Frances King

What Frances King does

Frances King School of English, operated by Business Education Ltd as part of the Business Education Group, is a private English language school established in 1973 and headquartered at 77 Gloucester Road in Kensington, London. The school serves approximately 2,000 students annually from over 50 countries, offering a broad portfolio of courses including General English, IELTS Examination Preparation, Academic Year programmes (25-52 weeks), specialised courses for mature learners (30+ and 50+ English and Culture), Bildungsurlaub-accredited courses for German state-funded educational leave, Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) courses, Family Programmes, Private Lessons, and an Express Barista add-on. The school also operates a Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE) centre and runs teenager summer camps in London (Roehampton University) and Dublin (Dalkey). Frances King is accredited by the British Council and holds memberships in Quality English, IALC, and EnglishUK, and is approved for Bildungsurlaub in Germany.

Name

Frances King

Legal name

Business Education Ltd

Website

https://francesking.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Frances King is a London-based English language school founded in 1973 serving approximately 2,000 international students annually from 50+ countries with General English, IELTS prep, specialist courses, accommodation, and group programmes distributed via Educational Tour Operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Education

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

Keywords

• English language school
• Language training courses
• IELTS preparation
• Study abroad programmes
• Student accommodation services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: Weekly tuition fees for various English language courses including General English, IELTS Preparation, Business English, and specialized programs. Fees vary by course intensity, duration, and season.
2. Accommodation Services: Revenue from homestay placements, student residences, and serviced apartments. Includes weekly accommodation fees with various meal plan options.
3. Registration and Deposits: Non-refundable registration fees (£105 adults, £130 families) and deposits (£250 course only, £600 course plus accommodation) collected at booking.
4. Ancillary Services: Airport transfer services, insurance fees (through Guard.me partnership), examination fees (IELTS £215), and activity programme fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Frances King is an English language school in London and Dublin that delivers classroom-based English language courses to international students, including General English, IELTS preparation, age-specific programmes (30+, 50+, Family, Young Learners), and specialised courses such as Bildungsurlaub, Youth Mobility Scheme, and Express Barista. The school bundles courses with homestay and residence accommodation, airport transfers, social activities, and a Trinity Examination Centre for spoken English assessments.

Product overview

Frances King is a language school offering English language courses primarily in London and Dublin, established in 1973. The core product portfolio includes General English courses for adults alongside specialized programmes such as IELTS Examination Preparation, 30+ English, 50+ English and Culture, and the Bildungsurlaub accredited courses. Additional offerings encompass Private Lessons (1-3 students), Express Barista Course, Youth Mobility Scheme courses, Family Programmes, and seasonal Christmas/New Year courses. The school also operates Trinity Examination Centre for spoken English assessments and runs teenager summer camps in London (Roehampton University) and Dublin (Dalkey). Group bookings and tailor-made packages are available year-round. Frances King holds British Council accreditation and memberships in Quality English, IALC, and EnglishUK, serving approximately 2000 students annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General English Year-round English language course for adults of all ages focused on fluency and accuracy across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on real-life situations.
• IELTS Examination Preparation Preparation course equipping students with the skills needed to pass IELTS examinations and prepare for university study in English.
• 30+ English General English course for mature learners aged 30 and above with a focus on speaking and an optional Business English component.
• 50+ English and Culture Programme General English course combined with afternoon and evening cultural activities for learners aged 50 years and over.
• Bildungsurlaub (Bildungszeit) English Courses Accredited English language courses approved for German Bildungsurlaub/Bildungszeit educational leave, allowing German residents to study English in London using state-funded leave.
• Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) English Course English course for Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders (18-35 depending on nationality) with help and advice for finding paid work and professional unpaid internships in the UK.
• Family Programme Family study holiday programme combining English lessons for children aged 5-16 (with parents) with accommodation options and a family activity programme in London.
• Private Lessons Personalised one-to-one or small group (2-3 students) language courses with flexible timetables, focused on areas such as business English or examination preparation.
• Express Barista Course Specialised short course for aspiring baristas, café entrepreneurs, and coffee enthusiasts with little or no prior experience, teaching practical barista skills.
• Christmas and New Year in London Seasonal English course combining classroom study with leisure and sightseeing activities during the Christmas and New Year period, including London tours and day trips to Oxford.
• Academic Year Programme Long-term English language programme of 25-52 weeks offering comprehensive language immersion and academic preparation.
• Group Bookings Tailor-made group packages for closed groups or mixed nationality programmes year-round in London and Dublin, including accommodation, activities, and dedicated group coordinators.
• Teenager Summer Camp (London) Summer camp held at Roehampton University for students aged 12-17 with on-campus accommodation in London.
• Dublin Teenager Summer Camp Summer camp in Dalkey, Dublin seaside location with nearby host family accommodation for students aged 12-17.
• Trinity Examination Centre Centre for Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE) offered to school groups and individuals, assessing communicative English speaking and listening skills.
• Homestay Accommodation Homestay placements with London hosts in Zones 1-3 for students aged 16+, available in Standard, Premium, and Deluxe tiers with bed and breakfast, dinner, or half-board meal options.
• Student Residence and Serviced Apartment Accommodation Residence and serviced apartment placements through partner providers including Chelsea Cloisters, Citadines Kensington, Fraser Suites Queens Gate, iQ Hammersmith, AXO Waterloo, Chapter Portobello, and Citi View Paddington.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 2000 students educated annually from over 50 countries

