Business Profile; Deise College  

Although only in operation since 2003, the growth of Déise College has been remarkable. From humble beginnings this business has grown and expanded due to sincere demand. Déise College is the local tutorial centre providing top quality educational services ranging from supervised study, grinds, revision courses etc. to primary and secondary school students.Alan & Caroline Ryan (Directors of Déise College) are both very much connected to education, having a couple of decades of teaching experience between them,  however they still took a risk and trusted their instincts opening the doors to their new business venture over Whytes Corner some 6 years ago. Inspired and motivated to consider this business venture when they realised that local parents and students required a top quality educational provider for after school hours.  Alan & Caroline also were aware of many pupils travelling to Dublin, Cork and Limerick to avail of revision courses and other educational services when there was no reason that similar services could not be provided by the highly experienced teachers in the South East. And so began Déise College with a small group of exam students commencing evening supervised study and grinds in Business, Maths, Irish and French.  It soon became apparent that demand outweighed supply and so larger premises were required to accommodate the volume of clients seeking this facility.  

Not only has the growth since start up been observed in the areas of numbers attending supervised study and grinds, but many other educational supports and services have been established, developed and are well supported.   The College is presently providing evening, Saturday and holiday supervised study to students from all over East Cork and West Waterford as well as students holidaying in the Dungarvan area during holiday times. 

The College now provides grinds in all subjects at all levels subject to demand.  Revision courses and oral preparation days are now a major component of the College Diary. 

‘Demand’ is only one element of business though it must be considered. Perhaps another reason for the success and rapid growth of this business is the fact that both Alan & Caroline Ryan and the Deise College  Manager Pat Ryan listen to the needs of both parents and students and create services, seminars and courses based on those needs.  

For Example;   Over the last number of years the College has received numerous requests to run programmes specifically geared towards primary school pupils.  Subsequently, last year the College launched Deise College “Junior” which focuses on providing a top quality service for primary pupils.  The Maths and Irish programmes for 5^th and 6^th class pupils reinforce the subjects’ basics and provide pupils with a strong introduction to first year secondary school work.  The language programmes (from 3^rd – 6^th class) are geared towards beginners with a strong emphasis on communication and fun. Each programme runs for ten weeks for one hour per week.  The College finds that the specified time period keeps younger students focused and motivated.  

Deise College has developed a ‘Study Skills Seminar’ which is specifically designed for second level students.  Upon completion of this seminar, students will be equipped with the confidence and the relevant skills needed to approach study effectively.  At various times the College runs a ‘Seminar For Parents’, this deals with how they may best help their children to study productively. 

The College provides grinds from first to sixth years. Reasoning behind this is first and second year is a good time to improve individual standards.  Students find that they can solve any problem areas early.  Third, fifth and sixth year grinds are exam focused.  Transition years often opt to get a head start in subjects before starting the Leaving Certificate programme in fifth year, particularly Honours Maths and Irish. The College offers vital revision courses and oral preparation days during the school holidays at Easter for Junior and Leaving Certificate students. The revision courses in particular where once students had to travel to cities for in the past, they can now enjoy a huge advantage having Déise College on their doorstep.  Also the teaching is of the highest caliber.  All highly qualified teachers that have been hand picked for their vast teaching experience and their ability to get the best out of students.  Each grind/course focuses on examination techniques and how to approach exam questions.  The staff monitors students closely to assess their progress.   

The ethos of the College is conveyed in it’s slogan, “helping students achieve”.  The aim is to reinforce the great work being done by local primary and post primary schools. Déise College provides quality tuition and the support services required to allow students attain their maximum results without having to travel outside the local community. The geographical range Déise College would have is West Waterford and East Cork.  However, other students holidaying in the area often avail of the holiday supervised study facilities or revision courses/oral preparation days. 

Directors Alan & Caroline maintain that their main distinctive features are small class sizes , thus providing direct, continuous contact with supportive teachers unlike larger tutorial centres.  Déise College prides itself on listening to feedback from parents, teachers and pupils and developing programmes suited to local needs. For example, Déise College has received numerous requests from parents to run supervised study specifically geared towards First and Second year pupils. Parents have repeatedly told us at Déise College that their child simply does not know how to study or they don’t know where to start.  Many parents believe that if they just had the basic study skills they would progress far better in Secondary school. Consequently, this year, Déise College developed a study programme specifically geared towards 1st & 2nd year pupils, combining study skills with independent study.  Students do not need to waste valuable time travelling outside the local area to locate quality services thus also reducing expenses on parents.

Déise College also aims to provide a superior product/service/ package at a price that customers are happy to pay. And in case it was not apparent earlier; a very personalised service where feedback is appreciated, listened to and implemented  from students and parents.

The best advice received by Déise College upon start up – was “Stick to what you are good at”, similar to Brody Sweeney’s (founder O’Brien’s Sandwich Bars) theory – ‘be an expert in one  thing’. Good advice obviously, particularly as the growth of this business has been steady, powerful and is very evident. So much so that the plans for the future are very focused and growth orientated. 

The College is currently in the process of moving to a purpose built facility where it plans to continue offering the same quality educational services.  It hopes to expand the opportunities offered for both Primary and Secondary pupils and therefore welcomes feedback from parents re programmes/seminars/courses.

This type of feedback and the importance Déise College puts on listening to customers and acting on what they learn promptly is an important reason for the successful growth and expansion of Désie College. Alan, Caroline & Pat Ryan surely exhibit their agreement with George Evans when he states that “Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way”!

 Déise College is currently based in Bridge House,  Dungarvan but is in the process of moving to a purpose built facility in the town centre. For further information about Déise College in general or a particular service offered tel; 058 48623, Email; or visit website www.deisecollege.com  

Déise College is a loyal member to the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber. For further information about the above business, or generally about the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, please contact telephone number 058 45054 or email;