A business idea - What are your thoughts.

SwingBeep wrote:Have you looked into setting up a business in France? It's much more complicated than in England. http://paris.angloinfo.com/countries/france/business.asp You will also have to get your qualifications recognised and show that you have 3 years experience and I think you will also have to do a course (in French) on business practice in France.

It will be an English company.

That's fine, but you will have to spend time in the UK and be able to show that the company really does operate in the UK as well as in France, or you could be liable for a big French tax bill.

smartski wrote:As an aside, nothing against Snowbandit's idea...

but I must admit I don't get this "unauthorised absence thing". At 6-11 yrs old it's not really about the children, is it? It is about management & targets and the one-size-fits-all policy we have IMO. 5-days of missed school is not "truancy" in the proper sense, if the other 160 days are fully attended.

And there is the end of the discussion. You've nailed it - its got chuff all to do with naughty kids and parents going away in term time as it hurts the childs education, its about figures and reports.

My kids are grown up now, but when they were younger we used to take them out of school every year in May/June. We didn't ski as a family back then, but my daughter went on school ski trips - funny how they can take them during term time, go skiing and not call it unauthorised absence when they're doing the same as other peoples kids who go with their families. In fact I bet the kids with families have a better time than the school trips. And they don't have to run the risk of being sent on a long coach trip and it crashing into a tunnel wall (topical).

If it were me, I'd ask for permission properly, get it denied and take them anyway. The school are unable to impose a financial penalty I believe.

As for SB's idea, I only think it could work if the national cirriculum were to have some kind of skiing diploma added to it. Sorry if thats not helpful for your idea.

AllyG wrote:

If they were old enough to be able to ski all day I think I'd rather pay the extra and go in school holidays.



Ally

I really do not understand parents who would do that. Busier travel arrangements and slopes, huge cost increases, etc.

SB, the British Ski Academy in Les Houches has managed to provide skiing and education to UK requirements for a few years.

http://www.britskiacad.org.uk/academic.html

snowb4ndit wrote:I am more interested in your thoughts as a parent who might use the service

I'll try and answer your question! 8)

I think there probably is a market for your idea but, for me, time away in the mountains is all about being there and doing the things we can't do at home - and that would be my priority for the children too.

When children are still too young to ski all day, my preference would be for a Nanny or Children's Club; so they can enjoy some play time in the snow when not actually skiing. And when they're big enough to ski all day... I think I'll have a hard time stopping them. :lol:

Of course, if the UK does clamp down on "unauthorized" absence and you can provide a way round that... then you're on a winner!

S4B - have you done a series of cost differentials between a family skiing the week before half-term and during half term?

You probably have, but this would give you a potential savings model to consider while you think about what costs you would be able to offer your service at.

This idea already exists for French kids - google "cartable à la neige". It is aimed at primary school children.. Have admit to not knowing anyone who has used it but then again the same "rules"about absences don't exist (least not where we live :lol: )