What Services For Education does

Services For Education (SFE) is a Birmingham-based educational charity, constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered charity (No. 1148848), that has operated independently from Birmingham City Council since 2012 under Chief Executive Sharon Bell. The organisation delivers two integrated service lines to schools in Birmingham and the West Midlands: a School Support Services division offering teacher continuing professional development (CPD), statutory assessment and moderation support, specialist advisory services in English, mathematics, safeguarding, PSHE/RSE, and SEND, mental health and wellbeing training, National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and a Health For Life primary-school lifestyle programme; and a Music Service providing instrumental and vocal tuition, Whole Class Instrumental Teaching (WCIT), central ensembles, and large-scale showcase events such as Birmingham Youth Proms. SFE also runs a tiered safeguarding subscription membership for schools and trusts.

SFE makes money through a mix of recurring and transactional channels. Recurring revenue is anchored by annual safeguarding subscriptions sold in 1-, 10-, and 20-licence tiers at £499-£999, music service-level agreements with schools, and grant funding from Arts Council England as a condition of the 2024 Birmingham Music Hub Lead mandate. Transactional revenue comes from one-off CPD course fees, bespoke consultancy packages, statutory assessment moderation services, and paid digital resources. Distribution is direct to schools, either in-person at SFE training centres and partner venues, in-school via field delivery, or online through Microsoft Teams-based live and pre-recorded CPD, supported by a marketing mix of content marketing, social media, email newsletters, and earned media. Partnerships with Teach First (NPQs), Best Practice Network (Early Career Framework), Anna Freud Centre, Optimus Education, and the University of Birmingham extend delivery capacity and research reach.

The technology stack is operational rather than differentiated: Microsoft Teams for live streaming, Charanga and SharePoint for music curriculum delivery, Mailchimp for email, and Google Analytics and HotJar for web analytics. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, no proprietary software product, and no consumer-facing application. The SFE platform is a content, training, and membership delivery engine layered over standard SaaS tools, with strategic value derived from the Hub Lead mandate, the registered "Health For Life" trademark, sector awards, and long-tenured teaching talent rather than from underlying technology.

Name

Services For Education

Legal name

Services For Education Limited

Website

https://servicesforeducation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Services For Education is a Birmingham-based educational charity providing teacher CPD, statutory assessment support, safeguarding subscriptions, and music tuition to schools and multi-academy trusts across Birmingham and the West Midlands, holding the citywide Music Hub Lead mandate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Services and Teacher Professional Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performance Coaching & Competition Preparation (Auditions, Recitals) (EDAMANAL)

Keywords

• Teacher CPD training
• Music education services
• Safeguarding training schools
• Statutory assessment moderation
• School improvement consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Safeguarding Subscriptions: Annual subscription-based membership providing access to safeguarding resources and compliance materials for schools. Sold in tiered packages of 1, 10, or 20 licences.
2. CPD Courses and Training: One-time and recurring fees for professional development courses for teachers, including statutory assessment training, English, mathematics interventions, and other subject-specific CPD.
3. Music Services: Music tuition in schools, including Whole Class Instrumental Teaching (WCIT), individual instrumental lessons, and ensemble activities. Charged per student or as part of service level agreements with schools.
4. Bespoke Consultancy Services: Tailored advisory and consultancy services provided directly to schools, trusts, and settings for school improvement, safeguarding audits, and specialist support.
5. Donations: Charitable donations accepted through their affiliated charity (SFE Charity) to support music education and access programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Services For Education is a Birmingham-based education charity that delivers teacher continuing professional development (CPD) courses, specialist advisory/consultancy services, school music tuition and ensembles, and safeguarding training and subscription resources directly to schools, multi-academy trusts and educational settings. Offerings are delivered through in-school bespoke training, centre-based courses, live online sessions via Microsoft Teams, and an annual safeguarding subscription membership. It is the appointed Music Hub Lead for Birmingham and operates flagship music events such as the Birmingham Youth Proms.

Product overview

Services For Education is a Birmingham-based education charity offering a broad portfolio of services primarily organised into two divisions: School Support Services and a Music Service. School Support Services provides Teacher CPD courses, Specialist Advisory Services across core curriculum subjects (English, Mathematics, Safeguarding, PSHE/RSE, SEND), Statutory Assessment and Moderation support, National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), Mental Health & Wellbeing services, and the Health For Life programme. The Music Service delivers instrumental and vocal tuition, Whole Class Instrumental Teaching (WCIT), Central Ensembles, and organises the annual Birmingham Youth Proms. Additional offerings include a Safeguarding Subscription membership service, Online Learning/CPD resources, and the Birmingham Inclusive Choir. Services are delivered through face-to-face training, live online streaming (via Microsoft Teams), in-school consultancy, and pre-recorded digital content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Health For Life: A programme improving healthy opportunities for primary aged children through cooking and fitness activities.
• Make Music Possible Programme

