Newfriars College
Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND college in Stoke-on-Trent serving 226 students aged 16-25 with EHCPs across three pathways — Vocational, Independent Living, and Supported Living — funded primarily via Local Authority EHCP commissioning, with Project SEARCH Supported Internships run in partnership with UHNM and Tesco.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersStoke-on-trent, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Newfriars College does
Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) college operating as a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 11426256), founded in 2018 and located in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It serves 226 young people aged 16-25 holding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, delivering three distinct educational pathways — Vocational, Independent Living, and Supported Living — alongside a Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme operated in partnership with University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM), Sodexo UK, and Tesco Hanley. The college runs an on-site Community Junction training café and print shop in Newcastle-Under-Lyme as a social enterprise, supported by a comprehensive in-house therapies service (physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, clinical psychology) and specialist facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, gym, sensory room, and personal care rooms.
The core technology stack is operational rather than digital: the proprietary Evidence for Learning app is used to record and track student progress against EHCP outcomes and share this with parents, while on-site clinical and educational delivery relies on specialist physical infrastructure. The ICT function is led by a dedicated manager, but the technology estate is described as supporting tracking and visibility rather than as a productised platform.
The business model is essentially public-sector commissioned education. Revenue is primarily derived from EHCP high-needs funding allocated by Local Authorities on a per-student basis, supplemented by tiered transport fees (£1,200 per academic year for 5-day students, £780 for 3-day students for 2026-27), a £1,200 Vulnerable Bursary for eligible students, and modest ancillary income from the Community Junction café. Distribution is direct and geographically constrained to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, with the go-to-market motion centred on Local Authority commissioning, school referrals, EHCP reviews, open events, and the multi-employer partnership network that feeds internship pipelines.
Newfriars College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Newfriars College
- Legal name
- Newfriars College
- Website
- https://newfriarscollege.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND college in Stoke-on-Trent serving 226 students aged 16-25 with EHCPs across three pathways — Vocational, Independent Living, and Supported Living — funded primarily via Local Authority EHCP commissioning, with Project SEARCH Supported Internships run in partnership with UHNM and Tesco.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Newfriars College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialist SEND Further Education
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK), Special Education Online / Virtual Schools & Remote Programs (EDAKAAAL)
Keywords
Where Newfriars College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stoke-on-trent
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Newfriars College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Education Funding: Revenue primarily derived from Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) funding allocated by Local Authorities for students with SEND. Students aged 16-25 are funded through the national high-needs funding system.
- Transport Services: College-provided transport service with fees of £1,200 for 5-day students and £780 for 3-day students per academic year.
- Bursary Support: Vulnerable Bursary of £1,200 available for eligible students (in care, leaving care, claiming Universal Credit). Discretionary bursaries and Free College Meals for those receiving Universal Credit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 5-Day Transport Package |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 3-Day Transport Package |
| Other | Annual | Vulnerable Bursary |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Newfriars College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND college in Stoke-on-Trent providing education for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities who hold an EHCP. It delivers differentiated learning pathways (Vocational, Independent Living, Supported Living, Supported Internships via Project SEARCH), wraparound therapies and care services, an enrichment program, and CEIAG, supported by specialist on-site facilities and the Evidence for Learning digital platform.
Product overview
Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND college providing education for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities. The college operates three distinct educational pathways (Vocational, Independent Living, and Supported Living) that prepare learners for various adult outcomes including employment, further education, and independent or supported living. Core programs include Supported Internships (Project SEARCH) in partnership with UHNM and Tesco, the Community Junction social enterprise cafe/print-shop, and a comprehensive therapies and care service. The college also offers enrichment activities and a structured careers education program. All students have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and receive personalized support tailored to their individual needs and aspirations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Community Junction: A public-facing training cafe and print shop in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, run by staff and students from the College, providing employability and preparation for adulthood skills training.
Products and services
- Vocational Pathway A learning pathway within Newfriars College that focuses on vocational and work-related skills for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities who hold an EHCP.
- Independent Living Pathway A learning pathway that supports students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities to develop the skills needed for greater independent living.
- Supported Living Pathway A pathway within Newfriars College designed for students with learning difficulties and disabilities who require higher levels of ongoing support as part of their college experience.
- Supported Internships (Project SEARCH) A supported internship programme delivered in partnership with employer host businesses for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities, using the Project SEARCH model to build employability and on-the-job skills.
- Community Junction A community-based programme operated by Newfriars College that provides students with real-world learning, community engagement, and outreach placements.
- Therapies and Care Services Wraparound therapies and care services offered to students at Newfriars College alongside their main learning pathway, supporting EHCP health and care outcomes.
- Enrichment Program An enrichment programme of activities offered alongside the academic pathways at Newfriars College to broaden students' experiences and support personal development.
- Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) A careers education, information, advice and guidance service provided to students at Newfriars College to support preparation for adulthood, further training, or employment.
- Student Transport Service A transport service operated by Newfriars College to bring students to and from the campus, offered to families on a tiered basis (3-day or 5-day).
Companies that use Newfriars College
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Newfriars College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Newfriars College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tesco HanleycoreSupported Internship programme 'Retail Ready' launched September 2024 at Tesco Hanley. Students work Monday-Thursday at Tesco gaining hands-on retail experience, with Friday at college for classroom learning. Job coaches provide on-site support. Programme expanding to three Tesco stores in 2025-26.
