Cabot Learning Federation

What Cabot Learning Federation does

Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) is a private multi-academy trust (MAT) operating 36 schools across Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Somerset in the South West of England. It serves approximately 18,000 children and young people aged 2 to 19 and employs over 3,000 staff, including 60 Specialist Leaders in Education (SLEs). The trust is jointly sponsored by Rolls-Royce PLC and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), with Sir Steve Taylor as Chief Executive and Professor Yvonne Beach as Chair of the Board.

CLF's product portfolio is organised around the CLF Institute, which delivers Five Counties SCITT (school-based initial teacher training leading to QTS and PGCE in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University), a suite of DfE-accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQML, NPQSL, NPQH, NPQEL, NPQEYL), the Boolean Maths Hub, and school improvement services covering safeguarding, SEND, curriculum, finance, HR and governance. SCITT tuition is priced at £9,790 per trainee, while NPQ courses range from £750 (NPQML/NPQEYL) to £3,950 (NPQEL). Technology infrastructure consists of the internal CLF Navigator staff portal, web-based communications, and conventional learning management systems, with no disclosed AI or proprietary platform components.

CLF generates revenue from three principal streams: (1) UK government per-pupil funding, deprivation premiums and capital allocations for its 36 academies, which is the dominant revenue base; (2) tuition fees from the SCITT programme and NPQ leadership courses; and (3) fees from school improvement and CPD services sold to other schools and MATs through the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance. The trust is funded entirely through grants, fees and statutory education funding — there are no equity funding rounds — and operates under UK charity and academy trust governance.

Name

Cabot Learning Federation

Legal name

Cabot Learning Federation

Website

https://clf.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Cabot Learning Federation is a private multi-academy trust operating 36 schools in South West England, serving 18,000 students aged 2-19. It delivers K-12 education, teacher training via SCITT, NPQ leadership qualifications, and school improvement services through the CLF Institute.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multi-Academy Trust K-12 Education Services

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Multi-academy trust education
• School-centred teacher training
• National professional qualifications
• K-12 education services
• School improvement support

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded education: Core funding from the UK Government for running schools within the MAT, including per-pupil funding, deprivation premiums, and capital funding allocations
2. Teacher Training Fees: The SCITT programme charges tuition fees for Initial Teacher Training (QTS and PGCE), with the main course fee of £9,790 covering both QTS award and PGCE with 60 Master's level credits
3. Professional Development Services: NPQ leadership courses and school improvement support services generate revenue through course fees, including NPQEL (£3,950), NPQH (£1,950), NPQSL (£1,250), and NPQML (£750)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cabot Learning Federation operates a family of 36 schools in South West England delivering K-12 education to 18,000 children and young people aged 2 to 19, alongside a professional development arm (CLF Institute) providing school-based initial teacher training (SCITT with QTS/PGCE), National Professional Qualifications for educators, and school improvement services distributed through the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance.

Product overview

Cabot Learning Federation is a Multi-Academy Trust operating as a unified platform of educational services. The core offering consists of the CLF MAT (36 schools serving 18,000 students) supported by the CLF Institute as its professional development arm. The Institute delivers the Five Counties SCITT (teacher training with QTS/PGCE), Boolean Maths Hub (maths education improvement), and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for leadership development—all coordinated through the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance. Schools within the federation also benefit from School Improvement Services. Together, these products form an integrated educational ecosystem spanning ages 2-19, from initial teacher training through school improvement support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Multi-Academy Trust A mature Multi-Academy Trust in the South West of England consisting of 36 schools, serving 18,000 children and young people aged 2 to 19, and employing over 3,000 staff across Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Somerset.
• CLF Institute

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% NPQH qualification success rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Rolls-Royce PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two CLF sponsors alongside UWE Bristol. Rolls-Royce provides global engineering expertise and practices, contributing to the trust's technical and industrial connections in Bristol, the UK and worldwide.
• University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two CLF sponsors. UWE is one of the most successful higher education institutions in the UK, providing progression pathways for CLF students and contributing to initial teacher education through PGCE partnerships.
• Venturers TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLF acts as strategic partner for Venturers Trust's Teaching School Hubs (Bristol and North Somerset Hub, and Somerset Hub). CLF leads delivery through the CLF Institute for professional development and school improvement.
• Mangotsfield Primary SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccessfully bid for South Gloucestershire and B&NES Teaching School Hub. CLF supported the bid and collaborates as part of the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance.
• Five Counties Teaching School Hubs AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance serving Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North-East Somerset. CLF Institute leads professional development delivery including ITT, ECF, NPQs, and school improvement support.
• BoomsatsumacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner15-year partnership with Digitech Studio School. Provides creative sector education and training, working alongside CLF and other partners to deliver vocational, industry-led post-16 provision in creative and digital arts.
• Bristol City Robins FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership providing post-16 educational opportunities at Digitech. The foundation supports students in achieving highly and progressing to further education or careers in the sector.
• Bristol School of ActingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative arts partner for Digitech's post-16 provision. Delivers innovative, vocational and industry-led approach providing students opportunities to develop craft, build professional skills and prepare for performing arts careers.
• Olympus Academy TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in the CLF SCITT partnership, working collaboratively to deliver school-based teacher training across the region.
• Leaf TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the CLF SCITT network, contributing to the school-based teacher training provision and helping build strong teaching teams.
• The Priory Learning TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool Direct partner collaborating with CLF SCITT to support teacher training and help schools build strong teaching teams.
• Sheffield Hallam UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGCE delivered in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, one of the UK's largest teacher training providers. SHU provides university tutors, online resources, academic support, and Master’s-level accreditation (60 credits).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CLFInstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/clf_institute
• Facebookfacebook.com/CabotLearningFederation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Cabot Learning Federation