What Shireland Collegiate Academy does

Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust is a charitable multi-academy trust headquartered on Waterloo Road, Smethwick (B66 4ND), operating 14 educational settings across the Black Country in the West Midlands. Its portfolio spans two nurseries, seven primary academies and five secondary academies, including specialist provisions such as Shireland Biomedical UTC (joined 2022), Shireland CBSO Academy (opened 2023 as the first state school in the country established in partnership with a professional orchestra), and the two Technology Primaries (Smethwick and Wednesfield). The trust was founded in 2007 as Shireland Collegiate Academy, became a single academy trust in 2011, and converted to a multi-academy trust in 2017 with the addition of Holyhead Primary Academy and Thorns Collegiate Academy. It is led by Sir Mark Grundy, who has served as CEO since 2007, and is governed by a board chaired by Michael Conway Jones.

The trust's core product is state-funded education for children aged 3–18, delivered through proprietary curriculum frameworks: Literacy for Life (L4L), a cross-subject thematic approach for secondary schools, and the E3L (Excite, Explore, Excel) framework for primaries, both supported by an Inclusive Attendance Framework. Its technology stack is built on Microsoft 365 and a "PedTech" (pedagogy-first) philosophy, with the trust holding Microsoft Showcase School status and being the only UK Multi-Academy Trust with Microsoft Global Training Partner status. Supplementary products include Shireland Training (CPD and Microsoft-certified training delivered at the Oldbury Training Centre or remotely), a traded HR service covering around 40 external schools, and facility hire (sports halls, classrooms, dance studios) across the trust's estate via the School Hire platform.

The business model is non-profit and government-funded. Core revenue is ESFA grant income allocated per pupil, supplemented by traded income from Shireland Training, traded HR, and facility hire. The trust operates entirely within the West Midlands with no global footprint claim, and its geographic reach is concentrated across Smethwick, West Bromwich, Brierley Hill, Oldbury, Wednesbury, Wednesfield, Halesowen, Coseley and Tipton.

Name

Shireland Collegiate Academy

Legal name

Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust

Website

https://www.shirelandcat.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust operating 14 nurseries, primary and secondary academies across the Black Country in the West Midlands, delivering state-funded education to children and families through technology-enabled curricula (Microsoft 365, Literacy for Life, E3L).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education (Multi-Academy Trust)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• State secondary education
• Multi-academy trust
• Primary school education
• Teacher training services
• School facility hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Smethwick

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Multi-academy trust receives government funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to provide education services. Funding is based on pupil numbers and covers the operational costs of running academies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust delivering state-funded primary, secondary and post-16 education through a network of 14 academies across the Black Country. Its core service is curriculum delivery, pastoral care and enrichment for pupils, supplemented by traded professional development (Shireland Training) and venue hire at its Oldbury training centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shireland Training: Professional development and training services for schools and educators, operating as a Microsoft Global Training Partner
• Shireland Training Centre
• First Steps Nursery
• Tinywoods Nursery and Preschool

