The Aurora Group
The Aurora Group operates a network of 28 specialist SEND schools, 2 further education colleges, and 2 residential homes across England, serving children, young people, and adults with autism, SEMH, learning disabilities, and complex care needs, funded primarily via local authority EHCPs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersGloucester, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Aurora Group does
The Aurora Group, legally Aurora Care & Education Opco Ltd, is a UK-based specialist provider of education, care, and support services for children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Gloucester, England, the group operates a network of 28 specialist day and residential schools, 2 further education colleges (Aurora Boveridge College and Aurora Foxes), 2 residential care homes (Aurora Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor), an associated alternative provision organization (R.E.A.L. Education), and a training hotel (Foxes Hotel). Services span autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, moderate to severe learning difficulties, speech/language/communication needs, and profound and multiple learning difficulties for ages 5-30. Differentiated technology assets include 4D Immersive Sensory Rooms with projected interactive environments, scent and wind effects, and over 100 interactive learning experiences, alongside infant simulators used in the Child Development curriculum.
The group is funded primarily through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) commissioned by UK local authorities, with additional coordination from NHS partners. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed through regional Placement Managers supporting families through the EHCP admission process and four regional Business Development Managers covering North West, North East, South West, and South East who engage directly with local authorities and NHS commissioners. The operating model relies on small class sizes, trauma-informed teaching, in-house therapy teams (occupational therapy, speech and language therapy), and credentialed facilities such as Ofsted-rated Outstanding and Good schools, B Corp certification, and National Autistic Society Advanced accreditation. Revenue, ownership structure, and cap table are not publicly disclosed; the entity operates as a privately held UK limited company with Kelvin Donald as CEO.
The Aurora Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Aurora Group
- Legal name
- Aurora Care & Education Opco Ltd
- Website
- https://theauroragroup.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Aurora Group operates a network of 28 specialist SEND schools, 2 further education colleges, and 2 residential homes across England, serving children, young people, and adults with autism, SEMH, learning disabilities, and complex care needs, funded primarily via local authority EHCPs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Aurora Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Education and Care Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA), Autism Spectrum (ASD) Academic & Social-Communication Support Tutoring (EDANAFAD)
Keywords
Where The Aurora Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gloucester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Aurora Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Education and Care Services: Specialist education, care and support services for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Services include day schools, residential schools, colleges, and residential care homes. Funding primarily through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) coordinated with local authorities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Aurora Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Aurora Group operates a network of specialist day schools, further education colleges, and residential homes delivering academic, therapeutic and pastoral provision for children, young people and adults (aged 5-25) with SEND including autism, ADHD, SEMH, MLD, SLCN, and complex health needs. Placements are primarily funded through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) commissioned by local authorities, with direct family enquiry pathways and NHS coordination also supported.
Product overview
The Aurora Group operates a comprehensive network of specialist educational and care services for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The portfolio includes 28 specialist schools (ranging from primary to secondary education for ages 5-19), 2 specialist further education colleges (Aurora Boveridge College and Aurora Foxes), 2 residential homes (Aurora Meldreth Manor Children's Home and Aurora Orchard Manor Residential Home), and associated services including R.E.A.L. Education and the Foxes Hotel training facility. Services cover autism spectrum conditions, social/emotional/mental health needs, learning difficulties, speech/language/communication needs, ADHD, and complex care needs. The organization focuses on providing individualized academic, therapeutic, and pastoral support through small class sizes, trauma-informed teaching, and specialist facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- R.E.A.L. Education: Related specialist education service operated by the group
Products and services
- Aurora Specialist Day Schools Network of 26+ specialist day schools across England delivering academic and therapeutic provision for children and young people aged 5-19 with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, social, emotional and mental health needs, moderate to severe learning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, and complex needs. Placements are commissioned by local authorities via EHCPs and supported by therapy teams and small class sizes.
- Aurora Specialist Further Education Colleges Aurora Boveridge College (Dorset) and Aurora Foxes (Somerset) provide specialist further education for young people aged 16-25 with autism, SEMH needs and learning disabilities, including vocational hospitality training delivered through the Foxes Hotel training facility.
