Who decides: AMPA, head teacher or Consejo Escolar?
Pitch the AMPA and the head teacher first. Who signs off depends on the type of school: in concertado schools the Consejo Escolar approves the activity and its fees.
| School | Who you pitch | Who approves | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public school | AMPA and head teacher | Ask the head teacher: the Consejo Escolar approves the school's annual plan (LOE art. 127) | The AMPA can use school rooms for its activities, and the head teacher makes room for them (RD 1533/1986 art. 9) |
| Concertado (state-funded private) school | AMPA, head teacher and the school's owner | The Consejo Escolar, which also approves the fees (LODE art. 51.3) | Outside school hours only, voluntary, and never run for profit by the school (LODE art. 51) |
| Private school | Head teacher or management | The school's management | Each school has its own process: ask them to explain it in writing |
For concertado schools, each region's education authority regulates the details (LODE art. 51.4), so ask the head teacher how it works at that school. Laws LODE, LOE and RD 1533/1986 on the BOE.
How to pitch the AMPA and the Consejo Escolar in 6 steps
Find out who runs after-school activities now, send a one-page proposal in spring and offer a taster class. Then follow it through each sign-off until families can enrol.
- 1
Find out how it works there
Ask the AMPA who runs after-school activities now, which afternoons and rooms are free, and how families sign up and pay. Every school does it a bit differently.
- 2
Pitch in spring
Pitch in spring for September, so your proposal has time to go through the AMPA, the head teacher and, if needed, the Consejo Escolar before summer.
- 3
Send a one-page proposal
Ages and levels, group size (minimum and maximum), days and times, price per child, materials, who teaches and how you'll tell families about progress.
- 4
Offer a taster class
A free open class for the kids, or a short talk for parents at the AMPA meeting, sells better than any PDF. Bring the enrolment form.
- 5
Follow each sign-off
AMPA board, head teacher and, where it applies, the Consejo Escolar. Ask who signs and when they meet, and send the documents before that date.
- 6
Open enrolment
Give families one form and one way to pay. Set a date to confirm groups: if a group doesn't reach the minimum, say so before the first class.
How to price after-school English classes
Decide who collects the money first. Families paying you means more admin but more control; a fixed fee from the AMPA or school means less risk but a lower ceiling.
| Model | Who collects | Your risk | Works best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee per child, paid to you | You, from each family | Unpaid months and drop-outs are yours | You already have a way to bill families and chase payments |
| Monthly fee per child, collected by the AMPA | The AMPA, which then pays you | Agree what happens if the AMPA pays late | The AMPA already collects fees for other activities |
| Fixed fee per group or per hour | The AMPA or the school | Low: you get paid even if a few kids leave | The school wants one price and one invoice |
| Fee per term or school year | You or the AMPA | Refunds if a child leaves mid-term | Families want one payment and you want stable groups |
Whatever the model, set a minimum number of children per group so each group covers your time, travel and materials. Work out the number with the tutoring rate calculator, and see how academies set enrolment and monthly fees.
Contract checklist for after-school classes
Get the deal in writing, even with a friendly AMPA. One or two pages on dates, rooms, money, safety and how to end it save arguments in February.
- Dates: first and last class, days, times and which school holidays you follow.
- Rooms and materials: which room, who opens it and what you can leave there.
- Groups: minimum and maximum children per group, and what happens if a group drops below the minimum.
- Money: price, who collects, when you invoice and when you get paid.
- Your absences: whether you send a substitute or make the class up.
- Insurance: ask which civil liability cover the AMPA or school asks for, and get it before you start.
- Certificates: a negative sexual offences certificate for every teacher.
- Data: who keeps the children's details and how families consent to photos.
- Ending it: the notice period for both sides.
For privacy notices and consent forms for minors, see our guide on tutoring contracts and GDPR.
Run the groups so families sign up again
Take attendance every class, tell parents what their child learned and send a short report each term. Families who see progress sign up again next year.
- Group by age and level, not only by school year, and keep groups small enough for every child to talk.
- Take attendance every class: parents will ask, and the AMPA may need it too.
- Send a short report each term with what the child can do now and what comes next.
- Open next year's enrolment before the summer, while families can still see the progress.
Use our progress report template and, for the summer, our guide to summer intensive courses.
Your after-school groups, in one place
Keep every group, attendance list and payment in SmartCookie, and send families one link to see their lessons and pay. Try it for 14 days, no card needed.