Pro-Tuition Brings Bespoke Education to North Essex
When Schalk Meyer opened his first Pro-Tuition centre in Dunmow in early 2020, he had no idea just how much education was about to change. Within weeks, schools across the country closed their doors as COVID-19 forced families into lockdown.
“It wasn’t the best time to start a new business,” Schalk recalls, “but in many ways, the timing turned out to be right. Parents suddenly needed extra support, and we were there to step in.”
The centre grew quickly, offering one-to-one, personalised tuition for children from reception age through to GCSEs. Every child receives a full educational assessment before starting, enabling the team of qualified teachers to design a bespoke learning plan that meets their exact needs. From filling gaps in maths and English to boosting confidence, preparing for grammar school entrance exams, or supporting children with SEN, Pro-Tuition quickly became known for its highly personalised approach.
Expanding into Maldon
By 2024, demand for Pro-Tuition’s services was so strong that Schalk decided to open a second centre, this time in Maldon. It was an exciting opportunity, but also a daunting step.
“Just because you’ve run one successful centre doesn’t mean the second will automatically flourish,” Schalk says. “Starting a new business is always a risk, and I wanted to make sure we gave Maldon families the same high-quality, bespoke experience.”
Creating a Pro-Tuition centre involves much more than renting a space. Each site is custom-designed and furnished to provide a vibrant, safe, and inspiring learning environment. The costs of kitting out classrooms with modern computers, bespoke furniture, and safeguarding-compliant facilities were significant.
The Role of Backing Essex Business Support
That’s when Schalk discovered and reached out Backing Essex Business, a business support programme funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group. After submitting an enquiry, he was introduced to business adviser Robert Laurie, who guided him through the funding and business support options available.
“In our very first meeting, Robert talked me through the different ways the programme could help,” Schalk explains. “At that point, we were looking for startup funding to get Maldon fully up and running. He put me in touch with companies who could provide the financial support we needed, and we successfully secured funding thanks to those introductions.”
This funding was vital in enabling Schalk to create the kind of centre he envisioned. “It meant we could complete the fit-out properly, making the environment not just functional but truly welcoming for students and parents. That was essential for building confidence in a brand-new centre.”
Beyond support Schalk with funding, Backing Essex Business also invited him to local networking events and business meetings. These provided valuable connections and insights, from legislative changes affecting small businesses to the chance to collaborate with other local entrepreneurs.
Making a Wider Impact
Today, Pro-Tuition Maldon is thriving. Alongside evening and weekend tuition for children in mainstream schools, the centre has also been accepted into Essex’s alternative provision partnership. From October 2025, the centre will provide a safe, structured environment for young people who are currently not in school, offering specialist teaching in maths, English, and science during the daytime.
This is a major step in Pro-Tuition’s growth and its ability to serve the community. “We’ve always been passionate about helping every child succeed, whether they’re behind, ahead, or struggling with confidence,” Schalk says. “Now we can support even more young people who really need that extra help.”
Looking Ahead
For Schalk, success is about quality, not quantity. Rather than rushing to open more sites, his focus is on making Pro-Tuition Maldon and Dunmow the very best tuition centres in their communities.
“I don’t want us to grow so fast that we lose what makes us special,” he explains. “We want to stay close to families, provide the best possible service, and always remember why we’re here, to make a real difference for children.”
Reflecting on the role the support Backing Essex Business played, Schalk is clear: “That support gave me the confidence to expand, and the funding they signposted me to meant we could get Maldon off the ground properly. It hasn’t just helped us as a business; it’s helped us create opportunities for children and families across the community. That’s something I’m very grateful for.”
To find out more about Pro-Tuition visit https://www.pro-tuition.co.uk/