Badger Learning
Badger Learning is a UK educational publisher and supplier of reading schemes, phonics programmes, and curriculum-aligned books serving primary, secondary, and international schools. Operating under Haven Books Ltd since 1989, it distributes major publisher brands alongside its own publishing imprint.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersStevenage, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Badger Learning does
Badger Learning is a UK-based educational publisher and supplier of reading schemes, phonics programmes, guided reading resources, and curriculum-aligned books serving primary, secondary, and international schools. Operating under the parent company Haven Books Ltd (whose history with the Badger brand dates to 1989), the business is headquartered in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and operates through a small team of 1-10 employees. Its catalogue spans Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 4 and is organised around UK statutory reading frameworks, with specialist coverage for SEND, EAL, and reluctant or struggling readers.
The product mix combines third-party distribution with proprietary publishing. Badger Learning is a core UK distributor for several flagship systematic synthetic phonics and reading programmes - including Collins Little Wandle, Oxford University Press schemes, Pearson Bug Club, Ruth Miskin's Read Write Inc, PhonicBooks, and Barrington Stoke - alongside its own imprint (Badger Publishing) which produces hi-lo (high interest, low reading age) series such as Fearsome FC, Full Flight, WOW! Fiction, and Alien Detective Agency. The platform layer is a Magento-based e-commerce storefront (badgerlearning.co.uk) categorised by key stage, reading age, scheme, and curriculum area, supporting both direct-to-school sales and a book-trade accounts programme.
Revenue is generated through one-time physical book sales (workbooks from £0.99 to full reading-scheme collection packs up to £2,354.06, paid via invoice with 30-day terms) supplemented by recurring digital revenue from eBook library subscriptions (£144/year, £336/three-year) such as the Big Cat for Little Wandle Fluency eBook Library. Go-to-market combines an enterprise field-sales motion targeting UK schools and book trade accounts with direct-to-consumer e-commerce. There are no disclosed funding rounds; the company is privately held within Haven Books Ltd with no public-company or VC/PE backing indicated.
Badger Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Badger Learning
- Legal name
- Haven Books Ltd
- Website
- https://badgerlearning.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Badger Learning is a UK educational publisher and supplier of reading schemes, phonics programmes, and curriculum-aligned books serving primary, secondary, and international schools. Operating under Haven Books Ltd since 1989, it distributes major publisher brands alongside its own publishing imprint.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Badger Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Reading Comprehension & Close Reading Enrichment (EDAMAJAB), Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG), Structured Literacy / Orton-Gillingham Intervention Services (EDAKAJAC)
Keywords
Where Badger Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stevenage
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Badger Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Physical Book Sales: One-time sale of physical books and educational resource packs to schools. Products include reading scheme books, banded reading boxes, phonics materials, guided reading resources, and curriculum-aligned books. Pricing varies from individual workbooks (from £0.99) to complete collection packs (up to £2,354.06).
- eBook Subscriptions: Digital subscription model for eBook libraries including Big Cat for Little Wandle Fluency eBook Library with 1-year (£144.00) and 3-year (£336.00) subscription options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual pupil workbooks and consumables |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Book packs and collections |
| Subscription | Annual | eBook Library Subscriptions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Badger Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Badger Learning is a UK-based educational publisher and supplier that curates, distributes, and publishes teaching resources for schools. Its core offering is a comprehensive catalogue of curriculum-aligned reading schemes, phonics programmes, guided reading materials, intervention resources, banded book collections, and hi-lo (high interest, low reading age) books for struggling and reluctant readers, spanning Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 4. The company serves UK primary schools, secondary schools, international schools, and book trade accounts, selling both physical books and digital eBook library subscriptions.
Product overview
Badger Learning is a UK-based educational publisher and supplier of teaching resources for schools, operating as Badger Learning Ltd (formerly Badger Publishing) and serving schools since 1989. The company offers an extensive portfolio of reading schemes (including Collins Big Cat, Little Wandle, Read Write Inc Phonics, Bug Club, Essential Letters and Sounds), core literacy products (Essential Spelling and Word Knowledge, Big Cat for Little Wandle Fluency, Little Wandle Handwriting, Guided Reading resources, Book Band Collections, Accelerated Reader collections), intervention programmes (Catch Up Literacy, Rapid Writing, Rapid Plus), and hi-lo (high interest/low reading level) book series for struggling and reluctant readers (Fearsome FC, Full Flight, WOW! Facts, WOW! Fiction, Alien Detective Agency, Ignite, Momentum). The product line spans Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 4, covering reading schemes, phonics, writing, guided reading, fluency development, intervention resources, library collections, graphic novels, exam set texts, and free downloadable resources. Badger also operates its own publishing division (Badger Publishing) with contracted authors. The company serves primary schools, secondary schools, international schools, and offers payment by invoice to schools and book trade accounts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Collins Big Cat Comprehensive reading scheme from Collins offering phonics, book bands, and progression materials for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, distributed to UK schools.
