Client Feedback

Over the years since National School Transfer was formed, we have successfully transferred over 100 schools, nurseries and other educational establishments. The following client feedback by some of our clients illustrates the service that we offer.

Bredon School, Gloucestershire

Bredon School National School Transfer

Can I take the opportunity to express my thanks to NST and to Pat Cater, in particular, for the thoroughly professional job they carried out in my particular case. To move any business on whilst ensuring complete confidentiality is in itself an accomplishment not to be dismissed lightly. With hindsight, to have completed my deal in late 2008 with a financial crisis brewing was indeed a fantastic achievement and due in my view to NST ability to maintain an international database which can only enhance the possibilities of a successful sale by hedging against local issues. Thank you NST.

David Keyte, Bredon School

Old Vicarage School, Derbyshire

Old Vicarage School National School Transfer

The final decision to sell our school felt more comfortable knowing we had made the absolute right choice by using National School Transfer as our agent. Other available options were considered but none provided the personal, strictly confidential and honest approach we felt extremely vital. Pat Carter and the National School Transfer team were readily available to receive our telephone calls, answer all questions and encouragingly work together at any time during the process. Our personal experience with other companies did not have the same reputation. For us, the very emotional experience was made easier by knowing we could share our thoughts and feelings and gain insight from Pat and his team. Absolutely without a doubt or hesitation, it will be NST we consider first for any future endeavours.

St Martin’s Preparatory School, Grimsby

Old Vicarage School National School Transfer

We have been dealing with National School Transfer for more than five years. Initially, we attended one of their very informative courses held at Barnardiston Hall which answered many questions. Pat Carter as our lead contact has been thoroughly professional in his dealings with us; the information we have received on purchases is of the right level and his non-pushy more consultative approach is perfect – so much so that we have been able to tap into his extensive school’s knowledge and contacts. We will continue to deal with Pat and NST.

Ihmes International School

IHMES National School Transfer
Just a few lines to say thank you for a very professional and discreet service. Having found a buyer for us – very fast – Andrew was super in getting things moving and keeping them moving and in giving common sense advice. If I ever need to sell/buy anything else in the future I shall certainly use you again. Continued success with your business – you deserve it.

Mark College

Mark College Somerset National School Transfer

Selling a school is highly stressful, even when you take any emotional factors out of that situation. It is a hugely complex process and probably a one-off experience for most proprietors, but not so for many purchasers. You need access to experience. The process is likely to take months and, during that time, there is an essential need for discretion, for pertinent advice and moral boosting reassurances. NST found me a buyer very quickly and they were on call whenever I needed advice or encouragement. This accessibility was there from the first moment of an acceptable offer to the final completion of the sale. I wouldn’t wish to go through that stress again, but if I had to, it would be with Pat Carter and his team. In fact, I have now joined the team!

Steve Chinn, Mark College

Hydesville Tower School

Hydesville Tower School National School Transfer

When we decided to retire after nearly 20 years we knew we needed expert help to guide us. Having surveyed the market we chose National School Transfer because Pat Carter understood our kind of school. As we were a 3-16 school we needed a purchaser who would have knowledge of the needs of all age groups. It was particularly to our advantage that Pat guided us on setting our price; he then introduced a succession of potential buyers and engineered three firm offers by our chosen date. He proved an invaluable go-between, keeping a useful distance between ourselves and the buyers when that was appropriate. The process was long and occasionally stressful but Pat’s regular phone calls and reassuring voice were an unfailing comfort. It was also essential that all communications were handled promptly and confidentially. Pat Carter’s service was entirely professional. Phone calls and correspondence were to our private lines or email and postal addresses and we never had cause to worry in this connection. Harriet and I have no reservations in recommending NST to school owners or potential purchasers.

Ingleside & Kingswood School

Ingleside & Kingswood School National School Transfer
When we decided to retire after nearly 20 years we knew we needed expert help to guide us. Having surveyed the market we chose National School Transfer because Pat Carter understood our kind of school. As we were a 3-16 school we needed a purchaser who would have knowledge of the needs of all age groups. It was particularly to our advantage that Pat guided us on setting our price; he then introduced a succession of potential buyers and engineered three firm offers by our chosen date. He proved an invaluable go-between, keeping a useful distance between ourselves and the buyers when that was appropriate. The process was long and occasionally stressful but Pat’s regular phone calls and reassuring voice were an unfailing comfort. It was also essential that all communications were handled promptly and confidentially. Pat Carter’s service was entirely professional. Phone calls and correspondence were to our private lines or email and postal addresses and we never had cause to worry in this connection. Harriet and I have no reservations in recommending NST to school owners or potential purchasers.
Dr S Yousuf and Professor Mike Harvey, Centre for Advanced Studies, London

Ingleside School

Ingleside & Kingswood School National School Transfer

I was most impressed with the service from National SchoolTransfer when I sold my school. They guided me through the preliminary processes and were able to put me in touch with the prospective purchasers within weeks of the school going on the market.

