The College of Richard Collyer

What The College of Richard Collyer does

The College of Richard Collyer is a state-funded sixth form college located on Hurst Road in Horsham, West Sussex, founded in 1532 and operating today as an academy within the Horsham Learning Alliance multi-academy trust (joined 2020). It delivers post-16 education to students aged 16-19 through a portfolio spanning over 45 A Level subjects, BTEC National Level 3 vocational qualifications (Sport, Creative Digital Media Production, Travel and Tourism, Music) and T Level programmes (Education and Early Years, Digital Production). Outcomes cited include a 59% A*-B rate at A Level, placement in the top 10% of UK A Level providers nationally, and 90% of its graduates who completed a degree achieving a 1st or 2:1 (with 41% at Russell Group universities achieving a 1st). Adjacent offerings include the Collyer's Sports Academy with Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) accreditation, the Collyer's 360 Enrichment Programme (100+ activities), a Disability Sport Programme in partnership with Horsham District Council, and adult education recreational courses.

The college's commercial model is government-funded 16-19 education, with per-student ESFA grants as the primary revenue stream, supplemented by adult education fees, venue hire and donations channelled through the Quincentenary Fund. Pricing to students is zero within the 16-19 funded cohort, with ancillary financial support (16-19 Bursary, Free College Meals, Student Travel Award of £150). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through an online application system, formal guaranteed-placement partnerships with at least seven West Sussex secondary schools (The Forest School, Millais, Tanbridge House, Bohunt Horsham, The Gatwick School, Warden Park, Oathall Community College), open evenings, virtual tours and prospectus distribution. Underlying technology is limited to an internal MyProgress student portal for exam timetables and results, with no disclosed proprietary platforms, apps, AI/ML capabilities or commercial productised technology assets.

Governance is via a Local Governing Body within the Horsham Learning Alliance trust structure, comprising a Chair (Paul Mittendorfer, DfE civil service background), Deputy Chair (Lauren Smith, NHS England South East), Mercer Governors, Local Governors, Parent Governors, Staff Governors and elected Richard Collyer Union Student Governance Officers. Recent strategic moves include the 2020 academy conversion, the launch of the TASS-accredited Sports Academy, the 2025/26 Quincentenary Masterplan capital campaign, and the 2026 introduction of adult education courses.

Name

The College of Richard Collyer

Legal name

The College of Richard Collyer

Website

https://collyers.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The College of Richard Collyer is a state-funded sixth form college in Horsham, West Sussex (founded 1532), delivering A Levels, BTECs and T Levels to 16-19 year-olds via guaranteed-placement partnerships with local secondary schools, with ancillary sports academy, enrichment and adult education programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sixth Form College Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advanced Placement & College Credit Exams (CLEP/DSST) Prep (EDANABAF), Adult High School Diploma Completion Programs (EDAAABAB)

Keywords

• Sixth form education
• A level courses
• BTEC qualifications
• Post-16 education
• Vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Horsham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a state-funded sixth form college, The College of Richard Collyer receives government funding based on student enrollment for providing free education to students aged 16-19. The college is now part of Horsham Learning Alliance multi-academy trust.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The College of Richard Collyer is a state-funded sixth form college delivering A Levels, BTEC National Level 3 vocational qualifications, T Levels, an elite College Sports Academy (with TASS accreditation), and the Collyer's 360 Enrichment Programme to students aged 16-19, supplemented by adult education recreational courses. Courses are free at the point of delivery, funded through UK government further-education grants and channelled through partner-school guaranteed-placement agreements and an open online application process.

Product overview

The College of Richard Collyer is a sixth form college offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programmes. As a platform-plus-modules institution, it provides core A Level courses (over 45 subjects including traditional academics like Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, Politics, Psychology, and modern languages), BTEC National Level 3 vocational qualifications (Sport, Creative Digital Media Production, Travel and Tourism, Music), and T Level programmes (Education and Early Years, Digital Production). The sports-specific offerings form a distinct product line including the College Sports Academy (with Basketball ABL programme and TASS accreditation), Collyer's 360 Enrichment Programme (over 100 activities), and Recreational Sport Programme. The college also operates an internal student portal (MyProgress) for academic management. The portfolio is designed to serve students progressing from GCSE to higher education or employment, with clear pathways between qualifications (A Levels, BTECs, T Levels) and extensive extracurricular enrichment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Richard Collyer Union (RCU): Student union representing and supporting the student body
• Collyer's 360 Enrichment Programme
• Collyer's Active
• Collyer's Sports Academy