Products and services

• Primary Education across the trust's primary academies and nurseries State-funded nursery and primary education for children aged 3-11 delivered through 2 nurseries and 7 primary academies within the trust, including specialist technology primaries.
• Secondary Education across the trust's secondary academies State-funded secondary education for ages 11-16 across 5 secondary academies including specialist provision in biomedical science, music and technology.
• Shireland Collegiate Academy Sixth Form (Post-16 Education) A-Level and equivalent post-16 education at Shireland Collegiate Academy Sixth Form, preparing students for higher education and career pathways.
• Shireland Training (CPD and Microsoft-accredited training) Professional development and training for educators and partner schools delivered at the Oldbury training centre, remotely, or as bespoke packages, including Microsoft-accredited courses.
• Facility Hire via School Hire platform Hire of sports halls, pitches, classrooms, lecture halls and dance studios at trust sites to community groups, clubs and local organisations.
• Traded HR Service to external schools HR advice, support and Safer Recruitment in Education training sold by the trust to around 40 schools outside the trust.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tameside Primary Academy achieved Good with Outstanding elements from Ofsted under new leadership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Shireland CBSO Academy is the first state school in the country established in partnership with a professional orchestra. This unique partnership offers students unparalleled opportunities to engage with world of music through direct access to professional musicians, workshops, and live performances. The collaboration nurtures passion for music, develops performance skills, and inspires creativity across all subjects.
• City of Birmingham RocketscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Innovative basketball training programme for sixth form students including structured practice sessions, strength and conditioning training, video analysis, and workshops on leadership, nutrition, and mental wellbeing. Students gain competitive experience through weekly games. The academy became a Rockets Basketball Hub in 2023.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationShireland Collegiate Academy is a proud Microsoft Showcase School where technology meets creativity. Students benefit from access to latest Microsoft tools and platforms including Microsoft Teams, equipping them with essential digital skills. The trust is the only Multi-Academy Trust in the UK with Microsoft Global Training Partner status, combining real classroom expertise with practical, technology-focused approaches.
• Birmingham Hippodrome Education NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership brings theatre, dance, and performance right into schools through engaging workshops and exclusive opportunities to work with industry professionals. Students explore creative potential and build confidence in communication and teamwork through this collaboration with one of the UK's leading theatres.
• Hodder EducationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationStudents benefit from access to high-quality learning resources and materials including latest textbooks, revision guides, and digital resources tailored to curriculum. Partnership helps create learning environment where every student can thrive and achieve their full potential.
• Birmingham City UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShireland Biomedical UTC's partnership provides students with exceptional opportunities to deepen knowledge and skills in biomedical sciences and healthcare. Through access to expert lecturers, state-of-the-art facilities, and hands-on projects, students gain real-world experience preparing them for future careers in medical and scientific fields.
• Now Press PlaysupportingTechnology or IntegrationShireland Technology Primary is recognised as a flagship school by Now Press Play, an innovative educational technology provider transforming learning through immersive audio experiences. Using wireless headphones, students embark on captivating 'Audio Adventures' bringing curriculum to life.
• Shireland Training CentrecoreOthersThe trust operates its own training centre in Oldbury offering professional development for educators. As the only UK Multi-Academy Trust with Microsoft Global Training Partner status, they deliver training programmes at the centre, remotely, and through bespoke packages for other schools and organisations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oasis Community Learning: One of the UK's largest multi-academy trusts operating primary and secondary academies across multiple regions. Directly comparable to Shireland CAT as a charitable MAT running a portfolio of state-funded schools with similar funding model, governance, and central services.
• Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): Large UK multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies with a focus on school improvement and EdTech adoption. Comparable in scale, academy-onboarding model, and central-curriculum approach.
• Harris Federation: Multi-academy trust operating dozens of primary and secondary schools in London and surrounding regions. Closely comparable in MAT structure, EdTech integration, and ambition to scale educational IP across portfolio.
• United Learning: Charitable MAT running both state-funded academies and independent schools across England. Comparable for its mix of educational phases, professional development arm, and broad curriculum portfolio approach.
• Ark Schools: Multi-academy trust running primary, secondary and sixth-form academies with a strong central curriculum and EdTech focus. Comparable for central-curriculum-and-professional-development model and academy improvement playbook.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Large UK MAT operating a network of primary and secondary academies with a documented school-improvement methodology. Comparable in its focus on turning around underperforming schools through a centralised trust model.
• Star Academies: Multi-academy trust with a portfolio of primary and secondary schools, including specialist provisions. Comparable in operating specialist academies and in leveraging partnerships to enhance curriculum differentiation.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: One of the largest UK primary-focused multi-academy trusts. Comparable in primary-academy-heavy portfolio, central services, and ongoing onboarding of additional schools into the trust.
• L.E.A.D. Academy Trust: Multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies across the East Midlands and beyond. Comparable in academy onboarding model, curriculum centralisation, and teacher-development focus.

Regional players

• Greenwood Academies Trust: East Midlands-based MAT running a portfolio of primary and secondary academies. Comparable in trust structure and academy onboarding model, but operates in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shireland-collegiate-academy-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries14 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 Shireland Collegiate Academy