Westholme School

What Westholme School does

Westholme School is an independent co-educational day school in Pleasington, Lancashire, operating on a single Meins Road campus (Wilmar Lodge, BB2 6QU) and serving pupils aged 3-18 across four phases: Pre-Prep (ages 3-4, launching September 2026), Prep (ages 4-11), Senior (ages 11-16, GCSE) and INSPIRED Sixth Form (ages 16-18, A Level). Founded in 1923 by Miss Emily Singleton and Miss Ivy Richmond and celebrating its centenary in 2023, the school was sold to parents in 1967 and is now governed by a Board of Governors with any annual surplus reinvested into improvements and bursaries. It is positioned as Lancashire's highest-achieving school, offering academic study alongside performing arts (Croston Theatre, recording studio), sport (swimming pool, AstroTurf, sports hall) and enrichment programmes including British Sign Language qualifications and Oxbridge preparation.

The core 'product' is the seamless educational journey from age 3 to 18, supported by world-class facilities (theatre, swimming pool, science laboratories, 3D CAD technology, photography infinity wall) and a structured co-curricular programme covering academic societies, performing arts, sport, community action, enterprise and creative arts. Operational technology is limited to standard school software: an Applicaa online admissions/registration system, a Firefly parent portal, and a public website with news and blog content; there is no proprietary AI or platform technology. The teaching stack is qualified staff across traditional academic subjects, performing arts, sport, and selected technology disciplines.

The revenue model is dominated by recurring tuition fees, reviewed annually by the Board of Governors, supplemented by subscription-style transport services (11 dedicated coach routes plus a proposed W12 route for Kirkham), before- and after-school care, and one-time facility hire to local sports teams and performing arts organisations during evenings, weekends and school holidays. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer: private visits, open evenings, taster days, discovery days, special events (e.g. the Celia Imrie literary event) and online enquiry capture route families into a guided admissions process. Distribution is purely regional, serving the North-West of England, with no disclosed international footprint, no M&A activity, and no external funding rounds.

Name

Westholme School

Legal name

Westholme School

Website

https://westholmeschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Westholme School is an independent co-educational day school in Pleasington, Lancashire, serving pupils aged 3-18 across Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and INSPIRED Sixth Form phases on a single Meins Road campus, funded primarily through termly tuition fees with ancillary transport, care and facility-hire streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursery School Programs (2–4 Years) (EDACACAB), Enrichment-Focused Before/After Care (Arts, STEM, Language) (EDACAHAI), Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Independent day school
• Preparatory education
• Secondary education
• Sixth form college
• Performing arts programme

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackburn

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Fees and charges reviewed annually by the Board of Governors. Any annual surplus returned to school to finance improvements and bursaries. School aims to remain outstanding and accessible.
2. Facility Hire: Facilities hired to local sports teams, associations and performing arts organisations during evenings, weekends and school holidays. Free parking available for cars, buses and coaches.
3. After School Care: Before School Care and After School Care services available for professional parents with extended working days.
4. Transport Services: 11 dedicated coach routes helping pupils travel safely and conveniently to and from School. Additional potential W12 route for Kirkham area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Westholme School is an independent co-educational day school in Pleasington, Lancashire, providing a seamless educational journey for students aged 3-18 across four phases: Pre-Prep (ages 3-4, launching September 2026), Prep School (ages 3-11), Senior School (ages 11-16), and INSPIRED Sixth Form (ages 16-18). The school combines academic education with an extensive co-curricular programme in performing arts, sports, careers, and enrichment, supported by world-class facilities including a Croston Theatre, swimming pool, recording studio, and 3D CAD labs.

Product overview

Westholme School is an independent co-educational day school offering a seamless educational journey from ages 3-18 across four distinct phases: Pre-Prep (ages 3-4), Prep School (ages 3-11), Senior School (ages 11-16), and INSPIRED Sixth Form (ages 16-18). The school provides world-class academic education complemented by extensive co-curricular programmes in performing arts, sports, and enrichment activities. Key programmes include the Pre-Prep for early years, the Prep School with specialist teaching and Williams Wood outdoor learning, Senior School with GCSE options, and the INSPIRED Sixth Form offering A Levels with award-winning careers support. Additional offerings include co-curricular activities, the careers programme, performing arts, and sports programmes, with facilities also available for hire to the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• INSPIRED Sixth Form: The school's sixth form provision that prepares students for their next step into the world with academic rigour and personalised learning
• Pre-Prep
• Prep
• Seniors

