Larkmead

What Larkmead does

Larkmead School is a state-funded secondary school located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, operating as part of the multi-academy Cambrian Learning Trust (also referenced as Vale Academy Trust). The school delivers statutory secondary education across Years 7-13, encompassing Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, and offers GCSE and A-Level qualifications across a broad curriculum including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages, Humanities, Creative and Performing Arts, Design & Technology, Computer Science, Business Studies, PE and Sports Studies. Specialist designations include Visual and Performing Arts specialist status and Specialist Sports College designation, supported by purpose-built studios, music blocks, and sports facilities. Teaching operations run on standard UK educational technology infrastructure: RM Unify learning portal, Show My Homework / Satchel One homework platform, Microsoft Teams for distance learning, and standard school network and email systems.

The school's business model is publicly funded rather than tuition-driven: as a UK state secondary, it does not charge fees and is funded through per-pupil government allocations, supplemented by Pupil Premium for disadvantaged students and SEND funding. A secondary, modest revenue stream is generated through facilities hire to local community groups, sports clubs and external organisations for use of sports fields, halls, studios and learning spaces outside school hours. Governance is split between a Local Governing Body and the Cambrian Learning Trust board, with Mrs A Sutton as Chair of Governors and Jonathan Dennett as Executive Headteacher alongside Co-Headteacher Rich Evans. Strategic partnerships include Oxford University Department for Education, Oxfordshire Teacher Training SCITT, Oxfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance (OTSA), Abingdon School, and the OX14 Partnership of state and independent schools.

Recent operational disruption includes significant flooding in January 2024 that damaged the boiler house, forcing temporary closure and partial remote learning, with Sixth Form teaching temporarily relocated to Abingdon School and St Helens. A leadership transition was announced in 2025 regarding future leadership structure. The school holds a third consecutive Ofsted Good rating (2019) and has invested over £3m in site development over the past four years. Catchment area admissions apply for Years 7-11, with Sixth Form applications managed via an online portal (applicaa.com).

Name

Larkmead

Legal name

Larkmead School

Website

https://larkmead-school.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Larkmead School is a UK state-funded secondary school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, delivering GCSE and A-Level education to students aged 11-18 (Years 7-13) as part of the Cambrian Learning Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Larkmead School is a state-funded UK secondary school located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, providing full-time education for students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13. The school delivers GCSE and A-Level qualifications across a broad curriculum including sciences, humanities, languages, arts, and vocational subjects, with specialist status in Visual and Performing Arts. As part of the Cambrian Learning Trust, it also offers community-facing services such as hiring out sports, drama, dance and music facilities to local groups outside school hours.

Product overview

Larkmead School is a secondary school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, part of the Cambrian Learning Trust. The school's main offering is its educational curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5 (Years 7-13). The curriculum spans core academic subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Languages, as well as specialized programs in Design & Technology, Art, Drama, Dance, Music, Business Studies, Computer Science, i-Media, Geography, History, and Philosophy & Religion. The school also offers a Sixth Form provision with A-Level courses. Beyond academics, the school provides enrichment programs including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, extensive clubs and activities, residential visits, and facilities hire to the local community. The school operates a website as its primary communication and information platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary School Education (Years 7-11)

Quantifiable outcome

• Third consecutive Good Ofsted rating
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxford University Department for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeacher training partnership providing interns and associate teachers for Initial Teacher Training. Students benefit from university-level teacher training while providing the school with new ideas and opportunities to improve teaching.
• Oxfordshire Teacher Training SCITTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-centred initial teacher training provider taking on interns and associate teachers annually. Strong track record of helping trainees achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Oxfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance (OTSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversees the ECT Induction process ensuring fair and consistent teacher development. Provides Early Career Framework CPD sessions including UCL IOE training delivered both face-to-face and online.
• Vale Academy TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent trust organization overseeing the school. Provides strategic direction, HR support, facilities management, and network collaboration across multiple schools in the trust.
• OX14 PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership of three state and three independent schools providing collaborative opportunities for students and staff across the OX14 area.
• Abingdon PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between primary and secondary schools in the Abingdon area, including working with Abingdon School specifically for sixth form programmes.
• Abingdon SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal independent school partnership for sixth form provision. Collaboration includes temporary relocation arrangements during facility disruptions.
• Oxfordshire Outdoor Education CentresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides adventure activities such as canoeing and climbing for residential visits under expert care of trained staff.
• Oxford County Music ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides instrumental music lessons including strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, keyboard and vocal tuition. Lessons available in group or individual format.
• Local Community Groups and Sports ClubsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVarious local community groups and sports clubs hire school facilities outside normal school hours. Provides affordable venue access to the community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Oxford Spires Academy: Oxford Spires Academy is a state-funded secondary school in Oxford serving a similar urban catchment, year-group structure, and post-16 student market.
• Cheney School: Cheney School is a state secondary school in Oxford with GCSE and sixth-form provision, making its regional admissions and education delivery comparable to Larkmead's.
• King Alfred's Academy: King Alfred's Academy is a state secondary and sixth-form provider in Wantage, Oxfordshire, with a similar GCSE, A-Level, extracurricular, and regional admissions model.
• The Henry Box School: The Henry Box School is a state-funded secondary school and sixth form in Witney, Oxfordshire, serving a similar regional student population and qualification mix.
• Fitzharrys School: Fitzharrys School is a state-funded secondary school in Abingdon with GCSE and sixth-form provision, so it competes directly with Larkmead for local pupils, curriculum delivery, and catchment applications.
• John Mason School: John Mason School is a coeducational secondary school in Abingdon with Years 7–11 and sixth-form provision, making it a close local peer for enrollment, staffing, and curriculum delivery.
• The Cherwell School: The Cherwell School is a state secondary school in Oxford offering a broad academic curriculum and post-16 pathways, comparable to Larkmead's regional student base and operating model.
• Didcot Girls' School: Didcot Girls' School is a state-funded secondary school and sixth form in South Oxfordshire with GCSE and A-Level provision and overlapping specialist and extracurricular programs.

Broad incumbents

• Abingdon School: Abingdon School is a long-established independent school offering broad secondary and sixth-form education in the same city, making it a local incumbent and partnership reference point for Larkmead.
• St Helen and St Katharine: St Helen and St Katharine is an established independent secondary and sixth-form school in Abingdon that competes for local families and shares the same post-16 market, despite its different funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/larkmeadschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/larkmeadschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/larkmead

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Larkmead