School Mergers and Aquisitions

Steed Education provides advice and project management services for mergers and acquisitions.

The coming years are likely to see a consolidation of schools and schools groups both internationally and in the UK independent sector. Steed Education is here to provide reliable advice and support through these complex transitions. Recognising that school leaders don’t always have the capacity to take on these important projects, Steed Education is able to take on the project management, doing the heavy lifting.

International Schools’ Group Mergers

Steed Education works with Private Equity firms and Schools Groups which are looking to expand their portfolio through mergers, acquisition and new ventures. We have extensive knowledge of for-profit, franchise and not-for-profit schools’ market in the Middle East and Asia; and personal contacts with many of the school leaders in the region.

U.K. Independent School Mergers:

Steed Education works with UK Senior and Prep Schools helping them navigate the complex processes of a merger:

• development of a school M&A strategy;

• logistical planning of the merger;

• development of a communication strategy for key stakeholder groups;

• due diligence reports;

• project management

New Schools

Steed Education provides on-the-ground support to UK independent schools who are looking to set up franchise branches in the Middle East or in South East Asia.

We can be involved from the initial stage of new school planning, through to the opening.

Our services include:

• Site appraisal

  • Assessment of the suitability of sites for school or day nursery use;

  • Evaluation of the appropriateness of potential sites for the provision of outstanding education.

• Building design

  • Working with appointed architects to ensure that the designs meet the needs of day-to-day school use;

  • Design interior and exterior specialist learning spaces.

• School Leader and Teacher Recruitment strategy and implementation

  • Translating school staffing requirements into a recruitment strategy;

  • Liaising with the regulatory authorities to ensure that any requirements regarding qualifications are built into the appointment process;

  • Suggestions re. key recruitment fairs, advertisement campaigns and other recruitment events.

• Pupil Recruitment and Admissions strategy

  • Advising on Admissions Team staffing structures and Admissions data management systems;

  • Advising on Student Admissions Criteria and Assessment Testing materials/ systems.

• Supporting Marketing/Publicity events

  • Desktop Competitor Analysis

  • Liaising with external marketing agencies (e.g. briefing on the launch of the new school);

  • Supporting launch events with keynote presentations and media interviews, prior to the appointment of the Leadership Team.

• Curriculum Design

  • Embedding the U.K. National Curriculum into the requirements laid down by a local Education Authority (e.g. with the requirements of the KHDA in Dubai; or the EDB in Shanghai);

  • Liaising with the regulatory authorities to ensure that the curriculum is compliant.

• Resourcing

  • Planning the requirements for furniture and the learning materials for a new school in accordance with regulations that may be in place in different countries.

• Digital strategy and IT Infrastructure Planning

  • Designing the Teaching and Learning Strategy for the new school;

  • Advising on IT Infrastructure and Network Design to enhance learning both onsite and for home-learning;

  • Advising on IT Systems for administration.

Samantha Steed has extensive knowledge of setting up new schools both from her time as the Founding Principal of Ranches Primary in Dubai; and, more recently, in working for Harrow International setting up five new schools in Mainland China.

In Dubai, Samantha was involved in growing the school from the 40 students who opened the school in September 2015 to a roll of 600 four years later. She was involved in the design and fit out of the building

Whilst working for Harrow International Samantha was involved in the planning and launch phases for five Harrow schools across Mainland China: including two Harrow International Schools (Harrow Shenzhen and Harrow Haikou) and three Harrow Innovative Learning Academies (Harrow Nanning, Harrow Chongqing, Harrow Zhuhai). She played a leading part in setting up Early Years units under the Harrow early years ‘Little Lions’ brand.

Testimonial

“From our first meeting with Samantha it was evident that she understood our vision, mission, and values to ensure the successful launch of our large international school. Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience of the industry, she focused her energy and resources on creating a detailed and organised strategic plan that united all stakeholders.

Samantha is an effective communicator, collaborator, and leader. We were able to step back from the project with the knowledge that it was in safe and competent hands. We look forward to working with Samantha and Steed Education in the future.”

Amay Bhojani, CEO IMV Dubai.