Crafting the Perfect School Holiday Program: A Guide for Class-Based Businesses

School holidays are around the corner! And while it's a time for parents to relax and reset, it's a time of joy and freedom for children. It's a period when they can explore their interests, indulge in creative pursuits, and have fun without the pressures of the regular school routine.

For class-based businesses, like music schools, art studios, swim schools and sports academies, these breaks offer a unique opportunity to engage with young learners. Creating a captivating school holiday program can not only enhance the overall learning experience but also contribute significantly to your business's growth. It's a chance to showcase your expertise, build lasting relationships with students and their parents, and even attract new customers.

However, designing a program that balances fun and education can be a challenging task.

Let's have a look how you can craft the perfect school holiday program for the upcoming school holidays.

1. Think Beyond Your Normal Classes

A school holiday program is the perfect opportunity to stray from your normal class schedule and introduce a variety of new activities that cater to different interests. It's your time to experiment with cross-disciplinary projects that showcase the diverse skills your business offers.

By expanding and diversifying your offerings, you attract a broader audience and draw in more participants with different interests and skill levels. If your business typically focuses on one type of class, consider branching it out.

For example: 

• If you run a cooking school, you can offer classes in various cuisines or baking techniques. With the upcoming Christmas holiday in mind, you could offer Christmas-themed cookie or cupcake decorating classes.
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• If you run a dance school, diversifying your offerings for the Christmas holiday program can mean introducing themed dance classes. These could include 'Nutcracker Ballet Classes' or 'Winter Wonderland Ballroom Dancing.

2. The Seasonal Spirit

Embracing the spirit of the season is a wonderful way to make your school holiday program stand out. The holiday season is a time filled with joy, warmth, and a sense of togetherness. It presents a unique opportunity for class-based businesses to create memorable experiences for their students.

Here are some creative ways to infuse the holiday spirit into your program:

• Themed lessons and seasonal projects:
  Consider themed lesson plans that incorporate the spirit of the season and encourage your students to create holiday-themed projects that align with your lessons. If you teach art, this could mean crafting handmade ornaments, painting winter landscapes, or designing unique holiday cards. For music lessons, have your students practice and perform popular seasonal tunes.

These themed classes add a special touch to your program and make it more enticing for families.

• Holiday Attire and Dress-Up Days: 
  Invite your students to wear holiday attire or costumes related to your lessons. In a dance class, students can wear Santa hats or reindeer antlers. For language schools, consider sessions where students practice vocabulary related to winter clothing while wearing their festive sweaters.

3. Offer Flexible Scheduling

Rather than offering a fixed two-week program, offer classes of flexible durations to accomodate different schedules and allow parents to choose what suits their family best.

Some parents may prefer single-day workshops due to busy schedules, while others might opt for week-long intensives to keep their children engaged throughout the holidays. Additionally, you might also want to think about offering half-day and full-day programs.

However, not all programs are suited for flexible scheduling, especially those geared towards structured skill progression.

For example, if your language school offers a comprehensive two-week "Learn French" program, maintaining flexibility might not be feasible as each student's learning pace can vary significantly. To address this, you can complement such programs by introducing a separate "Learn French Crash Course" workshop. This workshop can focus more on cultural aspects and fundamental language basics, ensuring that you don't miss out on potential sign-ups seeking a different holiday learning experience.

4. Celebrate Student Achievements

Celebrating student achievements during school holiday programs is a fantastic way to boost morale, foster a sense of accomplishment, and create a positive learning environment. Recognising and rewarding your students' progress and efforts can significantly enhance their motivation and enthusiasm.

Note: Depending on the duration and flexibility of your program (as mentioned above), you can either host an end-of-program performance or exhibition where students can shine and parents can witness their progress or decide to celebrate wins at the end of every day.

Here's an in-depth look at how you can celebrate student achievements effectively:

• Certificates and Awards:
  Create certificates or awards to acknowledge student's accomplishments. For example, design 'Holiday Hero' certificates or 'Super Star of the Week' awards. These tangible recognitions make students feel proud of their achievements and encourage them to strive for excellence.
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• Showcase Student Work:
  Dedicate a space within your facility or on your website to display students' work. Whether it's art projects, science experiments, or writing assignments, showcasing their creations boosts their confidence and allows them to share their achievements with peers and parents.
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• Student Spotlight:
  Conduct weekly or bi-weekly "Student Spotlight" sessions where individual students can share their holiday program experiences and accomplishments. This not only boosts their self-esteem but also enhances their public speaking and communication skills.
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• End-of-Program Showcase:
  Organise an event or showcase at the end of the school holiday program where students can present what they've learned to parents, family members, and friends. This provides a platform for students to demonstrate their achievements and receive accolades.

5. Promote the Upcoming Term

While focusing on the holiday program, don't forget to promote your upcoming term or new classes etc. you are running. Promoting the upcoming term during your school holiday program is a strategic move that can help maintain interest and enrolment for your regular classes.

Here's how you can effectively promote what's coming next:

• Early Registration Discounts:
  Offer an incentive for students who register for your next term during the holiday program. Early registration discounts or perks can entice parents to commit to future classes, ensuring a smooth transition from the holiday program to the regular term.

• Preview Classes:
  Organise "preview" or "trial" classes for the upcoming term during the holiday program. This gives students a taste of what to expect, creating anticipation and excitement for the term ahead. Be sure to highlight the benefits of enrolling in the full term.
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• Parent Involvement:
  Engage parents by inviting them to observe their child's progress during the holiday program. This firsthand experience allows parents to see the value of your classes and motivates them to enroll for the upcoming term.

6. Use your Socials

Utilise your social media channels to create excitement around your program. Use it to promote your program well in advance and keep sharing behind the scenes glimpses, student stories, and holiday-themed posts to engage your community throughout.

Leveraging social media not only increases visibility but also allows you to connect with potential and current students directly. By promoting the upcoming term through various channels and maintaining an active online presence, you can keep your programs top-of-mind and continually attract new enrolees.

Conclusion

The perfect Christmas school holiday program for your class-based business goes beyond the classes themselves. It's an opportunity to create a warm, engaging, and festive atmosphere that resonates with your students and their families. With careful planning and creativity, your holiday program can become a cherished tradition that not only boosts enrolments but also promotes long-term engagement in your classes. As you prepare to celebrate the holiday season, remember that the memories created during this time can lead to a lasting bond with your students and their families.

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