London Grid for Learning
London Grid for Learning is a not-for-profit charity consortium of London Local Authorities providing integrated broadband, cybersecurity, safeguarding, and curriculum services to over 4,000 schools across England, anchored by its SuperCloud platform and free tools like the FSM Eligibility Checker.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What London Grid for Learning does
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is a not-for-profit charitable trust founded in 2001, structured as a consortium of London Local Authorities and registered in England as a company limited by guarantee (no. 4205579) and charity (no. 1090412). LGfL provides connectivity, cybersecurity, safeguarding, and curriculum resource services to primary and secondary schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, and Local Authorities across England, with the FSM Eligibility Checker alone used by over 4,000 schools to identify more than £232 million in Pupil Premium funding since 2014.
The company's core technology is the LGfL SuperCloud, which uniquely integrates filtered broadband connectivity with a suite of cloud services including StaffMail email, safeguarding monitoring (SafeguardED), cybersecurity layers (Elevate Toolkit, MailProtect, Sophos Intercept X, Sophos Phish Threat, Malwarebytes/ThreatDown), device management (Meraki MDM), remote access, and backup/disaster recovery. The portfolio extends into teaching and learning through learning resources, Busy Things, J2e workload/assessment tooling, the Widgit Symbol Support Portal, KCSIE Translate, Child Bereavement Toolkit, Inclusion (IncludED), the Digital Transformation Toolkit, and free training and CPD.
LGfL's business model blends subscription-based broadband and connectivity fees, transaction-fee procurement of devices and third-party software (Adobe Creative Cloud) via its SmartBuy platform, and a freemium layer of free services (FSM Checker, training, curriculum resources) funded indirectly by paying customers. There has been no broadband price increase since 2016. The organization serves schools directly through SmartBuy procurement, self-service portals for free tools, and community-driven engagement via EdTech Hubs, training events, and content marketing. Customers range from individual schools to Multi-Academy Trusts and Local Authorities, with parents and families as secondary beneficiaries of the FSM Checker.
London Grid for Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- London Grid for Learning
- Legal name
- London Grid for Learning Trust
- Website
- https://lgfl.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- London Grid for Learning is a not-for-profit charity consortium of London Local Authorities providing integrated broadband, cybersecurity, safeguarding, and curriculum services to over 4,000 schools across England, anchored by its SuperCloud platform and free tools like the FSM Eligibility Checker.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
London Grid for Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Technology Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vertical/Industry-Specific LMS (e.g., Healthcare, Safety, Aviation, Government) (EDAFAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Compliance, Certification & Continuing Education LMS (EDAFAAAD), LMS Integrations, Interoperability & Identity (LTI/SCORM/xAPI, SSO, APIs) (EDAFAAAI)
Keywords
Where London Grid for Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
London Grid for Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Broadband and Connectivity Services: Provides secure broadband connectivity to schools through subscription model. No broadband price hikes since 2016.
- Technology Products via SmartBuy: Sells devices, device management, Adobe Creative Cloud, disaster recovery, and other technology products to schools through procurement platform
- Free Services (Not-for-profit): Many services are provided free of charge including Free School Meals Checker, training, and curriculum resources, supported by the not-for-profit charitable structure
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free School Meals Checker - Free to all schools |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Training and CPD - Free |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Events and Webinars - Free |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
London Grid for Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is a not-for-profit charitable consortium of London local authorities that provides broadband connectivity, cybersecurity, safeguarding tools, curriculum resources, and professional training services to schools across England. Founded in 2001, it operates as a company limited by guarantee (registered in England no. 4205579) and a registered charity (no. 1090412).
Product overview
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is a not-for-profit charity providing a platform-plus-services model for UK schools. The core offering is the LGfL SuperCloud, which bundles secure filtered broadband connectivity with integrated cloud services including StaffMail email, safeguarding tools, and cybersecurity. LGfL's portfolio spans three main areas: Connectivity (broadband, devices, voice/SIMs through SmartBuy), Cybersecurity (Elevate Toolkit, MailProtect, Sophos, Malwarebytes, Meraki MDM, Remote Access, Adobe Creative Cloud, Backup and Disaster Recovery), and Teaching & Learning (Learning Resources, Busy Things, J2e, LSSO, Inclusion/IncludED, Digital Strategy, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Training/CPD, EdTech Hubs, Digital Transformation Toolkit). Key standalone products include the Free School Meals Eligibility Checker, SafeguardED Monitoring Service, Child Bereavement Tool Kit, KCSIE Translate, Online Safety Audit, and the Widgit Symbol Support Portal. LGfL also provides the Artificial Intelligence Policy Toolkit for safeguarding AI use in schools. All services are free or low-cost in line with LGfL's charitable mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- School Broadband Connectivity
Quantifiable outcome
- £232 million+ in FSM funding identified for schools since 2014
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use London Grid for Learning
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
London Grid for Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
London Grid for Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Widgit SymbolscoreLGfL has partnered with Widgit Symbols for over a decade to promote inclusive learning through the LGfL Widgit Symbol Collection. This partnership provides visual symbol resources to help make learning accessible for diverse learners.