Products and services

• Teacher CPD Courses Continuing Professional Development courses for teachers covering safeguarding, English, mathematics, PSHE/RSE, mental health and other subjects, delivered face-to-face at SFE centres and via live online sessions. Aimed at primary and secondary school staff in Birmingham and the West Midlands and beyond.
• Music Service / Music Tuition in Schools Comprehensive music education service for Birmingham schools providing instrumental and vocal tuition, Whole Class Instrumental Teaching (WCIT), elective lessons, access to central ensembles, and performance events. Delivered in schools under service level agreements.
• Make Music Possible Programme Music education programme launched in 2025 to expand music opportunities for Birmingham school children through the Music Service. Aimed at schools and pupils in the West Midlands.
• Safeguarding Services Safeguarding training, audits and consultancy for schools, trusts and educational settings, including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training, Safer Recruitment training, and the safeguarding subscription membership service. Aimed at school DSLs, headteachers and trust safeguarding leads.
• Safeguarding Subscription Membership Annual subscription membership providing member schools and trusts with access to safeguarding resources, compliance materials and Advantage Package vouchers, priced at £499 (1 licence), £699 (10 licences) or £999 (20 licences) for 365-day periods. Aimed at schools and MATs needing continuous safeguarding compliance support.
• Statutory Assessment Services Assessment and moderation support for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 covering KS2 Writing Moderation, KS2 SATs monitoring and primary assessment consultancy. Aimed at primary schools needing external moderation and assessment expertise.
• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) Nationally recognised professional qualifications for teachers and school leaders including NPQSL (Senior Leadership) and NPQ SENCO, delivered in partnership with Teach First. Aimed at senior leaders and SENCOs in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
• Specialist Advisory Services Expert advisory and consultancy services across curriculum areas including English, mathematics, SEND and broader school improvement, delivered as bespoke in-school packages scoped to school needs. Aimed at primary and secondary schools and MATs.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Training and support for mental health awareness in schools including Mental Health at Work training and partnerships with organisations such as the Anna Freud Centre. Aimed at school staff, SENCOs and wellbeing leads.
• Health For Life Programme Registered trademark programme promoting healthy lifestyles for primary school children, including cookery lessons, outdoor fitness areas and food education, with high-profile cookathon events such as the Health For Life Cookathon with Poppy Cooks. Aimed at primary schools and their pupils.
• PSHE and RSE Courses PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) training and resources for schools, supporting the delivery of statutory RSHE curriculum. Aimed at primary and secondary schools.
• Central Ensembles and Inclusive Choir Birmingham-based music ensembles and choirs, including the Inclusive Choir for adults and young people with disabilities, providing performance opportunities and public concerts. Aimed at young musicians and adult participants across the West Midlands.
• Online Learning and CPD Digital training content and pre-recorded CPD resources delivered online via Microsoft Teams and the SFE website, available for individual purchase or as part of subscription membership. Aimed at teachers unable to attend centre-based CPD.
• Whole Class Instrumental Teaching (WCIT) Three-year music education programme providing whole class instrumental teaching of 45-minute sessions for Year 4 students and elective teaching for Years 5-6, covering 36 weeks per academic year with instruments provided by SFE. Delivered in Birmingham schools.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Teach FirstcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Strategic partnership for the delivery of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). SFE and Teach First have partnered to provide NPQSL and NPQ SENCO qualifications, supporting senior leaders in education through professional qualification pathways.
• Best Practice NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Early Career Framework (ECF), supporting new teachers in their professional development. SFE advisers work with Best Practice Network to provide ECF training and support for early career teachers.
• University of BirminghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with colleagues from the University of Birmingham focusing on FGM awareness within communities. SFE adviser Jo Perrin is collaborating on this research project.
• Anna Freud CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiz Bates works as a schools' engagement trainer for the Anna Freud Centre, supporting mental health and wellbeing education in schools through this partnership.
• Optimus EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiz Bates serves as a Wellbeing Award advisor for Optimus Education, supporting schools in achieving wellbeing recognition through this partnership.
• Birmingham City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFE works with Birmingham City Council's Education Legal Intervention Team providing statutory support and advice to schools relating to school absence, legal processes and related early help. Edwina Langley serves as Lead Attendance Officer.
• Safer Recruitment ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFE adheres to guidance issued by the Safer Recruitment Consortium for staff recruitment in regulated activity, in compliance with KCSiE 2025 requirements.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Sing Up: UK music education charity providing singing resources, training, and CPD to primary schools. Partial overlap with SFE's vocal tuition, ensemble, and CPD offerings, focused on a narrower singing-specific niche.
• Anna Freud Centre: UK mental health charity with a schools division delivering training and resources to educators. Named SFE partner (Liz Bates engagement trainer), and directly comparable on the mental health & wellbeing training and CPD side of SFE's portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Youth Music: National UK charity funding and advocating for music education for children and young people. Overlaps with SFE in mission and Arts Council-funded ecosystem, but operates as a funder/grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• Teach First: Major national teacher development charity and SFE's NPQSL/NPQ SENCO delivery partner. Overlapping scope in CPD and teacher leadership qualifications, but operates at national scale and across the full teacher pipeline rather than a Birmingham-anchored hub.
• The Key for School Leaders: National subscription service providing school leaders with safeguarding, compliance, and CPD guidance. Direct overlap with SFE's safeguarding subscription and CPD portfolio, but at much larger scale across all English schools and MATs.

Direct peers

• Optimus Education: UK education services provider offering wellbeing awards, safeguarding support, and CPD to schools. Named as an SFE partner (Liz Bates as Wellbeing Award advisor), and is a comparable subscription-style service business targeting the same school buyer.
• Best Practice Network: UK-based teacher training and CPD provider that partners with SFE on the Early Career Framework. Directly comparable as an education charity delivering CPD, NPQs, and school improvement programmes to schools and MATs across England.
• Essex Music Education Hub: Lead organisation for the Essex Music Education Hub, delivering whole-class instrumental teaching, ensembles, and progression routes across a county footprint. Operates the same Music Hub model as SFE in Birmingham, making it a direct regional peer.
• Hampshire Music Service: Another UK local-authority-aligned music education service delivering instrumental tuition, WCIT, and ensembles to schools in a defined region. Closest functional peer to SFE's Music Service division in terms of delivery model and customer base.

Others

• Music Mark: UK subject association for music education and the national network for Music Education Hubs. Not a commercial peer, but the closest ecosystem-level reference point for SFE's role as Birmingham Music Hub Lead and a useful comparable for hub-level operating models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SFE_Tweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/servicesforeducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/services-for-education

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Services For Education