L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust operating 27 primary and secondary academies across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, serving 11,500 pupils with 1,700 staff. It delivers government-funded education and offers commercial IT services, teacher training, and CPD to external schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersNottingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What L.E.A.D. Academy Trust does
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) established in 2011, operating 27 academies across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire regions and serving approximately 11,500 pupils with 1,700 staff. Structurally, it is a company limited by guarantee (a charitable, non-share-capital entity) governed by a board of trustees and local governing bodies, led by Chief Executive Diana Owen CBE. The Trust delivers primary and secondary education with 92% of its academies rated 'Good' or above by Ofsted, including one Outstanding-rated academy (Huntingdon).
The Trust operates a portfolio of interconnected products and services. Core delivery is direct academy operation (public-funded education). Beyond this, it runs L.E.A.D. IT Services (managed IT support, broadband, cloud telephony, CCTV, and cybersecurity for schools), L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub (DfE-accredited provider of Initial Teacher Training, Early Career Framework, NPQs, and CPD, one of 87 nationally), Witham St Hughs English Hub (one of 34 DfE-designated literacy hubs), L.E.A.D. Active (research-informed teaching methods for English, Spelling, and Number), L.E.A.D. Equate (CPD platform with over 100 live sessions), and a Finance Directors' Networking Forum. Technology partnerships include Senso.cloud, iBoss, and DNS Filter for safeguarding and cybersecurity.
The revenue model is primarily UK government per-pupil funding through Department for Education grants, supplemented by fee-based commercial services to external schools and trusts (managed IT services, CPD, networking forums). The go-to-market is community-led through partnership working, with the Trust explicitly inviting new schools to join while promising operational autonomy combined with shared best-practice infrastructure. Geographic focus is regional (East Midlands and South Yorkshire), with a recent expansion into Leicester via the March 2024 acquisition of St Mary's Fields Primary School.
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
- Legal name
- L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
- Website
- https://leadacademytrust.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust operating 27 primary and secondary academies across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, serving 11,500 pupils with 1,700 staff. It delivers government-funded education and offers commercial IT services, teacher training, and CPD to external schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Primary and Secondary Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)
Keywords
Where L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nottingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Education Funding / Government Grants: Publicly funded through Department for Education funding agreements as a Multi-Academy Trust. Revenue comes from government grants for educating pupils across academies.
- IT Services to External Clients: L.E.A.D. IT Services provides managed IT support, on-demand support, broadband, telephony, CCTV and consultancy services to external trusts and schools outside the organisation.
- Professional Development Services: CPD services through L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub, English Hub, and L.E.A.D. Equate providing teacher training, NPQs, and professional development to external schools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | IT Services custom packages |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Finance Directors Networking Forum |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust that operates 27 primary and secondary academies delivering state-funded education to 11,500 pupils across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. Beyond academy operation, the Trust provides managed IT services, teacher training via a DfE-accredited Teaching School Hub, English Hub reading support, and continuing professional development (CPD) to external schools and trusts.
Product overview
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust operates as a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) providing education services across 27 academies. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services including: L.E.A.D. IT Services (comprehensive IT support for schools), L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub (DfE-accredited teacher training and professional development), Witham St Hughs English Hub (DfE-designated reading support), L.E.A.D. Active (research-informed teaching approaches for English, Spelling, and Number), L.E.A.D. Equate (CPD platform with over 100 live sessions), RISE Reception Networks (early years improvement programme), and the Finance Directors' Networking Forum. The 'Golden Thread of Teaching Progression' underpins staff development across all academies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub: DfE accredited Teaching School Hub providing Initial Teacher Training, Early Career Framework, NPQs, and Appropriate Body Services
- L.E.A.D. IT Services
- L.E.A.D. Professional Development
- L.E.A.D. Equate
- L.E.A.D. Active
- Witham St Hughs English Hub
Products and services
- L.E.A.D. IT Services Comprehensive IT support packages for schools and trusts, including fully managed IT support, on-demand support, services for Multi Academy Trusts (MATs), remote support, broadband and telephony, IT consultancy and procurement, CCTV and door access control, and educational support. Sold to external schools and trusts on multi-year contracts.
- L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub DfE-accredited Teaching School Hub providing Initial Teacher Training, Early Career Framework support, Appropriate Body Services, and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) to improve outcomes for pupils. Delivered to external schools and trusts across the East Midlands.
- Witham St Hughs English Hub One of 34 DfE-designated English Hubs supporting schools in developing their reading provision. Delivered through Witham St Hughs Academy in the East Midlands region.
- L.E.A.D. Active Research-informed, high impact pedagogical approaches supporting teaching and learning, including Active English (grammar, reading fluency, vocabulary), Active Spelling, and Active Number (KIRF and mathematical fluency). Used across Trust academies.
- L.E.A.D. Equate Internal CPD platform providing over 100 live professional learning opportunities and on-demand recorded CPD delivered by L.E.A.D. experts, with strategic alignment to Trust and school priorities.
- RISE Reception Networks A DfE programme to improve Reception provision quality. Waddington All Saints Academy is designated as a RISE Reception Network Lead School working with other schools in the area.
