5 Things You Didn't Know About Stagecoach

Stagecoach is a performing arts franchise that teaches children how to sing, dance and act. Regular sessions are grouped into term-long programmes that last 12 weeks. Children aged 4-18 can enrol onto these and gradually develop core life skills, such as confidence, self-assurance and resilience. Since it was established in the UK in 1988, Stagecoach has spent three decades refining its franchise model and improving the service it provides.

Stagecoach is a relatively well-known performing arts school. But here are five things you may not have realised about the company:

1. Children get the chance to perform in real theatres.

You might be surprised to learn that Stagecoach attendees get the chance to perform in the West End. Her Majesty’s Theatre (which usually shows Phantom of the Opera) and The Shaftesbury Theatre (Motown) are just two of the theatres that children might have the chance to perform in. Stagecoach organises these trips to theatres across the world several times a year. One of these performances is the Stagecoach Summer Showcase, a musical that any of the school’s pupils can audition for.

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Stagecoach also takes its children to perform in the Disney Pre Parade every July. This show lasts for four days and, last year, more than 500 students participated. These opportunities are a vital part of the Showcase experience, as it gives children a sense of what it is like to be a professional singer, dancer or actor.

2. Children can achieve performing arts qualifications through Stagecoach.

Pupils are encouraged to earn qualifications with established performing arts institutions for a small extra fee. To offer these qualifications, Stagecoach has teamed up with The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). It also has links to Trinity College London (formerly the Guildhall School of Music and Drama), Rock School Ltd (RSL) and the New Era Academy (NEA).

3. Stagecoach alumni get exclusive benefits.

The business classes anyone over the age of 18 who has attended its classes for at least three consecutive terms as an official alumnus. This means that they can get VIP tickets to all Stagecoach performances – including those in the West End – as well as entry to regional reunions, fundraising events and Q&A sessions. These regular sessions should give attendees an insight into what it’s like to work in a range of different industries.

But that isn’t all. Those who would like to pursue teaching can gain a 25 percent discount on the training to achieve an Associates Diploma in Teaching Performing Arts. This is an A Level 4 qualification that gives graduates the confidence to teach drama, dance and music with confidence.

4. Stagecoach has partnered with YoungMinds, a children’s charity.

Stagecoach offers children a safe space in which to explore themselves through performing arts. This can be incredibly valuable for young people, but Stagecoach has also taken it one step further. By forging a partnership with the children’s charity, YoungMinds, Stagecoach is able to maximise its positive impact by promoting mental health awareness in its students.

The performing arts franchise works to raise awareness of the charity’s efforts to change government policies and educate those that work with children. YoungMinds also runs a 24/7 helpline, providing parents with the information they need to best support their children.

5. You can open your own Stagecoach business with its franchise model.

Stagecoach has seen incredible successes since it was first launched, and its franchise model has proven to be popular. There are now more than 300 Stagecoach franchisees and over 1,800 schools worldwide. A total of more than 48,000 children attend Stagecoach classes every week.

If you’re not a natural performer, don’t worry. Stagecoach franchisees are responsible for the lesson plans and making sure that the business reaches the franchise’s strict standards, so you won’t actually be leading any classes. When you join the business, you’ll work with a regional franchise manager to determine your skillset and work out what training you need to join the business. Once this has been established, you’ll get the chance to attend training sessions at the franchise’s head office, as well as a 28-day sales and marketing course. You’ll even be able to shadow an existing Stagecoach franchisee.

If you’ve decided you’d like to be part of this business, you’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer to start your own Stagecoach school from scratch or take on an existing franchise that is being sold. If you start a new one, you’ll determine the business’ location, its teachers and the class timetable. You will need to invest around £15,000.

The second option is simpler in many regards, but you’ll have less control over it in the initial stages. This is because it will already have business premises, staff and students. However, it’s a great option if you’re keen to pick up a business and run with it from the get-go. It is difficult to say how much this would cost, but the price would depend upon the franchise’s location, size and profitability.

If you become a Stagecoach franchisee, you will work on Saturdays to supervise your staff and sit in on classes. During the week, you’ll be able to work from home, tailoring your timetable to your existing commitments. Once your business is thriving and you have developed a pool of more than 200 pupils in your territory, you should be earning around £70,000. Stagecoach is keen for its franchisees to expand into additional territories as and when they can afford to, so you could be managing a network of businesses and seeing multiple income streams before too long.

You can find out more about Stagecoach, its franchise opportinities or other children’s franchises right here at Point Franchise. There are business opportunities to suit every budget, from activity franchise Clubs Complete with a minimum investment of £2,995, to childcare franchise Banana Moon with a minimum investment of £47,500. Click here to browse opportunities.