Winstanley College
Winstanley College is a UK sixth-form college in Billinge, Wigan, delivering A-Level, T-Level, and GCSE resit programmes to approximately 2,000+ students aged 16-18, with dedicated Oxbridge, medical, and Art Foundation pathways, ranking 6th nationally with Ofsted Outstanding status (2025).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersWigan, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Winstanley College does
Winstanley College is a UK-based sixth-form college located in Billinge, Wigan, North West England, founded in 1977. It provides post-16 education to approximately 2,000+ students aged 16-18, delivering A-Level, T-Level, and GCSE resit programmes, alongside a fee-based Art Foundation course for over-18 and international students. The college draws from a network of 70+ feeder secondary schools and offers 10,457 unique subject combinations, 100+ enrichment activities through the ESI Enrichment Programme, and dedicated pathways for Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science preparation.
The core technology stack is conventional for the further education sector and includes the CEDAR student portal, Moodle and Microsoft Teams for online learning, the mycirqa app for library services, Heritage Online for the library catalogue, and Massolit (400+ courses, 3,000+ university-level lectures) for digital learning. There is no proprietary AI or machine-learning capability; the technology footprint is centred on content delivery, student information management, and pastoral systems rather than on platform-native or data-driven differentiation.
Winstanley is a privately operated further education institution, not publicly traded, with no disclosed parent company, subsidiaries, or external investment. Revenue is derived primarily from UK government funding for 16-18 provision, supplemented by Art Foundation fees and ancillary charges (e.g., exam certificate postage, ID badge replacement). Governance is provided by a board of governors operating under publicly available Instruments and Articles of Government. The college is a member of the Maple Group consortium and a Gatsby Learning Centre. It is led by Principal Simon Lett and reported Ofsted Outstanding in 2025, ranking 6th nationally among sixth-form colleges, with 873 A*/A grades annually, 40+ Oxbridge students, and 84% of 2025 leavers progressing to higher education or degree apprenticeships.
Winstanley College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Winstanley College
- Legal name
- Winstanley College
- Website
- https://winstanley.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Winstanley College is a UK sixth-form college in Billinge, Wigan, delivering A-Level, T-Level, and GCSE resit programmes to approximately 2,000+ students aged 16-18, with dedicated Oxbridge, medical, and Art Foundation pathways, ranking 6th nationally with Ofsted Outstanding status (2025).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Winstanley College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Further Education / Sixth-Form College
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)
Keywords
Where Winstanley College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wigan
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Winstanley College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Education: As a sixth-form college in England, Winstanley College receives government funding for students aged 16-18. Education is free for this age group under the UK government's 16-18 provision.
- Art Foundation Course: Post-A-Level art foundation program with associated fees for students over 18 or international students
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 16-18 Education (Free) |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Exam Certificate Postage |
| Unit Pricing | One time | ID Badge Replacement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Winstanley College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Winstanley College provides post-16 academic and vocational education for students aged 16-18, delivering A-Levels, T-Levels, GCSE resits, an Art Foundation programme, and an Extended Project Qualification. The college supplements classroom learning with the ESI Enrichment Programme (100+ activities), dedicated Oxbridge and medical/dental/veterinary pathways, library and study support services, and careers and progression guidance. Education is free for UK students aged 16-18 under government funding, with fees applied to certain ancillary services.
Product overview
Winstanley College is a sixth-form college offering a unified educational service centered on A-Level and vocational courses, supplemented by enrichment programs and student support services. The core academic offering comprises A-Levels, T Levels, and GCSE resits, complemented by the Art Foundation program and Extended Project Qualification. The ESI Enrichment Programme provides over 100 extracurricular activities. Supporting services include the Library (with Heritage Online catalogue and Massolit digital learning platform), Study Support, and Careers and Progression Services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- A-Level and Vocational Courses Post-16 academic and vocational education programs including A-Levels, T Levels, and GCSE resits across a wide range of subjects for students aged 16-18.
- Art Foundation Specialized foundation program in art and design preparing students for degree-level studies in creative disciplines, with associated fees for students over 18 or international students.
- ESI Enrichment Programme Comprehensive enrichment program offering over 100 activities including extracurricular, MOOCs, supracurricular, trips, social action, sports, media and performance arts, and the Duke of Edinburgh award.
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Independent research project allowing students to develop and extend their learning beyond A-Level curriculum.
- Library Services Comprehensive library services including access to Heritage Online catalogue, subject guides, study support resources, and borrowing facilities through mycirqa.
- Massolit Online Learning Platform Digital learning resource containing over 400 online courses and 3,000+ individual lectures from university academics, used for revision and super-curricular evidence for UCAS applications.
- Study Support Services Academic support including study skills resources, additional support needs assistance, personal tutoring, and mental health and wellbeing services.
- Careers and Progression Services Careers guidance including the Inspiring Futures Programme, work experience placements, university destinations support, and apprenticeship information.
