Five things to consider if you are thinking of becoming an Education Consultant
If you’re exploring how to become an education consultant, you’ll quickly discover that there’s far more to think about than a simple list of five. But this first blog focuses on the five questions I wish I’d asked myself before leaving my advisory role in a Local Authority and stepping into independent consultancy.
Making the move from employment to self‑employment can feel daunting. I’ll be honest — I didn’t overthink it. I was ready for a change and simply thought, why not. I’d already worked in several different parts of the UK, so shifting context didn’t worry me. Looking back, I may have been a little lucky. I’d recommend taking a more planned approach than I did.
The good news is that much of this preparation can be done before you hand in your notice. Think of it as the early groundwork for your consultancy business plan.
As I write this, I’m aware that each of these points could easily become a chapter in a book. If you’d like to explore any of them in more depth, my contact details are on the website — I’m always happy to talk. Plus, everyone’s context is different. So, this blog is meant to be a starting point. Not a definitive guide.
- Define Your Product: What Exactly Are You Offering?
If you’re moving from teaching to consultancy, talking about “selling a product” may feel uncomfortable. But that’s exactly what consultancy is: you are offering a specialist service.
So — what is your product?
The education consultancy market is busy: leadership development, safeguarding, AI in education, inclusion, governance, curriculum design… the list grows daily.
Don’t let that put you off. The consultants who thrive are those who identify a niche within a niche — a specialism within a specialism. Define yours clearly and confidently. Then commit to being the best in that space. Again, there is so much more to talk about here.
- Identify Your Clients: Who Will You Work With?
This is where I had an advantage. I’d worked in a large LEA with more than two hundred schools and FE colleges — and I knew them all. That network became my starting point.
Your situation may be different. Some new consultants are commissioned by former employers; others find it harder to secure that crucial first contract.
Understanding your potential client base is essential for anyone starting an education consultancy. If you want to talk through your own context, book a mentoring session and we can map it out together.
- Understand What It Means to Be Self‑Employed
This is the part I knew least about — and cared least about — when I started. I was focused on the work: the commissions, the schools, the impact.
But you do need to understand the basics of being self‑employed:
- tax and record‑keeping
- invoicing
- financial planning
- insurance
- contracts and terms of engagement
None of it is difficult, but it’s far better to get your systems in place from the start. I was fortunate — my husband was self‑employed and kept me right. Don’t get yourself in a muddle.
- Calculate Your Start‑Up Costs
The cost of starting an education consultancy is often lower than people expect. If you’re working from home, you already have your internet connection, hardware and software.
Your main costs may include:
- transport and fuel
- website hosting and domain fees (I built my own website so saved money there)
- professional subscriptions (LinkedIn was my main one)
- occasional investment in tools or services
Be thoughtful about where you spend. Ask yourself what return you’ll get. But don’t be overly frugal — sometimes you do need to invest in your business.
If you want to talk through what’s essential and what’s optional, just get in touch.
- Work Out How Much Income You Need to Generate
This is the question that turns a dream into a plan.
- How much do you need to earn each month?
- How many commissions does that translate into?
- What does that mean for your pricing?
- Is it realistic in your chosen niche?
Understanding your financial model is a key step in becoming a successful education consultant.
Final Thoughts
I’m writing this for you and already thinking of everything else I could add — and I will, in future blogs. There is so much more to say about building a sustainable consultancy, developing your brand, and creating long‑term relationships with clients.
That’s all for now. If you have comments or questions, please email me — I’d love to hear from you.