What The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust does

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust (TEFAT) is a charitable multi-academy trust (MAT) in England, founded in 2011 by Caroline Whalley CBE and Henry Bedford, and led since inception by CEO Hugh Greenway. The trust specializes in primary education, operating 36 primary academies across three UK regions: West Midlands (17 schools), London (10 schools, including the head office at 144 York Way), and East Anglia (10 schools). It serves more than 15,000 children aged 3-11, predominantly in deprived and diverse communities, with 89% of schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted (94% excluding schools not yet re-inspected post-joining). The trust is a registered charity (Company No. 7844369) operating under a dual-entity structure with TEF as sponsor and TEFAT as the operating trust.

The trust's product surface spans core primary education services plus adjacent offerings: the Green Curriculum (launched September 2023), Arts Curriculum with Artsmark-accredited schools and Royal Opera House performances, the Community Box food distribution programme (150,000+ boxes, £5m+ value delivered), Community Hubs embedded in schools (food banks, parenting classes, NHS clinics), and the Elliot Foundation Learning Alliance CPD business. Trust Support Services provide finance, HR, payroll, legal, insurance, IT, MIS, and estates management to member schools. The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; the Home Learning Platform is built on Google Sites.

The business model is government-funded per-pupil subscription income (DfE/ESFA funding for academies), with admissions coordinated via Local Authorities. The trust reinvests surpluses into its network rather than distributing profit. Growth is driven by onboarding additional primary schools meeting GTM criteria (400+ pupils on roll, no significant structural deficits, estates without major financial risk, within 30-minute drive of an existing academy). Non-government revenue includes minor CPD income via Learning Alliance and in-kind community programme value from partners including FareShare, Felix Project, City Harvest, and Rackets Cubed.

Name

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust

Legal name

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust

Website

https://elliotfoundation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust is a charitable UK multi-academy trust operating 36 primary academies across West Midlands, London, and East Anglia, serving over 15,000 children aged 3-11, funded primarily by government per-pupil grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Play-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAE)

Keywords

• Primary education services
• Multi academy trust
• Primary school operator
• School improvement services
• Community education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Public funding from UK government for running academies and providing primary education services. This is the primary revenue stream for the multi-academy trust.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust runs 36 primary academies across the West Midlands, London, and East Anglia, delivering primary education to over 15,000 children aged 3-11. Its core offer is broad-curriculum primary schooling with strong arts provision, complemented by shared Trust Support Services (school improvement, finance, HR, payroll, legal, IT, estates) and community-facing programmes (Community Boxes, Community Hubs). The trust also offers CPD through the Elliot Foundation Learning Alliance and operates a Research School for evidence-based school improvement.

Product overview

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust operates a platform of 36 primary academies across three regions (West Midlands, London, East Anglia), serving over 15,000 children. The core product is primary education services delivered through autonomous schools that maintain local identity while benefiting from Trust-wide support. Supporting the educational offering are curriculum programmes including the Green Curriculum (sustainability education launched September 2023) and Arts Curriculum (with Artsmark-accredited schools). Community-facing products include the Community Box Programme (food distribution reaching 150,000 boxes), Community Hubs (services within school facilities), and the Rackets Cubed health programme. Infrastructure services include Home Learning (Google Sites-based remote learning), Research School (school improvement support), High Quality CPD (teacher professional development via Learning Alliance), and Trust Support Services (finance, HR, IT, legal, estates management for member schools).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Elliot Foundation Learning Alliance: Provides CPD courses and events for educators

Products and services

• Primary Education Services Core primary school education (nursery through Key Stage 2) delivered across 36 academies in West Midlands, London, and East Anglia, serving over 15,000 children with a deliberately broad curriculum and strong arts provision.
• Community Box Programme Food and essentials distribution programme providing weekly boxes of surplus food (sourced via FareShare UK, Felix Project, City Harvest) and other items to vulnerable families, delivered through 23 school distribution hubs.
• Community Hubs Community services embedded within school facilities, offering baby groups, food banks, clothing provision, debt management courses, family cookery courses, NHS health visitor clinics, and employability sessions for local residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted (94% excluding unvisited schools)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 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, minor and flagship.