- University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM) / Project SEARCHcoreSince 2018, UHNM in partnership with Sodexo UK has collaborated with Newfriars College to provide Project SEARCH Supported Internships for young people aged 18-24 with EHCPs. Students spend 70% of time in workplace placements with job coach support, working in non-clinical roles including portering, retail, catering, domestics, gardening, ward assisting, administration and transport services.
- Sodexo UKcoreSodexo UK works alongside UHNM and Newfriars College as part of the Project SEARCH partnership, providing staff 'buddies' who help students learn job roles and model expected work behaviour during supported internships.
- Learn and ThriveminorCharity partnership providing resources for young people with SEN. Newfriars College has set up this partnership to create resources and opportunities for students.
- Frontline Dance CompanyminorDelivers inclusive dance sessions for enrichment that promote expression, movement and wellbeing across all pathways.
- Bee ActiveminorProvides engaging sports sessions and lunchtime clubs that encourage physical activity and teamwork for enrichment activities.
- Stoke City FCminorFootball coaches from Stoke City FC run sessions supporting fitness, coordination and collaboration as part of enrichment programme.
- Positive Steps PhysiotherapycoreExternal physiotherapy provider delivering on-site services including physiotherapy, Rebound Therapy, and hydrotherapy. Led by Lorna Saunders with 20+ years NHS experience, working alongside college nursing team.
- Staffordshire Special Needs School Nursing ServicecoreProvides on-site nursing support for students including assessment, care planning, medication administration, enteral feeding, and training for education staff. Supports EHCPs and transition planning.
- Work Experience Employer Partnerscore15+ employer partners providing work experience placements: Belong Villages, Brewers Fayre, Brisk Coffee, Canal and River Trust, Community Grocery, FoxLowe Arts, GXO, Housing 21, K Buchell hairdressing, Makers Market, NHS, Paws and Co, Screwfix, Tesco, The Entertainer. Employers gain disability-confident training and potential future employees.
- Newcastle-under-Lyme MarketsminorILP Art Enterprise Project group has partnered with Newcastle-under-Lyme Markets, regularly running their own market stall selling student-made items.
- DFN Project SearchcoreInternational supported internship model licensing partnership. Newfriars College is the education provider and license holder for Project SEARCH UHNM programme.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Newfriars College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NAS (National Autistic Society): Largest UK charity for autistic people operating schools, post-16 services and supported employment programmes; broader portfolio but overlapping SEND post-16 and employment pathways.
- Ambitious about Autism: UK charity running specialist schools and post-19 further education provision (TreeHouse, Ambitious College) for autistic young people - overlapping specialist SEND further education focus at greater scale.
Direct peers
- Portland College: Specialist FE college in Nottingham for students aged 16-25 with SEND/disabilities, providing residential and day programmes with therapies and employability pathways - very close comparable in offering and target cohort.
- Treloar Trust: Well-established specialist FE college in Hampshire for students with physical and learning disabilities, offering personalised pathways, therapies and supported internships - directly comparable in mission, age range and pathway structure.
- Henshaws Specialist College: Specialist FE college in North West England for young people aged 16-25 with SEND including visual impairment and learning disabilities, offering personalised pathways and therapies - directly comparable regional SEND post-16 model.
- Orchard Hill College: Specialist FE college for learners 16-25 with SEND across multiple London sites, offering vocational, independent living and supported employment pathways - directly comparable multi-pathway SEND post-16 model.
- National Star: National specialist further education college for disabled young people (16-25) offering residential and day programmes with therapies and supported internships. Most directly comparable UK specialist SEND post-16 college to Newfriars.
- Hereward College: Specialist post-16 college in Coventry for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties offering personalised pathways and supported employment programmes; comparable in target learner and outcomes focus.
- Ruskin Mill Trust: Specialist independent provider of education for young people with complex learning disabilities including SEMH and autism, using practical land- and craft-based curricula. Comparable in specialist SEND post-16 mission with alternative pedagogical approach.
- Camphill UK: Network of specialist intentional communities providing education, training and supported living for young people with learning disabilities and SEND, often into adulthood. Comparable cohort and transition-to-adulthood focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Newfriars College social profiles
Digital presenceNewfriars College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Newfriars College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Newfriars College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Newfriars College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Newfriars College 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 Newfriars College
What does Newfriars College do?
Newfriars College is a specialist post-16 SEND college in Stoke-on-Trent providing education for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities who hold an EHCP. It delivers differentiated learning pathways (Vocational, Independent Living, Supported Living, Supported Internships via Project SEARCH), wraparound therapies and care services, an enrichment program, and CEIAG, supported by specialist on-site facilities and the Evidence for Learning digital platform.
Is Newfriars College a public or private company?
Newfriars College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Newfriars College founded?
Newfriars College was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Newfriars College based?
Newfriars College is headquartered in Stoke-on-trent, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Newfriars College make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Education Funding is the primary driver. The others are transport Services and bursary Support.
Who are Newfriars College's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NAS (National Autistic Society) and Ambitious about Autism. Direct peers are Portland College, Treloar Trust, Henshaws Specialist College, Orchard Hill College, National Star, Hereward College, Ruskin Mill Trust and Camphill UK.
Does Newfriars College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Newfriars College.
What industry is Newfriars College in?
Newfriars College's product category is Specialist SEND Further Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAFAJ, Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences, with a secondary code of EDAAABAK, College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.