News

A Liverpool-based business offering affordable tuition is to embark on a nationwide expansion plan after securing its first stage of funding requirements worth up to £5m.

Accelerate Learning, which provides tuition from £10 an hour to children aged 5-18 has secured the investment from the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust (PNFT), which has assets in excess of £200m in the UK and abroad and owns a diverse range of companies including developer LPC Living.

The investment from the Trust will allow Accelerate to launch an aggressive business plan to expand from their four existing sites in Knutsford, Alderley Edge, Liverpool and the Wirral. £500,000 has been invested to date with up to £5m set aside to finance Accelerate’s ambition to have a network of up to 50 centres across the UK by 2016.

It is estimated that the private tuition market is worth £6bn a year with 1 in 4 parents paying for extra-curricular education for their children. However, fees can vary considerably and as the industry is unregulated parents have no guarantees about the quality of the service being provided.

Accelerate’s approach is to offer tuition to smaller groups of no more than six children in a fully equipped and supportive environment, free from the pressures children sometimes experience in their school life. All teaching staff are CRB checked and, unlike some of their competitors, are qualified teaching professionals.

Hourly rates start from £10 compared to the national average of £22** with subjects covered including English, Maths and Science as well as 11+, GCSE and A-Level exam preparation. Each Ofsted-accredited centre offers bespoke learning programmes with brain training quizzes to improve memory and concentration and specially designed chill out zones with games and activities.

Anthony Akaraonye, Director of Accelerate Learning, said “Personal tuition is being increasingly viewed by parents as a necessity for their children to provide a level playing field and help boost their confidence and motivation.

“Our research has shown that members attending a centre for just two hours a week can work up to a level up to 12 months ahead of their educational ability than when they first joined the learning programme. With today’s announcement we are hugely excited to bring our services to parents and children across the country.”

Mr Akaraonye has more than 25 years’ experience in education and working with children and was previously Head of Children’s Services for Liverpool City Council. Together with his wife Gillian, who has over 20 years’ experience in education, Anthony co-founded Auckland College Independent high school and nursery. Anthony is also founder and Director of Pepperberry Day Nurseries in Wilmslow, Cheshire, classified as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted in its most recent inspection.

Rudi Falla, spokesperson for the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust said “A key belief of the Trust is socially responsible investment, particularly in projects and businesses which help provide long-term benefits to communities and young people. Today’s announcement will help kickstart Accelerate Learning’s expansion plans and provide parents with a trusted and, crucially, affordable tuition provider on their local high street.”

The funding from the Trust is already being put to use with Accelerate understood to be in negotiations over a number of new sites across the UK.