• FareShare UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Charity providing surplus food for the Community Box programme. Schools become distribution centres for weekly boxes of surplus food sourced from FareShare alongside donations from local businesses.
• Felix ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Food surplus charity providing food for Community Box programme supporting vulnerable families in the trust's schools.
• City HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Food surplus charity contributing to the Community Box programme helping reduce food waste while supporting families in need.
• Rackets CubedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sports charity running integrated racket sport (squash/tennis), education and nutrition programmes for disadvantaged children. Partnership aims to help children fulfil academic potential and improve physical and mental health.
• Sal's ShoesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution partner providing new shoes for deprived children through school distribution hubs.
• Cosy CoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinter coats distribution partner providing free coats to selected students who need them.
• Wrap Up LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinter coats distribution partner operating in London schools to provide free winter coats to selected students.
• Royal Opera HouseflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor arts partnership. In 2023, 2000 children from every Elliot Foundation school performed at Royal Opera House singing The Magic Flute alongside opera singers and live orchestra, following a year-long programme designed to upskill teachers and embed quality arts programmes.
• National TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for Griffin Primary School, providing creative and arts opportunities for students.
• Research School (Billesley)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBillesley Primary School hosts a Research School as part of the trust's educational improvement initiatives.
• Somerset HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWheat project featured in Somerset House 'Soil' exhibition showcasing artworks and poetry from children involved in growing wheat in their schools.
• A New DirectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished reflections on running a multi-school arts network across the trust's schools in West Midlands, London, and East Anglia.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Hugh Greenway serves as Advisory Board Member. Partnership supports international school connections and educational exchange.
• BCS - The Chartered Institute for ITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Hugh Greenway serves as Vice President and Trustee. Partnership supports IT professional development and digital education initiatives.
• West Bromwich AlbionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional football club whose players (Darnell Furlong and Nathaniel Chalobah) visited Shireland Hall girl's football team for Q&A session and training.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• David Ross Education Trust: UK MAT with primary and secondary schools focused on improving educational outcomes. Comparable in scale, academy conversion approach, and central service hub model.
• Ormiston Academies Trust: UK MAT with primary and secondary schools across multiple regions. Comparable in operating model, scale, and focus on school improvement with autonomy-based approach.
• Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): Largest UK MAT by school count, operating primary and secondary academies across multiple regions. Comparable in operating model, central service provision, and government-funded revenue structure.
• United Learning: Large UK MAT with broad primary and secondary school portfolio across multiple regions. Operates on a similar model of comprehensive school support services, including curriculum, HR, and finance.
• REAch2: A charitable primary-focused multi-academy trust operating across England. Closest comparable to Elliot Foundation given primary-only focus, charity status, and similar turnaround model for underperforming schools.
• Harris Federation: One of the largest MATs in the UK, operating primary and secondary schools predominantly in London and South East. Directly comparable structure as a multi-academy trust running schools at scale with similar government funding model.
• Ark (Absolute Return for Kids): Major UK MAT running primary and secondary schools with networks across multiple regions. Comparable in scale, academy conversion strategy, and focus on school improvement for disadvantaged communities.
• Oasis Community Learning: UK MAT with primary and secondary schools focused on community integration, paralleling Elliot Foundation's community hub model. Comparable in mission-driven, community-focused approach to school improvement.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: UK MAT operating primary and secondary schools across multiple regions. Comparable in scale, academy conversion strategy, and centralized support services.
• Star Academies: UK MAT with primary and secondary schools, recognized for school improvement outcomes. Comparable in operating model, Ofsted-driven performance focus, and multi-region footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elliotfndtn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Elliot Foundation Academies Trust