- Aurora Residential Homes Aurora Meldreth Manor Children's Home provides residential care for children and young people with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. Aurora Orchard Manor Residential Home supports young adults aged 18-30 with multiple complex needs through transition from education into adulthood.
- R.E.A.L. Education Associated specialist education organisation within The Aurora Group providing additional SEND educational services.
- Foxes Hotel Training Facility Real-world hospitality training facility operated by Aurora Foxes college, providing vocational work experience for students aged 16-25 with learning disabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple 'Outstanding' and 'Good' Ofsted ratings across schools
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Aurora Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Aurora Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature2 records
The Aurora Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Aurora Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- National Autistic Society: UK charity that both accredits SEND providers (including Aurora's NAS Advanced Award at Aurora Hanley) and operates a small number of specialist education and adult services. Adjacent/ecosystem participant rather than direct commercial competitor.
- Ambitious about Autism: UK charity running specialist schools and colleges (e.g., TreeHouse, Ambitious College) for autistic pupils. Not a direct shareholder competitor but operates in the same EHCP-funded SEND school and college segment.
- Engage Partnership (Engage Care): UK SEND staffing, therapy and placement provider that supports local authorities, schools and families with specialist SEND recruitment and care services. Adjacent supplier/distributor rather than direct school operator.
Direct peers
- Cambian Group: UK provider of specialist education and residential care for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs, now part of the Priory Group. Direct competitor on specialist SEND placement commissioning.
- Outcomes First Group: Major UK operator of specialist schools, colleges and residential services for children and adults with autism, SEMH and complex needs. Competes head-to-head with Aurora for EHCP-funded placements across England.
- Witherslack Group: One of the largest UK specialist education and care providers for children with SEND, operating residential schools, day schools and children's homes across England. Closest direct peer to Aurora in scale, model (EHCP-funded placements), and SEND taxonomy.
- Acorn Care and Education: UK provider of specialist day schools, residential schools and homes for children with autism, SEMH and complex learning needs funded via EHCPs. Direct competitor to Aurora at regional placement level.
- The Hesley Group: UK specialist education, residential care and adult services provider focused on autism, learning disabilities and complex needs. Comparable model mixing schools, residential homes and adult services, like Aurora.
Broad incumbents
- Priory Group: Large diversified UK operator (including Priory Education Services) running specialist schools, children's homes and adult care for SEND and mental health populations. Broader portfolio than Aurora but directly overlaps on education and residential SEND.
Emerging players
- Kedleston Group: Smaller UK operator of independent specialist schools and children's homes for pupils with SEMH, autism and ADHD. Comparable service mix to Aurora at a smaller scale; partial overlap on commissioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Aurora Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Aurora Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Aurora Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Aurora Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
The Aurora Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries33 records
The Aurora Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Aurora Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Aurora Group
What does The Aurora Group do?
The Aurora Group operates a network of specialist day schools, further education colleges, and residential homes delivering academic, therapeutic and pastoral provision for children, young people and adults (aged 5-25) with SEND including autism, ADHD, SEMH, MLD, SLCN, and complex health needs. Placements are primarily funded through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) commissioned by local authorities, with direct family enquiry pathways and NHS coordination also supported.
Is The Aurora Group a public or private company?
The Aurora Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was The Aurora Group founded?
The Aurora Group was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Aurora Group based?
The Aurora Group is headquartered in Gloucester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Aurora Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: education and Care Services.
Who are The Aurora Group's main competitors?
Others on record are National Autistic Society, Ambitious about Autism and Engage Partnership (Engage Care). Direct peers are Cambian Group, Outcomes First Group, Witherslack Group, Acorn Care and Education and The Hesley Group. Priory Group is listed as a broad incumbent. Kedleston Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Aurora Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Aurora Group.
What industry is The Aurora Group in?
The Aurora Group's product category is Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Education and Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAA, Autism-Specific Schools & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAKAKAC, Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.