Odils Learning Foundation

What Odils Learning Foundation does

Odils Learning Foundation (legal name: Open Doors International Language School) is a UK-registered charity founded in 2001 in Plymouth by Cassie Roberts and Russell Roberts, delivering English-language and skills education primarily to refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants across Devon. The organisation holds Charity Number 1092728 and Company Number 04301430, and serves learners from 46+ nationalities through ESOL, Functional Skills, and Multiply programmes, alongside fee-paying professional courses including Cert TESOL teacher training, IELTS preparation, and SELT preparation.

Its product set spans publicly-funded adult education, professional teacher credentials, and test-preparation services, delivered via a combination of in-person centres (Plymouth headquarters and an Exeter satellite) and online classes run over Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The foundation operates under a stack of accreditations - British Council, Ofsted, Trinity, NOCN, Ascentis, and Matrix - which collectively authorise it to deliver publicly-commissioned courses and to certify teachers. It also offers consulting services to external organisations.

The revenue model blends three streams: government grants via the Skills Funding Agency for ESOL, Functional Skills, and Multiply courses; learner fees capped at £320 per year for core programmes; and fee-paying professional training at £395 per course for IELTS, SELT, and TESOL offerings. The foundation is embedded in a network of 20+ local councils and refugee-support organisations, including the Plymouth Resettlement Partnership, and operates with a headcount of 11-50 employees.

Name

Odils Learning Foundation

Legal name

Open Doors International Language School

Website

https://odils.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Odils Learning Foundation is a Plymouth-based UK charity delivering ESOL, Functional Skills, and teacher-training programmes primarily for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants across Devon, via in-person centres and online classes, funded through government grants and course fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult English Language Education (ESOL)

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB), ESL Literacy & Foundational English (Pre-beginner/Alphabetics) (EDAAACAB), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

Keywords

• ESOL language education
• Refugee integration services
• TESOL teacher training
• Employability mentoring
• Language school consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Skills Funding Agency): ESOL, Functional Skills, and Multiply courses funded through Skills Funding Agency (SFA). Government pays 100% for refugees and EU/EEA citizens with settled status. Asylum seekers receive 50% government funding.
2. Course Fees: Student fees for non-fully-funded learners. Fees invoiced at time of enrollment or during academic year. Maximum fee of £320 per school year for eligible students. Refund of £4.50 per lesson for classes taught by trainee teachers.
3. Professional Training Courses: Cert TESOL (Level 5), Teacher Training Foundation Course, and IELTS Preparation courses generate revenue. IELTS Preparation: £395 for 30 hours. Teacher Training Foundation: £395.
4. Consulting Services: Language school support and business consulting services for organizations wanting to start or improve language schools or businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Odils Learning Foundation is a UK charity delivering accredited English language education (ESOL) to refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and international students through day, evening, and women's classes with creche support, plus specialist exam prep (IELTS, SELT, UK integration), professional TESOL training, employability mentoring, and resettlement support programmes. Services are delivered in-person at Plymouth and Exeter and online via Zoom/Microsoft Teams, funded through government grants, learner fees, and commercial course fees.

