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"Creativity is not purely an individual performance. It arises out of our interactions with the ideas and achievements of other people"
Sir Ken Robinson (Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative)

About LIPA 4:19

The Guardian newspaper's 2009 Guide to universities places LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) as the top university in the country for dance and drama. Our approach to performing arts learning was informed by leading practitioners and our staff and students are inspired by Sir Paul McCartney, our Lead Patron, in whose old school we are based.

Our Founding Principal and CEO, Mark Featherstone-Witty, has a personal aspiration to grow and develop the LIPA approach. This led us to open our doors to the North West's wealth of younger talent in 2003, when we established LIPA 4:19. We started with 200 students and now teach almost 450 students aged from four to 19 years of age at LIPA every Saturday throughout the teaching year.

LIPA 4:19 is the only children's performing arts academy in the UK that is directly linked to an established performing arts institution. Our teaching philosophy is based on fun and inclusion for all. While lessons are tailored to suit each age group and follow the National Curriculum in performing arts subjects, they allow our teachers the flexibility to adapt classes for individual students, ensuring that every student is given the opportunity to fulfil their unique potential.

LIPA 4:19 is looking for the right individuals to establish and operate LIPA 4:19 academies throughout the country. By joining our network, you would be in a position to touch the lives of young people in your area and have plenty of fun running your own business. LIPA 4:19 franchise owners are dedicated business people who share our ambition to make a positive contribution to the lives of a generation of confident, talented young people.

Our Aims and Objectives

Our aim is to create an international network of talented and enterprising individuals who share our commitment to providing quality performing arts teaching for young people. By partnering with such individuals, LIPA 4:19 harnesses their ability, energy and enthusiasm. In turn, our partners benefit from the strength of the LIPA 4:19 business and identity. We believe that our franchise partners should enjoy the fruits of their labours and have structured our business proposition to ensure that they can fully enjoy the returns of a successful academy. Every member of our growing network can look forward to benefiting from their achievements, the achievements of their students and those of the network as a whole—now and for the long term.

LIPA 4:19 is both a hands-on and management franchise business. It is your role as a franchise Owner to establish and grow the business in your chosen location, manage your team of teaching and support staff and provide first-rate LIPA 4:19 Saturday classes and summer schools to local students at your academy. As the Principal of your academy, you will represent LIPA 4:19 during all local activities associated with the school. Some of our franchise owners possess the skills and qualifications to include teaching within their role. This is not an essential element of the position, however.

Training and Support

The successful franchise owner will have a passion for the performing arts and is likely to have some professional or amateur performance experience. LIPA 4:19 Franchising Ltd provides its franchise owners with comprehensive training in all aspects of the LIPA 4:19 franchise business. Our training programme is delivered at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where new franchise owners receive a thorough induction into our marketplace, teaching style, curriculum and operations. We also share the proven marketing strategies used by existing LIPA 4:19 academies to great success.

We have a professional support team who assist with the launch of every LIPA 4:19 franchise and provide franchise owners with an ongoing support service. In particular, we will help you to identify and secure a suitable venue, recruit your teaching staff and promote your new academy. Our transferred skills, knowledge and procedures, together with your initiative, determination, professionalism and commitment to quality are key to a successful LIPA 4:19 franchise businesses.

What's Next?

The next step would be to further your interest in this exciting new opportunity by providing the details below. Once your details are submitted, someone from LIPA 4:19 will contact you to discuss the opportunity in more detail and to understand your position. We look forward to hearing from you.