Products and services

• Pre-Prep Independent Pre-Prep programme for children aged 3-4 acting as a bridge between Nursery and Prep Reception, featuring purposeful play, specialist-led phonics, mathematics, sport, outdoor learning, swimming, and creative arts with small class sizes.
• Prep School Independent Prep School for pupils aged 3-11 offering a bespoke curriculum with specialist teaching in Sport, Drama, Languages, Music and Technology, emphasising co-curricular activities, outdoor learning at Williams Wood, and 21st century essential skills development.
• Senior School Independent Senior School for pupils aged 11-16 offering GCSE options in English, Maths, Sciences, Languages, Humanities, and Creative Arts, with focus on 21st century essential skills alongside academic excellence.
• INSPIRED Sixth Form Independent Sixth Form for students aged 16-18 offering A Level options across academic and vocational subjects, featuring personalised learning, enrichment programmes, the award-winning careers programme, Oxbridge preparation, and the INSPIRED Diploma.
• Facilities Hire School facilities available for hire to local sports teams, associations, and performing arts organisations during evenings, weekends, and school holidays, including swimming pool, sports hall, theatre, and AstroTurf pitch with free parking.
• Before and After School Care Before School Care and After School Care services for professional parents with extended working days, providing supervised care for pupils outside standard school hours.
• Summer Football Camp Summer Football Camp priced at £35 per day, led by Charlie Jackson, UEFA-qualified coach and Founder of Matrix Soccer Academy, for boys and girls aged 5-17.

Quantifiable outcome

• ISI Inspection: Students form excellent relationships with their teachers who are generous of their time to provide support and guidance.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Thomas FranksminorOthersCatering company providing freshly prepared meals in school kitchens. Menus developed to be nutritionally balanced, rotating on a 3 week cycle. Partnership supports healthy eating education embedded throughout pupils' education with nutrition workshops.
• Matrix Soccer AcademyminorOthersLed by Charlie Jackson, UEFA-qualified coach and Founder of Matrix Soccer Academy. Provides expert coaching for Summer Football Camp at Westholme for boys and girls aged 5-17.
• Deafway PrestonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestholme Sixth Form students work alongside professionals at Deafway Preston for British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Qualification. Deafway provides residential care for deaf people with additional needs and training for hearing individuals.
• Russell Group Universities (Oxford, Manchester, Durham, Liverpool)coreOthersStrong links with top universities. Students regularly gain entry to Russell Group Universities. Universities participate in Apprenticeship and University conventions at school.
• Degree Apprenticeship Employers (BBC, Jaguar Land Rover, KPMG, Civil Service, Sellafield, ARUP)coreOthersStudents have secured level 6 apprenticeships at leading companies. Employers participate in bi-annual Apprenticeships and Universities conventions and Careers Convention.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sedbergh School: Independent co-educational boarding and day school in Cumbria with linked preparatory school. Comparable heritage and competes for the same North-West and Cumbrian families.
• Rossall School: Independent co-educational day and boarding school on the Lancashire Fylde Coast offering Pre-Prep through Sixth Form. Competes for families in the same Lancashire and North-West catchment.
• Kirkham Grammar School: Independent co-educational day school in Lancashire with Junior, Senior and Sixth Form phases. Direct regional competitor in the same Lancashire market as Westholme.
• Bolton School: Large independent day school in Greater Manchester/Lancashire offering Pre-School through Sixth Form with mixed boarding. Closest comparable multi-phase independent school competing for the same North-West fee-paying families.
• Windermere School: Independent co-educational day and boarding school in the Lake District offering nursery through sixth form. Overlaps with Westholme's North-West catchment and full-age-range offering.
• Giggleswick School: Independent co-educational boarding and day school in the Yorkshire Dales/Lancashire border offering Junior, Senior and Sixth Form phases. Comparable multi-phase structure and North England catchment.
• Lancaster Royal Grammar School: Independent co-educational school in Lancaster with Junior School and Senior School including Sixth Form. Direct geographic and structural competitor for Lancashire families.
• Bury Grammar School: Independent day school in Greater Manchester with Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form phases. Directly comparable multi-phase structure and regional catchment overlap with Westholme.
• Stonyhurst College: Catholic independent co-educational boarding and day school in Lancashire with linked preparatory school. Comparable heritage (centuries old) and Lancashire location; competes for senior and sixth-form pupils.

Broad incumbents

• Cognita Schools: Large global operator of independent and state-funded schools including multiple UK prep and senior schools. Operates at greater scale and across multiple sites, representing a broader incumbent in the UK independent school space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/westholmefamilyalumni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/13061325
• Xx.com/WestholmeSchool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Westholme School