Product overview

Odils Learning Foundation offers a comprehensive suite of English language education and professional training services. The core offering is ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) education delivered through multiple formats: Day Classes, Evening Classes, and Women's and Children's Classes with integrated creche support. The organization provides specialized add-on programs including IELTS and SELT exam preparation, English for Specific Purposes (medicine, business, engineering, maritime, hospitality sectors), and Summer School courses. Professional development offerings include Cert TESOL and Teacher Training Foundation courses accredited by Trinity College London. Additional services encompass Language School Consulting, Business Support Consulting, Aish Conversation Clubs, Plymouth Resettlement Support Services (PRSS), and Employability and Skills Development programs. All courses are designed primarily for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the Plymouth and Devon area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Language Education (ESOL) Core English language education programme for speakers of other languages, covering reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, British values and culture, delivered through day, evening, and women's/children's classes for refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and other adult learners.
• English Day Classes Daytime English language classes held on Mondays and Tuesdays or Wednesdays and Thursdays, providing approximately 4 hours of weekly instruction with morning (09:30-12:45) and afternoon (13:15-14:30) sessions for adult learners aged 19 and over.
• English Evening Classes Evening English classes held on Monday and Tuesday evenings (18:45-20:45) for people working in the UK who want to improve their English language skills.
• Women's and Children's English Classes with Crèche Women-only English classes with on-site creche support for children under 4 years old, held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 6 hours weekly at the Catherine Street Centre.
• English for Specific Purposes Short, focused non-accredited English language training courses for specialist sectors including medicine, business, engineering, accountancy, maritime, construction, and hospitality.
• IELTS Preparation Course Online exam preparation course for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a 5-week course costing £395 for 30 hours, providing a thorough overview of all skills tested with practical exam tips.
• SELT Preparation Course Preparation course for the Secure English Language Test (SELT) required for UK visa and immigration purposes.
• Cert TESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Accredited Level 5 Certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a 6-month part-time online course of 130 hours including 6 hours of observed teaching practice, accredited by Trinity College London.
• Teacher Training Foundation Course 5-week online introductory course providing essential knowledge, skills, and confidence for English language teaching, costing £395 with 30 hours of guided learning delivered over 10 Zoom sessions.
• Language School Consulting Services Consulting services for starting and supporting language schools, including curriculum support, marketing strategies, exam advice, bespoke teacher training, and community development resources.
• Business Support Consulting Business consulting services for individuals and communities focusing on marketplace identification, operations, community engagement, and contract management.
• Plymouth Resettlement Support Services (PRSS) Partnership service delivered with the Plymouth Resettlement Partnership providing employment mentoring, integration support, and ESOL with creche for refugees, resettled families, Ukraine guests, family reunion arrivals, and humanitarian protection recipients.
• Employability and Skills Development Employment support services including CV writing, job application assistance, interview practice, UK employment culture guidance, and access to training courses for refugees and migrants.
• UK Integration Exam Preparation Exam preparation services for UK integration tests required for citizenship and settlement applications.
• Summer School Courses Intensive English language courses offered during summer months for students seeking accelerated learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 52 people supported into paid employment through PRO pilot
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Plymouth City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing statutory oversight and public funding for ESOL courses.
• Devon County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner for Devon region services.
• Cornwall CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council partner for services across Cornwall.
• South Hams District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partner for South Hams district services.
• University of PlymouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partnership providing pathways for students and collaboration in education delivery.
• Trinity College LondoncoreTechnology or IntegrationExam board accreditation for Level 5 and Level 7 Teacher Training Qualifications (Cert TESOL).
• NOCNcoreTechnology or IntegrationExam board accreditation for teaching English as a Second Language, Functional Skills English and Maths, and Community Interpreters Qualifications.
• AscentiscoreTechnology or IntegrationExam board accreditation for teaching English as a Second Language, Functional Skills English and Maths, and Community Interpreters Qualifications.
• Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing support for individuals in the asylum system, immigration advice, and community activities. Regular referral partner.
• START (Students and Refugees Together)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing housing, benefits, access to health, and community activities for refugees. PRO programme partner.
• PATH DevoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing housing, move on and tenancy support for refugees.
• Plymouth HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner offering free sports sessions to people in Plymouth.
• Plymouth Octopus (POP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.
• Shekinah MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization providing support services.
• Citizens Advice PlymouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing advice services to students.
• British Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing emergency food parcels, clothes, baby items, and family reunification services. COVID-19 entertainment packs distribution partner.
• PDREC (Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing community engagement, awareness raising, benefits support, and community activities.
• Horizons SailingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.
• Discovery CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner institution.
• On Course SouthwestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner organization.
• Marjon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner institution.
• Redeemer ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 entertainment packs partner during pandemic support.
• HOPE FootballminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 support partner providing mentoring support for asylum seeker families.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Citizens Advice Plymouth: Local Plymouth charity providing advice and integration support, and an existing partner of Odils. Comparable beneficiary overlap in Plymouth, with adjacent rather than direct language-teaching services.

Broad incumbents

• International House London: Long-established British Council accredited English language school offering general English, IELTS, SELT, and CELTA/DELTA teacher training in the UK. Comparable to Odils on accreditation, teacher training, and exam prep offerings, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader course mix.
• British Red Cross: Large UK charity providing refugee support, family reunion, and integration services including language and employability support. Already a partner of Odils, making it comparable on beneficiary profile, geographic overlap, and integration outcomes focus.
• Learn English (Home Office / DLUHC-funded providers): Publicly funded ESOL/ESL provision accessible to asylum seekers and refugees across the UK. Comparable beneficiary base and Skills Funding Agency funding stream to Odils, but operates as a broader umbrella of providers rather than a single charity.

Direct peers

• Refugee Council: National UK charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers with advice, advocacy, and integration services including English language support. Comparable to Odils in mission, refugee/asylum seeker focus, and partnership-led delivery, though Refugee Council operates at national scale rather than regionally.
• Refugee Action: UK charity offering advice, integration, and English language support for refugees and asylum seekers. Comparable mission and beneficiary base to Odils, with national reach and similar government/local-authority funding mix.
• Regent Language Training (Regent Group): British Council accredited UK-based English language school offering general English, IELTS, SELT, and teacher training across multiple sites. Closely comparable to Odils in accreditation, exam preparation, and TESOL product offering, though for-profit and broader commercial scale.
• Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS): Regional charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees across Devon with advice and integration. Comparable beneficiary focus, geography, and partnership profile to Odils; a regular referral partner within the same ecosystem.
• Bell English (Bell Educational Trust): UK-based charitable educational trust delivering English language courses and teacher training (CertTESOL, CELTA) with British Council accreditation. Closely comparable in charitable status, accreditation stack, and TESOL product set, though Bell operates across multiple UK sites and internationally.

Others

• Trinity College London (CertTESOL): Exam board accrediting Odils' Level 5 and Level 7 TESOL qualifications. Comparable as the enabling accreditation body for the same teacher-training product Odils sells, but not a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ODILSPlymouth
• Facebookfacebook.com/Opendoorsinternationallanguageschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-doors-international-language-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/terms/unblock/?next=/odilsplymouth

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Odils Learning Foundation