- Little Wandle Oxford University Press systematic synthetic phonics programme including reading books, classroom resources, fluency materials, SEND programme, and handwriting resources for Reception through Key Stage 2.
- Read Write Inc Phonics Ruth Miskin's phonics programme designed for children aged 4-6 (and struggling readers up to age 9), creating fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers; includes Get Writing! books and Fresh Start for secondary.
- Bug Club Phonics Phonics reading scheme from Pearson's Bug Club for early readers in Reception and Key Stage 1.
- Essential Letters and Sounds Systematic synthetic phonics programme with blending books, phonic books, fluency resources, and essential spelling for Year 2 from Oxford University Press.
- Essential Spelling and Word Knowledge Oxford University Press spelling programme for Years 3-6 / P4-P7 focusing on morphology and etymology, teaching spelling through morpheme matrices aligned with the 2025 Department for Education Writing Framework.
- Big Cat for Little Wandle Fluency Finely levelled texts from Collins designed to build reading confidence, stamina, and speed for children post-phonics; available as physical books and an eBook library subscription.
- Little Wandle Handwriting Structured handwriting programme produced by Collins in collaboration with Little Wandle for Reception, based on latest research, with workbooks and a teacher's handbook.
- Book Band Collections Colour-coded levelled reading collections for Reception through Year 6, containing real (non-scheme) books levelled against widely used colour band levels for reading for pleasure and fluency building.
- Accelerated Reader Collections Curated book collections for primary and secondary schools compatible with Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader programme, featuring levelled books with AR levels.
- Catch Up Literacy Targeted literacy intervention resource for struggling readers requiring additional support in primary schools.
- Rapid Writing Writing intervention for struggling and disadvantaged children in mainstream schools and those with SEN in Key Stage 2, bridging reading to writing with structured lessons.
- Rapid Plus Phonics-based reading intervention for Key Stage 3 students who need targeted reading support to close phonics gaps.
- Hi-Lo Books for Struggling and Reluctant Readers High interest, low reading level books for readers who need engaging content at accessible reading ages; includes multiple own-published series such as Alien Detective Agency, Fearsome FC, Full Flight, Ignite, Momentum, WOW! Facts and WOW! Fiction.
- The Fearsome FC High-action football stories series for reluctant readers, combining pulse of the pitch with real-world themes; available in physical and PDF download formats.
- Guided Reading Resources Curated levelled novels and teacher notes for guided reading sessions, including Whole Class Guided Reading for Year 3-6, KS1 and KS2 guided reading by year group.
- PhonicBooks for Ages 8-14+ Age-appropriate phonics-based texts for Key Stage 2 students with gaps in phonics knowledge, including series such as Moon Dogs, Magic Belt, That Dog!, Mel on Mars and others.
- Penguin Readers Graded ELT readers for secondary schools, supporting English language learning through levelled fiction.
- Library Collections Curated book collections for secondary school libraries including BookTok & #Trending, Best New Books, Recommended Reads, Mental Health and Diversity & Inclusion themed collections.
- Dual Language Resources Bilingual reading materials including English-Ukrainian dual language books and phrasebooks, supporting Ukrainian refugee students and other EAL learners.
- Graphic Novels and Comic Strips Graphic novels and comic strips for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and teens, engaging reluctant readers through visual storytelling.
- Badger Publishing Badger Learning's in-house publishing division producing original educational resources for schools with a roster of contracted authors, including own-published series such as Fearsome FC, Full Flight, WOW! Facts and WOW! Fiction.
Companies that use Badger Learning
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Badger Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Badger Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Collins (Little Wandle)coreBadger Learning distributes Collins Little Wandle phonics programme materials including reading books, handwriting workbooks, fluency resources, SEND programme materials, and storage boxes. This is a flagship distribution partnership covering one of the most widely used synthetic phonics programmes in UK schools.