Felicity Blades, Ingleside School

Sea View Private School

Bredon School National School Transfer

We were registered with National School Transfer for 7 years before we found the school for us and in that time we received a considerable number of outline details from them and every single one was within the criteria we had specified at the outset. Pat Carter provides a first-class service as a go-between when arranging viewings and progressing negotiations between vendor and purchaser and the one-day seminars they run on the process of purchasing a school are comprehensive and excellent value for money.

Willow Tree Nursery School

Bredon School National School Transfer
Selling Willow Tree Nursery School – a professional service, a pleasing result. Although Mr. Carter normally deals with large projects, his ‘No job too small’ philosophy meant that he was able to manage the sale of our Nursery School for us. Throughout we always spoke to Mr. Carter direct and found him courteous, prompt, caring and efficient – we felt that ours was the only business that he was involved in selling. Both his experience in the field and attention to detail were invaluable. The outcome was a sale that pleased both the seller and buyer.
Phoebe King, Willow Tree Nursery School

A Nursery School

Bredon School National School Transfer
We were very impressed by the sensitivity and confidentiality of National School Transfer, who ensured that the transfer of our nursery school to another proprietor proceeded smoothly and successfully. As a result of this satisfying experience, we can assure anybody planning to use the services of this organisation that negotiations will be conducted in a straight-forward fashion, without disruption in any way to the day-to-day running of the school.
A ‘satisfied customer’ who wishes his identity to remain confidential, A Nursery School

Rosewood Montessori Nursery School

Bredon School National School Transfer

When the time came for me to sell my nursery school I contacted three agents. Mr. Carter on his first visit gave me solid advice without the sales ‘pitch’. It was not until a few months later than I felt ready to put the school up for sale. Mr. Carter dealt with the issue sensitively and a buyer was found within two weeks. The process of actually selling took longer, however, Mr. Carter was always at the other end of the phone when needed. I am happy with the service his company provided. Throughout the lengthy process of buying the nursery, Pat Carter and National School Transfer were always available with a professional service and sensible advice. Their previous experience in these matters proved to be very useful when third-party delays caused a good deal of frustration. As a first time buyer of a nursery, it was reassuring to know they were there when you needed them.

Roy Beggerow, Buyer

The Dolphin School

Bredon School National School Transfer
I bought my school through National School Transfer and found the service provided by Pat Carter and his team to be efficient, reliable and very professional. They acted with integrity at all times and I was confident of the advice given. A big plus was the seminar on the buying process for schools and nurseries run by Pat and his colleague Keith which I found to be a very worthwhile day. It reassured me in what I was doing and I would definitely recommend it to others.
Bill Gott, Buyer

Single Hill Nursery School

Bredon School National School Transfer
Having transferred the sale of our business from another agent we were immediately impressed by the service we received from National School Transfer. From the initial consultation to the final sale we were very pleased with the service Pat Carter and his staff provided. He vetted potential buyers carefully to ensure they had the necessary financial backing and this excluded any time-wasters. The confidentiality throughout our negotiations was exemplary and our sale was dealt with smoothly and without any hitches. We would again like to thank the National School Transfer team for their efficiency, professionalism and discretion.
Peter Smith

Haddon Dene School

Bredon School National School Transfer

I have recently sold my Prep School in Kent through NST and have been more than pleased with their service. The time taken from initial instructions to receipt of the sales proceeds was less than one year and NST were efficient, courteous and helpful throughout. In my opinion, their valuation was accurate and they achieved a fair price for my school. I would recommend them for their professional and confidential approach.