Quantifiable outcome
- 873 A*/A grades achieved by students each year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Winstanley College
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Winstanley College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Winstanley College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Maple GroupcoreMaple Group is a consortium of sixth-form colleges collaborating on educational initiatives and sharing best practices. Winstanley College is a member of this group, participating in joint educational development and advocacy for further education.
- Gatsby FoundationcoreThe Gatsby Foundation focuses on good career guidance in education. Winstanley College operates as a Gatsby Learning Centre, implementing career guidance programmes and frameworks to prepare students for higher education and employment.
- MassolitsupportingMassolit provides over 400 online courses and 3,000 individual lectures from university academics. Winstanley College students and staff access this digital learning resource for revision, stretch and challenge, and super-curricular evidence for UCAS applications.
- Heritage OnlinesupportingHeritage Online provides the college's library catalogue system, enabling students to search and access the library's book collection and digital resources.
- Exam Boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC)coreWinstanley College works with all major UK exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC for GCE qualifications. Each subject's exam board is specified on the subject course page.
- UCAScoreUCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) handles university applications for Winstanley College students. The college provides full support for the UCAS application process including personal statements, references, and tracking through UCAS Track.
- 70+ Feeder SchoolscoreWinstanley College recruits students from over 70 secondary schools in the region. These schools provide a pipeline of students transitioning from GCSE to A-Level education.
- 42nd StreetsupportingMental health charity providing emotional wellbeing and mental health support to young people. Referenced as a resource for student mental health support services.
- KoothsupportingFree online counselling service available to students. Part of the college's mental health and wellbeing support ecosystem.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Winstanley College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hills Road Sixth Form College: Large Cambridge-based sixth-form college consistently ranked among the top in England for A-Level outcomes and Oxbridge progression. Direct peer as a publicly-funded, non-residential sixth-form college serving 16-18 year olds preparing for top universities, competing for similar parental perception and feeder-school positioning.
- Peter Symonds College: Winchester-based sixth-form college and one of the largest in England, known for academic outcomes and breadth of subject combinations. Directly comparable in mission and operating model, competing for national brand recognition in sixth-form league tables.
- Richard Collyer College: Horsham-based sixth-form college offering A-Levels and vocational pathways with a strong academic reputation. Comparable as a stand-alone, publicly-funded sixth-form targeting university progression for 16-18 year olds.
- Reigate College: Surrey-based sixth-form college consistently highly ranked for A-Level outcomes and Oxbridge progression. Directly comparable in scale, mission and positioning against Winstanley's premium academic offering.
- Barton Peveril College: Large Eastleigh-based sixth-form college in Hampshire offering A-Levels, vocational programmes and university preparation. Direct match on service mix, funding model and competitive positioning in sixth-form rankings.
- Woodhouse College: North Finchley-based sixth-form college serving 16-18 year olds with strong academic outcomes. Comparable as a stand-alone, publicly-funded sixth-form college competing on results and university progression.
- Esher College: Surrey-based sixth-form college consistently appearing in top UK sixth-form tables, offering A-Levels and BTEC vocational courses. Directly comparable institution with similar funding model and core product.
- Cardinal Newman Catholic Sixth Form College: St Albans-based faith sixth-form college providing A-Levels and vocational pathways for 16-18 year olds. Direct peer as a publicly-funded sixth-form college focused on university progression.
- Xaverian College: Manchester-based sixth-form college offering A-Levels and vocational programmes, geographically close to Winstanley in the Greater Manchester catchment. Direct competitor in the same regional feeder market for high-attaining 16-18 year olds.
- Loreto College: Manchester-based Catholic sixth-form college and member of the Maple Group alongside Winstanley, serving post-16 students across Greater Manchester. Direct competitor in the same regional market and consortium peer for shared services and league-table positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights9 records
Customer concentration
Winstanley College social profiles
Digital presenceWinstanley College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Winstanley College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Winstanley College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Winstanley College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Winstanley College 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 Winstanley College
What does Winstanley College do?
Winstanley College provides post-16 academic and vocational education for students aged 16-18, delivering A-Levels, T-Levels, GCSE resits, an Art Foundation programme, and an Extended Project Qualification. The college supplements classroom learning with the ESI Enrichment Programme (100+ activities), dedicated Oxbridge and medical/dental/veterinary pathways, library and study support services, and careers and progression guidance. Education is free for UK students aged 16-18 under government funding, with fees applied to certain ancillary services.
Is Winstanley College a public or private company?
Winstanley College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Winstanley College founded?
Winstanley College was founded in 1977. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Winstanley College based?
Winstanley College is headquartered in Wigan, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Winstanley College make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Education is the primary driver. The others are art Foundation Course.
Who are Winstanley College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hills Road Sixth Form College, Peter Symonds College, Richard Collyer College, Reigate College, Barton Peveril College, Woodhouse College, Esher College, Cardinal Newman Catholic Sixth Form College, Xaverian College and Loreto College.
Does Winstanley College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Winstanley College.
What industry is Winstanley College in?
Winstanley College's product category is Further Education / Sixth-Form College. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAABAK, College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.