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Guard.mecoreOthersInsurance partner providing International Student Policy with Multi-Risk and Cancellation coverage. Frances King can book insurance on behalf of students. Policy covers cancellation charges before arrival, emergency medical expenses (£10,000,000), personal liability (£2,000,000), personal accident (£25,000), and personal belongings (£2,000). Includes free Digital Doctor Telemedicine service.
• Anderson TourscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekend excursion partner organizing guided tours to UK and European destinations including Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Manchester. Provides 2 recommended weekend excursions per week organized by this carefully selected tour company.
• Trinity Graded ExaminationscoreOthersFrances King is a centre for Trinity Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE). Examinations available for school groups and conducted in the school. GESE exams develop communicative English language speaking and listening skills for real-life use.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body for English language teaching. Regular inspections ensure quality standards in management, resources, premises, teaching, and welfare.
• Quality EnglishcoreOthersOrganization of leading independent English language schools. Frances King is a member, representing quality standards in English language education.
• IALC (International Association of Language Centres)coreOthersAward-winning association of leading independent language schools worldwide. Frances King is an inspected and quality assured member school.
• EnglishUKcoreOthersOrganization of accredited teaching establishments. Frances King follows the EnglishUK Code of Practice.
• Chelsea CloistersminorOthersServiced apartment partner in Zone 1 London. Offers studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom self-catering apartments for students aged 18+.
• Citadines KensingtonminorOthersServiced apartment partner offering studios and 1-bedroom apartments in Kensington (Zone 1). Suitable for executives and families, 5-minute walk from Frances King school.
• Fraser Suites Queens GateminorOthersLuxury serviced accommodation partner offering studio and 1-bedroom apartments near Gloucester Road. Deluxe and executive options available.
• iQ HammersmithminorOthersStudent residence partner in Hammersmith (Zone 2). Single studio self-catering accommodation for adults 18+.
• AXO WaterloominorOthersStudent residence partner in Waterloo (Zone 1). Offers single ensuite rooms and twin rooms with shared bathroom, self-catering.
• Chapter PortobellominorOthersStudent residence partner in Westbourne Park (Zone 2). Single studio self-catering accommodation.
• Citi View PaddingtonminorOthersStudent residence partner in Paddington (Zone 1). Single studio self-catering accommodation.
• Homestay ProviderscoreOthersNetwork of homestay hosts in London Zones 1-3 providing accommodation for students aged 16+. Hosts provide bed and breakfast, dinner plans, or half board options with varying standards (Standard, Premium, Deluxe).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Kaplan International: Operates English language schools in London and other UK cities, with a similar product mix including General English, IELTS prep, and Academic Year programmes, and a comparable international ETO distribution model.
• Eurocentres: Network of European-based English language schools including UK centres, delivering General English, examination preparation, and immersive study travel programmes similar to Frances King's portfolio.
• Regent Language Training: UK-based accredited English language school group with multiple locations, offering General English, examination preparation, and teacher training to international students.
• St Giles International: London-based accredited English language school with General English, IELTS, and teacher training programmes, serving international students with similar group and individual pathways.
• British Study Centres: Multi-centre English language school operator with London and other UK locations, offering General English, IELTS, and pathway programmes to international students via similar ETO channels.
• Bell English: UK-based accredited English language school with adult and young learner programmes, comparable academic year and examination preparation offerings to international students.
• Wimbledon School of English: Long-established London English language school offering General English, examination preparation, and Academic Year programmes to a similar international student demographic.
• London School of English: Historic central London English language school with a similar premium positioning, business English and executive programme focus, and accredited (British Council) status.
• EC English Language Centres: One of the largest global chains of accredited English language schools with multiple UK locations, offering General English, IELTS, and academic year programmes to international students—directly comparable to Frances King's London ESL offering.

Broad incumbents

• EF International Language Campuses: Global, scaled language education company with a large London centre and broad study abroad product, overlapping Frances King's core ESL offering but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Frances_King
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FrancesKingSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrancesKingSchoolofEnglish
• Instagraminstagram.com/franceskingschool
• TikToktiktok.com/@franceskingschool?lang=en

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frances King