- Finance Directors' Networking Forum East Midlands Finance Directors' Networking Forum led by L.E.A.D. Academy Trust for collaboration and sharing of best practice for finance and business leads in trusts and local authority maintained schools. Pay-as-you-go booking model with events held at the beginning of March.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of academies rated 'Good' or above by Ofsted
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Relish School FoodcoreLead sponsor for Christmas meal campaigns across the trust. Long-term partner working with L.E.A.D. for 13 years providing nutritious school food and community support initiatives.
- Sentinel Procurement SolutionscoreLead sponsor for Christmas meal campaigns, supporting trust in providing memorable community events.
- ESP PlayminorSchool playground equipment supplier based in Burnley, sponsor of Christmas meal campaigns and play areas across academies.
- Senso.cloudcoreWorking with industry leaders such as Senso.cloud for all-encompassing safeguarding and security solutions.
- iBosscorePartnered for enterprise-grade filtering solutions as part of comprehensive cybersecurity offerings.
- DNS FiltercorePartner for DNS filtering technology providing compliant internet safety standards for schools.
- The Derby Food AlliancecorePartnership to fund food parcels and personal care products for the community during cost of living crisis. Supports local families experiencing food poverty.
- Lucy Beaumont / Comedy Night OrganiserminorComedian who helped organise fundraising comedy night raising over £14,000 for schools' local hardship fund.
- The Ogden TrustcoreScience charity providing £2,500 grant to Noel-Baker Academy through School Partnerships programme to support physics education in local primary schools.
- Classics for AllcoreNational charity supporting state school teachers to introduce Latin and classical subjects. Provides training, resources and regional coordination through University of Leicester.
- University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient HistoryminorDr Jane Ainsworth from the university provides regional coordination for Classics for All and delivers careers talks about archaeology.
- IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology)coreOrganisers of IET Faraday's annual Challenge Day - STEM competition bringing together Derbyshire schools for hands-on engineering activities.
- UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC)minorNational competition for secondary school students designing, building and launching model rockets with fragile payloads.
- Forge Sports PartnershipminorSports partnership collaborating with The Birley Academy to host orienteering events for local primary school pupils.
- Points Sports PartnershipminorSports partnership supporting The Birley Academy in organising community sporting events.
- Browne JacobsonminorNottingham-based law firm that donated notebooks to Trust academies as part of commitment to supporting local community and promoting literacy.
- British CouncilcoreAwarding body for International School Award recognising exceptional international education work at Sycamore Academy.
- PearsonminorOrganiser of National Teaching Awards. Mentioned in context of Benjamin Adlard Primary winning UK Primary School of the Year.
- FarshoreminorPublisher providing £250 worth of books and personalised letter from patron Michael Morpurgo for Reading for Pleasure Awards.
- Renishaw Hall and GardensminorLocal venue that donated compost to support The Birley Academy's Big Birley Outdoor Project.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oasis Community Learning: UK MAT operating a national network of academies with integrated community services. Comparable as a multi-academy trust with similar scale and education-plus-services model.
- Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): Large UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies. Comparable in scale and structure as a national academy trust group with shared educational services.
- United Learning: Major UK MAT running state and independent schools nationally. Comparable as a large academy trust with centralized school improvement, CPD, and shared back-office services.
- RM Education: UK-headquartered provider of IT services, infrastructure, and cybersecurity to schools and MATs. Directly comparable to L.E.A.D. IT Services as a managed IT services provider serving the UK education sector.
- Harris Federation: Large UK MAT running primary and secondary academies with significant teacher training, CPD, and school improvement operations. Closely comparable in operating model and geographic spread across England.
- Ark: One of the largest UK Multi-Academy Trusts operating a network of primary and secondary academies. Directly comparable as a non-profit MAT running multiple schools, teacher training, and school improvement services across England.
- Star Academies: UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies nationally with strong DfE relationships. Comparable as a multi-academy trust group running multiple schools under shared governance.
- Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Large UK MAT with extensive primary and secondary academy network. Comparable as a multi-academy trust focused on school improvement and operational consolidation.
- REAch2 Academy Trust: One of the largest UK primary-focused MATs. Comparable as a primary-emphasis multi-academy trust with school improvement and shared services infrastructure.
Broad incumbents
- GEMS Education: Large global K-12 private school operator. Comparable as a broader private K-12 school operator with professional development and curriculum services, but international and for-profit rather than a UK MAT.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust social profiles
Digital presenceL.E.A.D. Academy Trust compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust 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 L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
What does L.E.A.D. Academy Trust do?
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust that operates 27 primary and secondary academies delivering state-funded education to 11,500 pupils across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. Beyond academy operation, the Trust provides managed IT services, teacher training via a DfE-accredited Teaching School Hub, English Hub reading support, and continuing professional development (CPD) to external schools and trusts.
Is L.E.A.D. Academy Trust a public or private company?
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was L.E.A.D. Academy Trust founded?
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust was founded in 2011. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is L.E.A.D. Academy Trust based?
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does L.E.A.D. Academy Trust make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Education Funding / Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are IT Services to External Clients and professional Development Services.
Who are L.E.A.D. Academy Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oasis Community Learning, Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), United Learning, RM Education, Harris Federation, Ark, Star Academies, Outwood Grange Academies Trust and REAch2 Academy Trust. GEMS Education is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does L.E.A.D. Academy Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for L.E.A.D. Academy Trust.
What industry is L.E.A.D. Academy Trust in?
L.E.A.D. Academy Trust's product category is Primary and Secondary Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAFAB, Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.