FD and J Doyle

Pied Piper Nursery

Thank you for making the whole process painless, by doing all the vetting for me, and only introducing genuinely interested people.
W Barnett
It has always been my ambition to own my own Preparatory School and this ambition was achieved with the help of National School Transfer in September 2002. The support and guidance given to me by Pat Carter and his team was invaluable and made the whole process a painless experience.
Craig Wardle, Buyer

St Piran’s School

Bredon School National School Transfer
For the last nine years, we have run a small independent school in Cornwall. We found the school through National School Transfer with the aid of Pat Carter after looking around the country for several years. It was a very informative day spent at National School Transfer’s seminar in Suffolk that finally prompted us to look more seriously. We were retiring from the State system and therefore didn’t want anything too big. We came down to Cornwall after identifying this school in NST’s list of available schools. It obviously had potential but was always a risk in this part of the country where independent schools had been closing. Nevertheless, we went ahead and the project has been a great success. Now, looking toward final retirement, we sought the help of National School Transfer again. They have been successful in quickly selling the school business for us so its future is secure. We recommend their excellent service to all potential buyers and sellers of independent schools – advice is honestly given and details quickly circulated for successful results.
David & Rosalind Jones

Client feedback – St Nicholas School

Bredon School National School Transfer
Having had the invaluable experience of buying our school through the intermediary of NST, who were at all times extremely professional and pleasant in their dealings with us, it seemed very natural and proper to ask them to use their good offices in marketing it when we decided, ten years later, to retire. Although this time, market forces were to some extent against us, Pat Carter and his team tirelessly promoted our school and brought us a succession of potential buyers. We were, finally, in the happy position of having two firm bids on the table at the same time! The sale, to the candidate of our choice, proceeded very smoothly and one can only say that were my wife and I in the (admittedly unlikely in view of our ages) position of re-entering the field of school ownership we should not hesitate to call NST first.
Harry Webster

The Old Vicarage School

Bredon School National School Transfer
Our school was our love, indeed our life! Passing it on was always going to be difficult. We had never imagined leaving it but Pat Carter and members of his team at NST made us realise that our involvement was too personal and intense to make an appointment of a head-teacher a fair or viable alternative. Pat gave us no false hopes, making it clear that the sale could take between one and ten years. He encouraged us to think of five years, a necessary intelligence to any others thinking of moving on! Suitable replacements and total confidentiality were our major concerns: both were superbly safeguarded by Pat and his team. An encouragingly supportive report of our school was circulated in January 2001 to a selected audience. Pat had particular potential purchasers in mind when details were sent out. The fact that these people ultimately bought the school clearly demonstrates the importance of the close relationships that NST makes with vendors and purchasers in facilitating the important matching. NST were always there for us, in the background, as negotiations progressed – never badgering, but available when needed. We shall always be grateful to Pat and the NST team. They found the ideal purchasers to take our school forward and to afford the children the same love and care that we had always sought to provide.
Mary & Graham Holbrow
Even though purchasing a business is exciting, the search for the exact match between buyer and seller can indeed be a daunting, time-consuming effort. As we pursued our lifetime dream of owning and operating a school, we found many concerns we had not anticipated. Fortunately, we liaised with Mr. Pat Carter of National School Transfer. This provided a solid, reputable company and a professional sales agent. NST furnished us with all the necessary pertinent data and was always willing to discuss matters unfamiliar to us with no breach of confidentiality. With the dedicated interest and commitment to detail, we were able to purchase our beautiful school/home. It is all that we had imagined and searched for. It was well worth the time element. We highly recommend Pat Carter’s services as those of the utmost calibre and feel that National School Transfer maintains the best standards possible.
Andrew and Susan McLean, The Old Vicarage School Buyers

Silfield School

Bredon School National School Transfer
I write to thank you for successfully selling my school – Silfield Private Day School, King’s Lynn. May I say how impressed I was with your service. I was able to deal with you personally at all times, and on those rare occasions I was not able to reach you, you always rang back very quickly. Of particular importance was total confidentiality, and in this, you excelled – all communications were marked ‘Private and Confidential’ and addressed to me personally; no messages were left electronically or on answer phone and without exception, you always contacted me on my personal number and after school hours. I was able to have absolute faith in your confidentiality and professionalism. Also worth mentioning is the promptness of your passing on details of prospective buyers. I thank you for your professional service which you provide, together with personal contact and total security of confidentiality.
C E K Phillips
From our initial enquiry through to our successful purchase of the school we felt confident that we were in good hands. Thank you so much for all your help and advice and your continued interest in the school.
C O Hamel-Cooke, Buyer

