Another important business move in the field of private education comes to confirm the dynamics that have been developing in recent years in the Greek school market. The historical training centre "The Pagretion" passed control of British Forfar Education, marking the tenth in order to acquire a Greek private school from an international training group or an investment scheme.

This agreement goes beyond the narrow framework of an individual business operation, as it is part of a wider wave of restructuring of the private education sector in Greece, which began about two years ago, where large international organisations and investment funds acquire presence through acquisitions of historical training establishments with strong reputation, multi-annual operation and a stable student base.

A reference school for Crete
Pagretion is one of the most recognized private training establishments in Crete. It was founded in the 1963–64 school year by a group of young scientists aimed at creating an educational organization that would combine academic quality with modern pedagogical approaches. Since then it has evolved into an integrated educational organization covering all levels of education, from pre-school to high school.

During its course, the school developed intense educational and social activity, participating in European programmes and initiatives. He has recently received the title 'Embassy of the European Parliament', which reflects the international dimension he had already developed before the change of ownership.

As a training centre, Pagretio places particular emphasis on academic performance, participation in European programmes and the development of extroversion actions. For many families of Heraklion and the wider area it is one of the most recognizable educational organizations in Crete, with long tradition and strong ties to the local community.

It is precisely this strong local identity that makes the acquisition particularly important. On the basis of what has been said, it is not just an investment in an emerging educational unit, but the inclusion of a historic school into an international educational network with a European presence.

Which is Forfar Education
Forfar Education is a London-based British educational organization, founded in 2019. According to the information published, it develops an international network of independent schools, while choosing to invest in educational organisations, which have a strong reputation in local communities where they operate, based on common educational principles and business practices. The group is headed by the founder and CEO John Forsyth, while management is framed by executives with experience in the field of education and investment.

The acquisition of Pagretios is Forfar's second investment in the Greek market, as it had preceded the acquisition of the "Rode Education" training establishments in Rhodes.

The selection of two strong regional schools suggests that the group does not restrict its interest in large urban centres, but seeks educational organisations with strong local presence and potential for further development. As analysts point out, the agreement had been described as the beginning of a wider strategic expansion of the group in the Greek region with the acquisition of Pagretios coming to confirm this assessment.

Greece at the heart of international educational groups
Forfar Education's entry into Pagretion is part of a wider investment trend that has significantly changed the private education map over the last two years.

Historical training courses that for decades operated under family administration or as autonomous organizations have passed into control of major international educational networks. In particular, international groups such as Inspired Education Group, International Schools Partnership (ISP), Cognita, Dukes Education and now Forfar Education have acquired participations or control of important Greek schools. These include the Kostea-Neighbours (CGS), the Moraitis School, the Avulea-Linardato Education, the Greek-German Education, the "The Plato" Education, the Duke Training, the Mandoulides Education and the International School of Athens.

The first phase of this wave mainly concerned major schools in Attica and Thessaloniki. In the second phase, already in progress, interest is shifted to strong regional training centres. Rhodes and Heraklion are now examples of this new strategy.

Market players estimate that this trend will continue, as several other schools in the district are being examined by foreign groups seeking development opportunities in a market with relatively high rates of educational demand and strong prospects of extroversion. This concentration is considered by analysts as an indication of market maturity, as Greek private schools are gradually converted into members of international networks operating in many countries and have common administrative, educational development and investment strategy structures.

Why Greece attracts foreign educational funds
Increasing mobility around private schools is not accidental. On the contrary, the interest of international groups in Greek education is due to a combination of factors.

Firstly, private education is internationally considered a sector with stable cash flows and long-term growth prospects, particularly in countries where demand for international curricula and alternative educational models is increasing.

At the same time, Greece has a number of private schools with strong educational brands, long history and high recognition, which make them attractive investment goals.

Market players point out that strengthening demand for International Baccalaureate (IB), increasing extroversion of Greek education and reforms that widen the education ecosystem create new investment opportunities. At the same time, the economic stabilisation of the country and the improvement of income conditions in specific social groups strengthen interest in private education services. In particular, the growing demand for international curricula, the needs for digital transformation of schools and the strengthening of the international mobility of students and teachers create an environment conducive to the activity of multinational educational organisations.

According to market reports, the total investment of foreign groups in Greek private education is estimated to have already exceeded 1 billion euros, while information says there are ongoing discussions on new acquisitions in both Athens and the region.

The next day
Any major change in ownership status is accompanied by concerns and a series of questions. In the case of Pangrete, OELE has put the issue of industrial relations and maintaining the positive climate that, according to the Federation, characterized the school to date. In fact, an intention has already been announced for contacts with the Association of Teachers in order to monitor the transition to the new regime.

In addition to labour issues, public dialogue also focuses on a wider question: whether the entry of large international groups will enhance the quality of educational services or lead to greater corporateization of an area traditionally based on the personal relationship between school, student and family, thus altering their educational personality.