STEM Club

[Deleted member 359348]

Hi folks,

I've been a long time lurker here but finally getting the confidence to start my own little business.

The idea is a STEM/Computing club for kids, whether after-school to provide parents another hour before picking up children (work commitments) and to also increase the knowledge of the Computing curriculum; especially for KS2 students as primary (at least in the North West, where I am) Schools struggle with the delivery of decent computing lessons/sessions. KS3 is becoming more of an issue with the ever-shrinking amount of Computer Science teachers.

My question is, do I have to register with the DfE or Ofsted? Based on what I have read, I don't think I do - but wondered if anyone could shed some light?

Essentially, three parts to this business:

• After school in schools (primary and secondary); from 3-4 pm (give or take, based on the schools day) and I would need 5 schools for this. Each session around 1-2 hours dependent on needs. Aged 8+? Maybe - depending on registration needs.
• Holiday clubs, parents will need to attend with kids but some may be very interested and keen in STEM/Computing so would happily come along and let their kids engage whilst they have a cup of tea etc. Different sessions for different ages; essentially maybe aged 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 etc.
• Possibly, some evening clubs for those that cannot attend during holidays or during 9-5 (ish) hours. Ages similar to holiday club.

I would cover content to aid both the KS2 and KS3 curriculum. Things like computational thinking, algorithms, robotics (age-appropriate) to aid with the previous two, engineering activities with building using new Lego kits and other alternatives, designing/writing/debugging etc.

It is currently a very possible idea. I work in Education right now, I have over 14 years of teaching Computer Science but as a lot of teachers can't see themselves staying until retirement I am looking at different options.

Many thanks for any replies!

Deaytch

 

[WaveJumper]

Couple of questions, as you mention this is a new business idea. Are you looking to run these clubs in the schools, are the schools going to charge you for use of premises, are parents going to fork out for their child to attend if so what sort of price are you putting on this. Are there any other "after school" clubs being run in this way

 

[Deleted member 359348]

Couple of questions, as you mention this is a new business idea. Are you looking to run these clubs in the schools, are the schools going to charge you for use of premises, are parents going to fork out for their child to attend if so what sort of price are you putting on this. Are there any other "after school" clubs being run in this way

Yes, one of the principles would be to deliver in the schools - the school that I have approached has said that they don't charge for premises and it's the parents who pay; all I do is provide 2-3 free places for PP (pupil premium) students which is absolutely fine. The price would be around £7/8 per head (similar to other clubs that I've done research on) and I can do a max of 30 kids per session.

Most primary schools, based on feedback from a couple of friends (one is a deputy head) are keen to get more clubs in to their schools as a way to appeal more parents to send their kids to the schools. Also works well for the parents as they don't have to sort alternative child care etc. At this same school that I have direct feedback from, clubs charge between £6-£10 per head depending on what the club is.

Also, important to note. The way I plan to charge is per half-term/term as that way I have guaranteed income. To alleviate any times that kids are off sick or on holiday or for other reasons - all will be in my policies and terms/conditions.

 

[MOIC]

@Deaytch Great idea, especially aimed at primary schools to get the pupils interested in STEM.

I've been involved in the tech industry for the past 30 years, concentrating on products to help the visually impaired, and in my opinion, STEM should be promoted heavily from primary school age.

Wish you success!

 

[Deleted member 359348]

@Deaytch Great idea, especially aimed at primary schools to get the pupils interested in STEM.

I've been involved in the tech industry for the past 30 years, concentrating on products to help the visually impaired, and in my opinion, STEM should be promoted heavily from primary school age.

Wish you success!

Thank you! I appreciate this as it's exactly the feedback I get from a lot of staff and parents from Primary and Secondary settings.

 

[IanSuth]

we have them around us in berkshire called Kumon - one of my daughters ALevel computer science classmates helps out tutoring at one. They are or were based in the vestibule of the local sainsburys, They advertise by doing silly maths based games in a shopping centre and handing out sweet prizes with a business card

 

[Deleted member 359348]

we have them around us in berkshire called Kumon - one of my daughters ALevel computer science classmates helps out tutoring at one. They are or were based in the vestibule of the local sainsburys, They advertise by doing silly maths based games in a shopping centre and handing out sweet prizes with a business card

Yeah, I've seen and heard of them lots before. Maths and English support; they've grown very large since their first inception in the 50s.

 

[IanSuth]

Yeah, I've seen and heard of them lots before. Maths and English support; they've grown very large since their first inception in the 50s.

In my opinion they are in many ways after school care that also provides a leg up in Stem - allows parents who are working to feel their kids are not just sat at home watching TV.

The BIG thing seems to be to market to the socio ecconomic and racial groups who really value education in their children and so are happy to forgo a fancy meal out a month to pay for it. If you stand outside the local one it is immediately obvious who you need to target your marketing at.

I am lucky in that all 3 of my children have been better than average on the stem side (boy did 5 ALevels both girls 4) so havent needed the extra but I have noticed a close family friend whose husband is a tradesman would never have considered paying any £ to tutor her daughter despite her struggling to get her maths gcse grade5 she needed - it was just not on her radar that it was a useful spend compared to a few mcdonalds a month

 

[Deleted member 359348]

In my opinion they are in many ways after school care that also provides a leg up in Stem - allows parents who are working to feel their kids are not just sat at home watching TV.

The BIG thing seems to be to market to the socio ecconomic and racial groups who really value education in their children and so are happy to forgo a fancy meal out a month to pay for it. If you stand outside the local one it is immediately obvious who you need to target your marketing at.

I am lucky in that all 3 of my children have been better than average on the stem side (boy did 5 ALevels both girls 4) so havent needed the extra but I have noticed a close family friend whose husband is a tradesman would never have considered paying any £ to tutor her daughter despite her struggling to get her maths gcse grade5 she needed - it was just not on her radar that it was a useful spend compared to a few mcdonalds a month

I completely agree with you! Appreciate the input too.

They way that I am going to market and promote will in essence grab those markets quickly. The price point potentially may play a little part to this as well. Thank you, really interesting point of view on socio economic and racial group focus too!