Merton House School

From the first visit made to the school, it was obvious that National School Transfer had a clear understanding of both the social qualities and the business potential of our school. The first client that National School Transfer sent to us, in fact, purchased the school, indicating an ability to match buyer to school – an extremely important attribute. During the long and important negotiations and legal difficulties that arose on occasions, National School Transfer offered coherent and sensible advice that helped towards the successful outcome. Without their presence, the process would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Jim Watts

Handel House School

My husband and I began our quest to buy a preparatory school in July 2000 and were recommended National School Transfer by a previous buyer. We attended the seminar and found it to be informative, logical in terms of what to do next and without pressure. Pat Carter and his team were with us every step of the way, advising, mediating and making each step as easy as it could possibly be, given the fact that we were buying an educational business. The service offered was discreet, confidential, professional and obviously based upon many years of experience. We are now the proud owners of a beautiful Preparatory School in Lincolnshire and our future success will always be based upon our relationship with NST.
Mrs Victoria C Haigh

Cherry Tree Montessori & Pear Tree Montessori

I was recommended to Pat Carter by a friend who had sold her nursery school through National School Transfer. Since that time the NST have successfully marketed and sold my two Montessori nursery schools. In both instances, potential buyers were found shortly after the preparation of the marketing document and I was very impressed with their suitability. The agency provided efficient and confidential service and in particular, Mr. Carter’s knowledge and experience were invaluable to both me and my buyers.
Paula Brooks, Seller
During 2000 I utilised several companies in my search for a nursery school. In the early part of 2001, I contacted the National School Transfer after reading their advert in a pre-school magazine. It didn’t take long for a suitable business to be identified and for the appropriate information to be exchanged to enable an acquisition to be considered. National School Transfer provided personal, professional and confidential service, keeping in close contact throughout the purchase, advising and guiding where necessary. As an individual seeking an opportunity to take over a small business, I felt confident in the services given.
Joanne Clement, Buyer

Riddlesworth Hall School

Bredon School National School Transfer
We have been closely involved in the rescue of schools and Riddlesworth Hall School in Norfolk is a recent example. Riddlesworth Hall is a prestigious girls’ boarding school and was a full member of the Allied Schools Group. It ran into financial difficulties and needed specialist knowledge and close nurturing in order to survive. National School Transfer gathered together a consortium who put in a successful bid.

The Hall Pre-Preparatory School

Bredon School National School Transfer
From the first contact, I felt that not only was the sale of my school in ‘good hands’ but that it was important to Mr. Carter to find not just a buyer but the RIGHT buyer. I found Pat Carter to be very approachable, professional and committed with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of school life. I am extremely grateful for his support, understanding and advice and would not hesitate to recommend National School Transfer.
Mrs A C Portway, Seller
When I set out to find a suitable nursery or school premises for a small business venture, I found the service that you offer to be discreet, professional and most informative. If you remember, I did not even realise, until I went to view it, that one of the schools I had expressed an interest in was, in fact, the one that I had known well for over thirty years. It is very important to me, and I imagine other prospective vendors and buyers, to know that total confidentiality can be maintained until the time is right. I also found your seminar most informative and helpful. It was good to meet with others who held similar business ambitions. Finally, I should like to add my gratitude for the friendly advice, support and interest you took in mediating and keeping all concerned happy throughout the process right through to the final negotiations and completion. I would certainly recommend National School Transfer to anyone wanting to acquire their own school. When I decide to retire and sell The Hall, I will most certainly be in touch.
Mrs Diane Wesson, Buyer

24:7 PlayCare

Bredon School National School Transfer
After a number of disappointments in my property search for a nursery, my bank manager suggested the purchase of a going concern, which led me to National School Transfer. Regular listing assisted in the selection process and help was at hand at all stages of the search, through to completion of the sale. As a novice in the nursery market, this provided me with both a useful sounding board and some invaluable advice.
Laetitia Tillman, The Playhouse

Motcombe Grange School

Bredon School National School Transfer
The National School Transfer agency successfully marketed and sold Motcombe Grange School in a professional and friendly manner. The agents introduced many potential buyers who visited the school discreetly at mutually convenient times. Support from the agency in the form of helpful advice or a friendly listening ear was always at hand. Overall, I found that integrity was the hallmark of the service given.
M R Williams

Danesfield Preparatory School

Bredon School National School Transfer

With regard to the sale of the above school, I would like to thank you all for the help and assistance you gave me to sort out the best possible way to deal with the situation. Your handling of it was very efficient and I much appreciate the strict confidentiality of the whole operation.

Susan Harvey

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