Open an Independent School
The increasing demand for high-quality AP and SEND provision, coupled with the limited opportunities to open new academies, means establishing an independent school may be the best way to meet local educational need. At PAG, we can help with the process of establishing an independent school from the initial feasibility study all the way through to pre-opening support.
We provide expert, end-to-end consultancy to help you turn ambition into reality. Whether you're at the idea stage or deep into the registration process, we offer tailored support to help you navigate every requirement, avoid costly missteps, and launch with confidence.
How to open a new independent school
Our wider sector work involves a range of services including project initiation and strategy development, market feasibility and analysis, LA presumption and DfE central wave application drafting, policy development, business planning, and project management.
We deploy that same expertise to support clients seeking to open independent provision. PAG has worked with MATs, independent providers, and education-adjacent organisations, engaging with each client to understand their unique context and priorities, creating bespoke combinations of products and services that support their journey to opening an independent school.
Independent school opening journey
Establishing an independent school involves determining the availability of suitable students, assessing financial sustainability, and ensuring the necessary expertise and resources are in place.
PAG works closely with each client to understand their unique context and priorities, creating a bespoke combination of services to support their journey to opening an independent school, which can involve:
Independent school feasibility study
​
A detailed feasibility study is the essential first step when establishing an independent school. PAG's feasibility services are designed to help you evaluate demand, understand your operating environment, and plan with confidence.
​
Our independent school feasibility studies include:
​
-
Local market analysis and demand forecasting
-
High-level financial modelling
-
Operational capacity and staffing requirement assessment
-
Legal, governance, and compliance considerations
-
Stakeholder engagement strategy
-
Project timelines and regulatory process mapping
Business case development for independent schools
​
Building on your feasibility study, our business case service transforms ideas into a fundable, investable plan. This is ideal for new school founders preparing to engage investors, partners, or regulators.
Your business case will include:
-
Full startup and operational budget planning
-
5-year financial forecast
-
Risk register and contingency planning
-
Marketing and stakeholder engagement plan
-
Summary of legal structure and governance model
-
Curriculum overview, vision statement, and KPIs for pre-opening
Independent school registration support
​
Policy creation​
PAG can lead on the full creation of policy and curriculum documentation for your independent school registration. These materials not only meet DfE registration standards, but also ensure you have a strong foundation for inspection and daily operations.​​
​
Drafting support​
Already have existing documentation? We’ll adapt and enhance it to meet the Department for Education’s registration requirements, including curriculum and policy reviews, plus application form completion.​​​
​
QA review only​
Our quality assurance service provides a detailed review of your curriculum and policy documents, ensuring alignment with DfE criteria and offering feedback to strengthen your application.
Independent school FAQs
Can PAG help with curriculum design, including Schemes of Work?
Yes. We can create bespoke curriculum materials, or review and adapt existing schemes to meet DfE expectations.
​
Do you support the implementation of non-UK curricula?
Yes, we regularly work with clients implementing international or alternative curricula.
​
Can PAG help identify school running costs?
Absolutely. Our financial modelling will give you a realistic picture of startup and ongoing costs.
​
Can you assist with site identification?
Yes - we work with our partner AMR Consult to offer specialist site search and suitability assessments. Contact us to discuss this further.
​
What if we discover EHCP funding issues post-opening?
We can support you with reviewing EHCP funding and, where necessary, assist in preparing for judicial review.