What does it take for a business to make a lasting impact in an industry? We’ve backed some of the most exciting pioneers in all kinds of markets and have taken inspiration from their innovative solutions to challenges. And one sector where exceptional service makes a massive difference is in specialist schools.
With rising numbers of students needing additional support, many state schools can’t cope with the demand, resulting in cramped classrooms and even children leaving school altogether. In 2023, over 1.5 million pupils in England have special educational needs (SEN) – an increase of 87,000 from 2022. This means 17.3% of all pupils in the UK have special educational needs.
The most common type of need for those with an EHC plan is autistic spectrum disorder and for those with SEN support is speech, language and communication needs.
This is where dedicated special educational needs (SEN) schools are stepping in to meet the demand. These schools exclusively focus on children with additional needs, often in much larger sites and smaller classroom sizes. As a result, this reduces the pressure on state schools and gives SEN students the focused, specialised education they need.
Melrose Education is a school group with a portfolio of dedicated SEN and alternative education schools around the country. With an experienced board leading their acquisition plans and careful use of debt finance, it’s committed to developing first-class schools while growing sustainably. So we’re reflecting on what Melrose Education has got right and how other businesses in this space can replicate its best practices.
Committing to delivering specialised education
For specialist education providers such as SEN schools, a people-focused approach can make all the difference in pupils’ lives. Mainstream schools may not have been able to support children with complex needs in the best way, which is why parents may turn to a school where this is its main focus. But delivering top SEN education isn’t a case of copying and pasting a winning formula on a huge scale to grow at the expense of the service provided. Instead, Melrose takes its tried-and-tested approach of limited places per school, meaning it can focus on giving more attention to the pupils it has.
Melrose Education outlines its vision as ‘creating a group of inclusive schools where individuality and achievement are celebrated so that every learner can exceed their potential through equity of care, education, and opportunity.’ So far in its mission to achieve this, they have been acquiring schools that already provide specialised education and supporting them further with additional funding to keep giving dedicated care, attention and resources to its pupils.
Using expert leadership to guide future growth
Running SEN schools as a business can be a tricky balance, especially when especially as many state schools have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of pupils with SEN, and simply don’t have the resource to accommodate this. You’ll need leaders who understand the industry and prioritise specialist care when delivering education but also have a head for business. It’s no good running a school with a fantastic service that will eventually go bankrupt. There’s also a huge value in having leaders that will stick around for the long run, as this will help keep consistency in education styles and the experience of the pupils.
Melrose Education CEO Tracey Storey has decades of experience in senior roles in early learning and schools. She’s held leadership positions in multiple nurseries and specialist schools, staying in positions for long periods and guiding many schools to industry award wins. She was personally named one of the top 10 ‘Highest Rated CEOs in the UK” by Glassdoor in 2020.
Her experience also included schools with Montessori and Forest School curriculums, so she’s seen first-hand how to implement alternative learning. This is the kind of CEO that a specialist education company needs — someone with a passion for the industry who also has years of experience to guide them.
Steady growth while keeping education standards high
For SEN schools, growth will always need to be the right balance of investment in your facilities while keeping things profitable so you can continue operating and reaching even more pupils. Investment in the right teachers, equipment and sites can add up, so Melrose Education’s approach has been to acquire new schools and bring their expertise to how they’re run.
They’ve stuck to an achievable goal of one to two acquisitions a year, keeping growth steady while maintaining the education standards they have become known for. When we provided Melrose Education with a business loan in April 2023, they had a portfolio of six sites, and they used the money to fund their acquisition plan further. As demand for higher-quality SEN schools rises, parents will want to turn to a name they recognise within the industry. This is one of Storey’s biggest aims by growing their brand – making their name one of the most recognisable special needs providers.
If you’ve been lucky enough to have a memorable teacher growing up, the impact has likely stuck with you for many years after school. This impact is even more important for SEN pupils, who the broader education system isn’t designed for. So it’s really admirable to see Melrose Education growing and offering this kind of specialist education around the country.
Inspired by the success of Melrose Education and looking for a business loan for your own growth plans? Check out how we can fund your next speciality education or nursery project.
