Stagecoach Theatre Arts was founded in 1988 by Stephanie Manuel and David Sprigg and it now operates the UK's largest network of part-time performing arts schools for young people aged between 4 and 19, with over 40,600 students world-wide.

	Founded in 1988 with three schools in Surrey
	By 1993 the business had grown to 24 managed schools
	Sale of the first three franchises in 1994
	Early Stages, classes for 4 to 6 year olds, launched in 1997
	From 1995 to 1999 Stagecoach schools opened in Ireland, Malta, USA, Germany
	and Australia
	In 2000 Stagecoach wins the prestigious Sir Bernard Ingham Trophy for business
	franchising
	SportsCoach launched in April 2001
	Listed on AIM in December 2001
	Acquired 100% USA subsidiary in June 2002
	Acquired 90% German subsidiary in July 2003
	First USA franchisee in September 2003
	First German franchisee in September 2004
	First Mini Stages franchisee in September 2004
	Launch of Early Sporties in April 2005
	Launch of the on-line shop, www.stagecoachshop.co.uk, in 2008
	40,600 students worldwide in Summer Term 2008

Stagecoach Theatre Arts teaches children skills for life, such as confidence and communication, through the performing arts. Each "Stagecoach school", operated under franchise by the school principal, runs for 3 hours, typically at a weekend, from rented premises, with three teachers, and up to 45 students. Each week every student is taught one hour of dance, one hour of drama and one hour of singing.

	Profit before tax up 89 per cent to £0.71 million (2007: £0.37m), and 33 per cent ahead of market expectations, due to more students than forecast and continued reduction in overheads.
	Franchise network fees (i.e. underlying school fees throughout franchise network) up 7.5 per cent to £28.5m (2007: £26.5m) reflecting strong performance of franchisees worldwide.
	Earnings Per Share substantially up by 200 per cent to 5.1p (2007: 1.7p).
	Proposed resumption of dividend payment of 2p per share (2007: nil).
	Healthy cash balance at year end of £1.0m (2007: £0.3m).
	Total student numbers worldwide up by 3.6 per cent to over 40,600 (2007: 39,200), as demand for performing arts tuition for children in the UK and overseas continues to grow
	Launch of Stagecoach’s on-line Shop, (www.stagecoachshop.co.uk), and now ready to extend the range of merchandise with marketing due to commence shortly.
	The main Stagecoach UK business, which accounts for 92 per cent of network fees, continues to grow strongly, with profit before tax up 10.7 per cent to £0.82m (2007: £0.74m).
	Following the restructuring of the US operations, the US cost base will be minimal going forward, whilst the new Area Development Agreement will provide an opportunity to build for future success.
	The German network continues to trade well, with further scope for expansion in other overseas areas such as in Greece and Ireland.

David Sprigg, Managing Director, commented:

“This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, and with record network fees, an 89% increase in profit before tax, and a return to the dividend list, this has truly been a year to celebrate.”