First Class Learning franchisee helps children in Dundee bounce back after COVID-19

Derek Wagner plans to use his skills to reach more children with the launch of a new First Class Learning franchise

A Dundee English teacher, who has been working in education for over 17 years, is launching a new tuition business so he can help more children bounce back emotionally and academically after everything they have missed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Derek Wagner is originally from Toronto, Canada, but has lived and taught in Scotland for almost 20 years now. He loves teaching but has been looking around for different options for a while to see how he could reach even more children outside the traditional classroom setting. Derek is launching his new First Class Learning (FCL) tuition business early in 2022 and is planning to continue full-time teaching at the same time. 

He explains: “I love teaching and see it more as a vocation than a job. I get so much satisfaction from helping children learn and progress and I see the launch of my FCL franchise as a new way I can do this. My aim is to provide a quality product which can really benefit my students and I view the new business as a wonderful opportunity to reach a lot more children than I usually could. 

“Our schools have done a magnificent job through the disruption to learning that COVID-19 has brought to our lives. But the reality we live in now is that some pupils require more help and support with their skills and confidence due to the lost learning time that COVID-19 has caused. I really believe that confidence gained by children in school improves their lives out of school. I want to help pupils gain back their confidence and boost their skills in English and maths through this new venture. I would love to be in a financial position in three to five years where I can really make a difference and cut the social disadvantage gap by giving access to tuition to those who cannot usually afford it.” 

First Class Learning is a highly successful education franchise specialising in maths and English. It is currently the UK’s fastest-growing tuition business with 300 franchisee-run centres nationwide. It is a franchise tuition business that focuses on building the skills and confidence of its students. Core to FCL’s success is an investment in people, with the franchise built on the mantra that no child deserves to be left behind. 

Derek adds: “I have been very impressed with First Class Learning and was attracted to them in the first place because they are very child orientated and the quality of the material they provide is excellent. I want to make sure I get it right for every child I teach. I have a wealth of learning and experience to draw on to ensure that the tuition for each child is specific to their individual needs n maths and English. You simply can’t treat one child the same as another, as they all learn in different ways and at different speeds. The training I attended in London with FCL has been great, and I have also received fantastic support from other franchisees who are a lot further along in their franchise journey, so now I just can’t wait to get started.”