How an AI Explorers Franchise Could Work: Our Proposed Operating Model

If you're exploring children's education franchises in the UK, one of the first questions to ask any brand is simple: what would I actually be doing each week? This article sets out our current thinking for AI Explorers Academy. It's a proposal, not an offer — we haven't launched a franchise, and the details below may change as we learn from our own school programmes.

The core idea

AI Explorers teaches children aged 8–11 to understand and create with artificial intelligence through creative, hands-on missions. Our proposed franchise model would allow local operators to deliver that same curriculum in their own community, under a shared brand and a shared set of standards.

Where classes would run

We don't expect operators to need dedicated premises. Instead, programmes would run in spaces children already use:

• Primary schools, usually as after-school clubs or in-school workshops
• Community venues, such as halls and community centres
• Suitable shared educational premises
• Approved holiday activity venues, where holiday provision is appropriate and properly arranged

This venue-based approach is common in children's activity businesses. It keeps commitments flexible and allows an operator to grow at a sensible pace.

What an operator might do

Depending on the model, an operator's responsibilities could include:

• Building relationships with local schools and venues
• Promoting programmes to local families
• Delivering sessions personally, or recruiting and supporting instructors
• Following safeguarding, safer recruitment and quality procedures
• Managing local administration, communication with parents and reporting

What the central academy would provide

Our planned support model includes the AI Explorers brand under licence, a structured and regularly updated curriculum, instructor training, business setup guidance and ongoing marketing and quality support. You can read more on our planned support page.

What we haven't decided

We want to be transparent. We have not yet set franchise fees, royalties, investment levels, territory structures or exclusivity. We won't publish those until they've been properly prepared and reviewed, and we'll always encourage prospective partners to take independent legal and financial advice.

Why we're starting with school partnerships

A good franchise is built on a proven model. That's why our first priority is to establish and refine Junior AI Explorers with partner primary schools. Franchising is a future UK-wide expansion opportunity, and the lessons from our first school clubs will shape everything we eventually offer to partners.

If you'd like to follow our progress, you can register your interest — with no obligation on either side.