Products and services

• A Level Courses A Level qualification offering covering more than 45 subjects for students aged 16-19, including traditional academic subjects such as Accounting, Art and Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Dance, Design Technology, Drama, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Film Studies, French, Geography, Geology, German, History, Law, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Philosophy, Photography, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, and Extended Project Qualification.
• BTEC National Level 3 Courses Vocational BTEC National Level 3 qualifications delivered in Sport, Creative Digital Media Production, Travel and Tourism (Single Extended Certificate or Double Diploma), and the RSL Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners (RSL Level 3, equivalent to one A Level).
• T Level Courses Technical Level qualifications including the T Level in Education and Early Years, T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development, and a further Education and Early Years T Level pathway, designed to combine classroom learning with industry placement.
• College Sports Academy Elite sports programme offering Basketball (including ABL), Netball, Football, Hockey, Rugby and individual sports with increased coaching hours, physiotherapist support, video analysis and strength and conditioning. TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) accreditation supports dual-career athletes.
• Collyer's 360 Enrichment Programme Student enrichment programme requiring a minimum of 12 hours of participation drawn from more than 100 activities, including Art, Book Club, Chess, Dance, Duke of Edinburgh, Film Club, Fitness, Music and Robotics, with credits awarded for attendance and leadership roles.
• Collyer's Active (Recreational Sport Programme) Inclusive recreational activity programme offered under the Collyer's Active brand, providing Badminton, Dance, Rounders, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Yoga, Zumba and 5-a-side football to keep students fit and healthy.
• Disability Sport Programme Community sports programme delivered in partnership with Horsham District Council's sports team covering cricket, football, badminton and wheelchair basketball for young people and adults with learning and physical difficulties.
• Adult Education Recreational Courses Recreational and skills-development courses for adult learners in the local community, available for the 2026-2027 academic year and aligned with local skills priorities rather than as a primary qualification pathway.
• BTEC National Level 3 in Sport Pearson BTEC National Level 3 in Sport available as Extended Certificate (Single) or Diploma (Double), covering Anatomy and Physiology, Fitness Training, Professional Development, Sport Leadership, Sport Psychology and Business in Sport for students seeking a sport-focused pathway.
• Physical Education A Level AQA A Level Physical Education focusing on applied anatomy and physiology, skill acquisition, sport and society, biomechanical movement, sport psychology and technology in physical activity and sport for students with a sport-science focus.

Quantifiable outcome

• 59% of students achieve A*-B grade at A Level
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horsham Learning AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-academy trust founded in Horsham for Horsham. The trust is a charitable company governed by Members, Trustees and a Local Governing Body. Collyer's is now part of this newly formed trust.
• S7 Consortium of Sixth Form CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network of sixth form colleges in south east providing opportunity to share good practice, attend training courses and biennial conferences.
• Sixth Form Colleges AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership organization representing sixth form colleges nationally. Engages in national developments in the sector and represents views of members.
• Confederation of School TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization providing advice and guidance, organizing national conferences for key staff.
• Horsham District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong working relationship for Adult Education provision aligned with local skills priorities. Collaboration on sustainability initiatives including Climate Action.
• Coast to Capital LEPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Enterprise Partnership. Adult Education provision aligned with Coast to Capital LEP's Local Skills Report priorities.
• Sussex Council of Training ProvidersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership organization working to provide training to meet local needs.
• The Forest SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Millais SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Tanbridge House SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Bohunt HorshamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Warden Park Secondary AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• The Gatwick SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Oathall Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner school whose students regard Collyer's as their natural sixth form. Students guaranteed place if minimum requirements met.
• Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited site for talented athletes signposted to the college. Elite sports programme including Basketball ABL and TASS for dual career athletes.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Woodhouse College: Large London state sixth form college with broad A Level/BTEC provision. Comparable in operating model (state-funded, 16-19 focused) though serves a different urban catchment.
• Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC): Large, high-performing state sixth form college serving the Brighton/Hove/Sussex area. Directly comparable as a UK state sixth form college competing for the same South East 16-19 cohort with a similar A Level/BTEC portfolio.
• Xaverian College: Large Catholic sixth form college in Manchester offering A Levels and BTECs. Comparable as a UK state sixth form college with a broad academic/vocational portfolio and strong university-progression record.
• Esher College: Surrey-based state sixth form college serving the South East 16-19 market. Comparable A Level/vocational portfolio and similarly strong outcomes, competing in an overlapping geography.
• Reigate College: High-achieving state sixth form college in Surrey serving a similar South East 16-19 demographic. Comparable course breadth, A Level/BTEC offering, and university-progression focus.
• Hills Road Sixth Form College: One of the largest UK sixth form colleges, based in Cambridge. Comparable as a high-performing, large state sixth form college with extensive A Level/BTEC provision and strong university-progression outcomes.
• King Edward VI College, Stourbridge: Large, high-performing UK sixth form college with similar size, curriculum breadth, and university-progression focus. Comparable as a long-established state sixth form with multi-academy-trust-adjacent governance.

Regional players

• Carmel College: Sixth form college in the North West of England offering A Levels and BTECs. Comparable as a UK state sixth form college but geographically distinct, serving a different regional catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Xx.com/CollyersHorsham
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-college-of-richard-collyer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The College of Richard Collyer