- Oxford University PresscoreDistributor for Oxford University Press reading schemes including Bug Club, Essential Letters and Sounds, Explore with Biff Chip and Kipper, and Readerful. Also distributes Oxford Primary Dictionary and Oxford Little Blending Books.
- Pearson (Bug Club)coreReseller of Pearson's Bug Club phonics and independent reading programme materials.
- Ruth Miskin Training (Read Write Inc)coreDistributor of Read Write Inc Phonics programme materials including Get Writing! books and Fresh Start secondary programme, developed by Ruth Miskin.
- PhonicBookscoreUK distributor for PhonicBooks decodable series including Moon Dogs, Magic Belt, Alba and other titles for KS2 and KS3 readers aged 8-14+.
- Barrington StokecoreDistributor of Barrington Stoke books, known for dyslexia-friendly publishing with super-readable content for struggling and reluctant readers.
- Haven Books LtdcoreParent company of Badger Learning. Badger Learning is a subsidiary of Haven Books Ltd. Payments may appear as 'Haven Books' on bank statements.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Badger Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lovereading4Schools: UK-based school book club and reading-resource supplier providing curated book packs, guided-reading sets, and author-event services to primary and secondary schools. Closely comparable in GTM and customer base.
- BookPeople: UK children's book multi-channel retailer with school offers, book fairs, and bulk book packs. Comparable in school-channel book distribution and book-pack product format, though wider in consumer reach.
- Phonic Books: Independent publisher of decodable phonics readers for KS2 and older struggling readers. Badger Learning is its UK distributor; the underlying publishing activity is highly comparable in product and customer.
- Peters: UK school book supplier offering curated reading books, library collections, and book-banded packs to primary and secondary schools. Operates the same niche specialist-distributor model as Badger Learning.
- HarperCollins Children's Books (Collins): Publisher of Big Cat and other Collins school reading schemes. Badger Learning distributes Collins Little Wandle collaboration titles, making Collins both a partner and a directly comparable school-facing reading-scheme publisher.
- Rising Stars (Hodder Education): UK publisher of reading schemes (Reading Planet), test preparation, and primary-school literacy resources. Directly comparable as a curriculum-aligned reading-scheme and intervention publisher serving UK schools.
- Oxford University Press Education: Major UK publisher of reading schemes (Little Wandle, Bug Club, Essential Letters and Sounds, Readerful, Project X). Badger Learning is both a partner-distributor and a competing seller of OUP titles, making it the most direct peer by product and customer overlap.
Emerging players
- Barrington Stoke: Specialist UK publisher of dyslexia-friendly, super-readable books for struggling and reluctant readers. Comparable through overlapping hi-lo / reluctant-reader product positioning with Badger's own Full Flight and Fearsome FC series.
Broad incumbents
- Pearson Education: Global educational publisher behind Bug Club, Rapid, and Power English. Comparable as a UK school reading-scheme publisher and through overlapping distribution to primary and secondary schools, but operates at global incumbent scale.
- Scholastic: Global children's book publisher and school book-club/ book-fair distributor. Directly comparable to Badger Learning in UK school-channel distribution of children's books and reading schemes, but operating at vastly larger scale and with own-IP dominance.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Badger Learning social profiles
Digital presenceBadger Learning compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Badger Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Badger Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Badger Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Badger Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Badger Learning
What does Badger Learning do?
Badger Learning is a UK-based educational publisher and supplier that curates, distributes, and publishes teaching resources for schools. Its core offering is a comprehensive catalogue of curriculum-aligned reading schemes, phonics programmes, guided reading materials, intervention resources, banded book collections, and hi-lo (high interest, low reading age) books for struggling and reluctant readers, spanning Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 4. The company serves UK primary schools, secondary schools, international schools, and book trade accounts, selling both physical books and digital eBook library subscriptions.
Is Badger Learning a public or private company?
Badger Learning is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Badger Learning founded?
Badger Learning was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Badger Learning based?
Badger Learning is headquartered in Stevenage, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Badger Learning make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Physical Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are eBook Subscriptions.
Who are Badger Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lovereading4Schools, BookPeople, Phonic Books, Peters, HarperCollins Children's Books (Collins), Rising Stars (Hodder Education) and Oxford University Press Education. Barrington Stoke is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Pearson Education and Scholastic.
Does Badger Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Badger Learning.
What industry is Badger Learning in?
Badger Learning's product category is Educational Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJABAA, K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum), with a secondary code of EDAMAJAB, Reading Comprehension & Close Reading Enrichment. Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.