They will generally remain loyal customers for between 5 and 15 years. They pay in advance; plus a deposit. They give at least a term’s notice. They are prepared to make all sorts of personal sacrifices in order to keep their children at schools where they are performing and happy. That describes nearly all independent schools these days. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/advice.htm#buyers Selling your educational business can be a stressful undertaking. However, problems and timescales can be reduced by careful preparation. Issues that should be checked and verified for validity are: 1. Documentation a) Do staff contracts or subsequent letters of notification reflect current terms of employment? b) Are current job descriptions clearly set out? c) Are all your maintenance contracts (for computers, photocopiers etc.) up to date? d) Are all necessary fire and fire equipment certificates up to date? e) Are all necessary leasing arrangement documents easily to hand? f) i) Is the most up to date copy of your property lease readily available? OR ii) Do you have a recent valuation of the freehold or details of similar properties as price comparables? Do you have the deeds to hand: have you looked at the covenants? g) Are there any informal, undocumented agreements in place with third parties? Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/advice.htm#buyers WHO SELLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND NURSERIES? Private individuals who wish to retire, change course, trade up or sell for personal reasons. Educational companies backed by venture capital who have increased profits by any means available and want to take profits. Family-owned companies who wish to rationalise, alter their geographical profile or sell up for a variety of reasons. Many of these prefer to be absorbed by a trust or another family or individual owner who may be sympathetic to their ethos. Charitable Trusts when one of their schools no longer fits the picture or needs significant new investment of energy and talent. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.schooltransfer.co.uk/Businessesforsale.htm Educational Businesses and Premises for Sale North Middle South & International We have other larger propositions which cannot appear on this list as they are too sensitive. Buyers with a budget of £5 million or more are invited to discuss their aims in complete confidence with us after which we may initiate preliminary discussions with suitable vendors. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT