Reach South Academy Trust

Name

Reach South Academy Trust

Legal name

Reach South Academy Trust

Website

https://reachsouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM/STEAM-Focused Private K–12 Schools (EDAJABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI)

Keywords

• Multi academy trust
• Primary secondary education
• Special educational needs
• Inclusive school provision
• State funded schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a state-funded Multi Academy Trust, Reach South receives funding directly from the UK Government through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Funding comes via Master Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education. This is the primary revenue stream for operating academies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Reach South Academy Trust operates as a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) running 21 academies across the South West of England, delivering free primary, secondary, all-through, and special educational provision to children aged 3–19. The Trust provides inclusive education through ten primary academies, an all-through 4–16 academy, a secondary academy including the University Technical College in Plymouth, and eight special academies.

Product overview

Reach South Academy Trust operates as a Multi Academy Trust providing a unified educational platform across 21 academies in the South West of England. The portfolio includes 10 primary academies, 1 all-through 4-16 academy, 1 secondary academy (UTC Plymouth), and 8 special academies serving children aged 3-19 with diverse needs. The core offering centers on inclusive, high-quality education with strong emphasis on social mobility and social justice. Recently expanded through the April 2026 merger with Transforming Futures Trust (adding 13 specialist provisions) and the upcoming January 2027 opening of GAIL, a new special school for 200 pupils with SEND needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAIL: Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learning - a special academy within the trust
• GAIL
• UTC Plymouth
• Ace Schools

Products and services

• Primary Academy Education Services Comprehensive primary education services across ten primary academies serving children aged 3–11, with a focus on high-quality inclusive education and social mobility.
• Secondary Academy Education Services Secondary education provision including traditional secondary and the UTC Plymouth technical college for students aged 14–19, focusing on STEM and higher education pathways.
• Special Academy Provision Specialist educational support across eight special academies catering to children with complex needs, SEND provision, and alternative education pathways.
• All-Through Academy (4-16) Integrated education provision serving students from age 4 through 16, providing continuity in educational pathways from early years to secondary completion.
• UTC Plymouth University Technical College providing technical education for ages 14–19 with partnerships with University of Plymouth for STEM and higher education preparation.
• Transforming Futures Trust Schools (Acquired Provisions) Specialist schools and provisions from Transforming Futures Trust now part of Reach South, including ACE Schools, Courtlands, Mount Tamar School, and various WRAP provisions for alternative and nurture-based education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stuart Road Academy achieved 'Strong Standard' for achievement and inclusion in Ofsted inspection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and support.

• REAch2 Academy TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAch2 Academy Trust is the largest primary MAT in the country. Reach South has very close synergies and association with REAch2, with Sir Steve Lancashire (founder and former CEO of REAch2) serving as a Member of Reach South Academy Trust.
• CELTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReach South has close synergies and association with CELT. Collaboration focused on educational best practices and school improvement.
• The Wyvern FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReach South has close synergies and association with The Wyvern Federation for collaborative educational initiatives.
• University of PlymouthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTC Plymouth students experience campus life, lectures, and more through partnership with University of Plymouth, gaining head start on university life.
• Arts University PlymouthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMillbay Academy has growing partnership with Arts University Plymouth (AUP), opening exciting creative opportunities for young people in the community.
• E G Carter & Co LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerE G Carter & Co Ltd is the construction company building GAIL (Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning). Construction began in June with groundbreaking on 22nd July and steel signing ceremony on 9th September.
• Gloucestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAIL is being delivered on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council as part of wider programme to expand SEND provision across the county. Places allocated by Gloucestershire County Council.
• SchoolPro TLC LimitedsupportOthersSchoolPro TLC Limited serves as the Trust's Data Protection Officer, providing GDPR and data protection services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Academy Transformation Trust: Multi-region MAT with a similar mix of primary, secondary and alternative-provision academies; comparable scale and acquisition-led growth approach.
• Greenshaw Learning Trust: Mid-sized, growing UK MAT pursuing a similar expansion strategy through mergers and sponsorship of under-performing schools, particularly in southern England.
• Wellspring Academy Trust: MAT with significant special and alternative-provision expertise, including SEMH-focused academies - highly comparable to Reach South's expanding SEND and AP portfolio.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: The UK's largest primary Multi Academy Trust; Reach South has a formal strategic affiliation with REAch2 and shares a board member (Sir Steve Lancashire). Operates a comparable K-12 inclusive model across numerous academies.
• Cathedral Schools Trust: South West England MAT with a similar mix of primary, secondary and all-through academies in the same geography, providing a direct regional benchmark for Reach South's operating performance.

Broad incumbents

• Harris Federation: Major London-origin MAT now operating academies nationally, including primary, secondary and special provisions - a useful comparator on multi-region MAT scaling and governance discipline.
• United Learning: National MAT running state and independent schools across primary, secondary and SEND; comparable to Reach South on diversified portfolio mix and integrated central services.
• Ark Schools: One of the UK's largest MATs operating primary, secondary and all-through academies with a strong focus on social mobility and inclusion - closely aligned with Reach South's mission and operating model.
• Oasis Community Learning: Large national MAT running primary, secondary and all-through academies with a strong community-embedded ethos similar to Reach South's 'community ecosystem' positioning.

Regional players

• Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust: South East-based MAT operating a similar mix of primary and all-through academies under a charitable structure; useful regional comparator on funding-dependent growth models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/reach-south-academy-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Subsidiaries21 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 Reach South Academy Trust