- Child Bereavement UKcorePartnership to produce an award-winning Child Bereavement Toolkit and new bereavement resources specifically for SEND pupils. LGfL's Content Manager and Child Bereavement UK's Head of Education Sector Support collaborate on these resources.
- London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO)coreLGfL supports the LSSO and has developed strong relationships with it. LGfL professionally films all LSSO Barbican concerts and maintains a dedicated LSSO resource site with concert archives and educational content.
- Black Lives in MusicminorPartnership with Black Lives in Music for the LSSO Conductor in Residence placement to promote diversity in music education.
- Open Up MusicminorPartnership to pilot accessibility for young disabled musicians in orchestral music, making the LSSO more inclusive.
- Barbican CentreminorThe LSSO performs three concerts annually at the Barbican Centre in London.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
London Grid for Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Securus Technologies: Provides safeguarding, monitoring, and communication solutions primarily in the US education and correctional markets. Comparable technology category to LGfL's safeguarding portfolio but serves a different geography.
Direct peers
- Impero Software: Provider of classroom management, safeguarding, and network monitoring software for UK and global schools. Overlaps with LGfL's safeguarding, monitoring, and device-management offerings.
- NetSupport: UK provider of classroom management, IT asset management, and safeguarding tools for schools. Comparable to LGfL's device management and safeguarding suite.
- National Grid for Learning (historical) / SWGfL: South West Grid for Learning (SWGFL) — a UK regional education not-for-profit providing broadband, safeguarding, and online safety services to schools. One of the closest direct peers to LGfL, sharing the same not-for-profit, school-consortium model.
- Smoothwall: UK-based vendor specializing in web filtering, monitoring, and safeguarding solutions for schools. Directly comparable to LGfL's SafeguardED Monitoring and filtering products, serving the same UK school customer base.
- Senso: UK-based safeguarding and monitoring software vendor for schools, and a partner of LGfL on the SafeguardED service. Directly comparable as a UK school safeguarding toolset competitor/collaborator.
- Jisc: UK not-for-profit digital, data, and technology agency for higher education and research; operates Janet Network and shared services for the education sector. Highly comparable to LGfL as a UK education-sector consortium providing connectivity, shared infrastructure, and digital services — essentially LGfL's higher-education analogue.
Broad incumbents
- Capita (Education Services): Large UK public-sector outsourcer delivering education services including school IT, connectivity, and MIS support to Local Authorities. Comparable to LGfL's consortium model and Local Authority customer base.
- RM plc: Long-standing UK provider of IT hardware, software, and managed services to schools and colleges. Comparable to LGfL as a UK education-focused technology supplier, though broader in scope including devices, infrastructure, and managed networks.
Others
- LGfL-similar regional UK education grids: Regional UK education broadband and network consortia (e.g., NEN, regional LGfL equivalents in Scotland/Wales) provide analogous connectivity-for-schools services. Comparable as same-model peers, even if smaller in scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
London Grid for Learning social profiles
Digital presenceLondon Grid for Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
London Grid for Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
London Grid for Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
London Grid for Learning 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 London Grid for Learning
What does London Grid for Learning do?
London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is a not-for-profit charitable consortium of London local authorities that provides broadband connectivity, cybersecurity, safeguarding tools, curriculum resources, and professional training services to schools across England. Founded in 2001, it operates as a company limited by guarantee (registered in England no. 4205579) and a registered charity (no. 1090412).
Is London Grid for Learning a public or private company?
London Grid for Learning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was London Grid for Learning founded?
London Grid for Learning was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is London Grid for Learning based?
London Grid for Learning is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does London Grid for Learning make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Broadband and Connectivity Services are the primary driver. The others are technology Products via SmartBuy and free Services (Not-for-profit).
Who are London Grid for Learning's main competitors?
Securus Technologies is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Impero Software, NetSupport, National Grid for Learning (historical) / SWGfL, Smoothwall, Senso and Jisc. Broad incumbents are Capita (Education Services) and RM plc. LGfL-similar regional UK education grids is listed as an others.
Does London Grid for Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for London Grid for Learning.
What industry is London Grid for Learning in?
London Grid for Learning's product category is Education Technology Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAAAM, Vertical/Industry-Specific LMS (e.g., Healthcare, Safety, Aviation, Government), with a secondary code of EDAFAAAD, Compliance, Certification & Continuing Education LMS. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.