Astrum MAT

What Astrum MAT does

Astrum Multi Academy Trust (Astrum MAT) is a UK-registered charitable Multi Academy Trust providing specialist education for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a particular focus on Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). The trust operates two main schools - Hatchside Academy (an infant and junior school) and Newbridge Academy - alongside Astrum College - Project Search, a post-16 vocational internship program that places SEND young adults in rotational work placements at partner sites including King George Hospital. Services extend to integrated therapy and outreach support, and the trust operates from its headquarters at 161 Gresham Drive, Chadwell Heath, Essex, in the London Borough of Redbridge.

The trust's technology footprint is modest: it runs the School Jotter 3 web platform provided by third-party vendor Webanywhere as its core website/CMS layer, with no proprietary technology assets or AI/ML capabilities disclosed. Its competitive position rests on specialist teaching expertise, ELKLAN-trained communication staff, and a dense partnership ecosystem spanning NHS (NELFT), Redbridge LBR social care and education teams, two universities, and national SEND networks (NNoSS, Pan-London PMLD Network, Project Search).

Astrum MAT is a not-for-profit entity; it does not generate commercial revenue in the traditional sense. Funding flows from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) via per-pupil grants and from the London Borough of Redbridge via SEND top-up funding for high-needs pupils. Customer acquisition occurs through local authority placement commissioning and a 'Join Our Trust' outreach to schools considering academy conversion. The trust is governed by a Trust Board with Members and Local Advisory Boards at each school, in line with UK statutory academy governance requirements including safeguarding, PREVENT, and safer recruitment compliance.

Name

Astrum MAT

Legal name

Astrum Multi Academy Trust

Website

https://astrum-mat.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Astrum MAT is a UK charitable Multi Academy Trust providing specialist SEND education (SLD and PMLD) in Redbridge, Essex, operating Hatchside Academy, Newbridge Academy, and the Project Search post-16 vocational program, funded primarily through ESFA and local authority SEND grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Special education services
• SEND academy provision
• Multi academy trust
• Vocational internship programs
• Therapeutic education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chadwell Heath

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As a Multi Academy Trust, Astrum receives government funding for educating pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Revenue is derived from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and local authority SEND funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Astrum MAT operates specialist SEND schools (Hatchside Academy and Newbridge Academy) and the Astrum College – Project Search transitional internship programme, delivering integrated educational, therapeutic, and vocational support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including SLD and PMLD. Services are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the London Borough of Redbridge and delivered in partnership with NHS (NELFT) and other agencies.

Product overview

Astrum Multi Academy Trust is an educational organization providing specialized education services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The trust operates a network of schools including Hatchside Academy (infant and junior school) and Newbridge Academy, along with Astrum College - Project Search, a transitional internship program that helps young adults with SEND gain employment experience through hospital placements. Additional offerings include Therapy & Outreach Services and Partnerships & Specialist Services, all designed to provide holistic educational support. The trust serves the Redbridge, Essex area from its base at 161 Gresham Drive, Chadwell Heath.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Astrum College - Project Search: A programme providing internship and employment preparation for young adults with SEND, partnered with Barking Havering Redbridge University Hospital Trust

Products and services

• Hatchside Academy Infant and junior school provision delivering education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as part of the Astrum MAT network.
• Newbridge Academy Academy school within the Astrum MAT network delivering SEND education services to pupils.
• Astrum College – Project Search Transitional internship programme helping young adults with SEND gain employment experience through rotational placements at partner organisations such as King George Hospital, developing workplace skills across healthcare departments in partnership with Barking Havering Redbridge University Hospital Trust.
• Therapy & Outreach Services Specialised therapeutic support services delivered to pupils with SEND across the trust, including NHS (NELFT) partnerships for integrated health and educational support.
• Partnerships & Specialist Services Collaborative services spanning partnerships with NELFT (NHS), the Children with Disabilities Team (LBR), Redbridge Education Partnership, and other organisations to provide comprehensive multi-agency support for pupils with SEND.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NELFT (NHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS community healthcare provider partnership for integrated health and educational support services.
• Children with Disabilities Team LBRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority social care team partnership for coordinating support for children with disabilities.
• Redbridge Education Partnership (REP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal education partnership for collaborative educational initiatives and school improvement.
• DfN Project Search / Barking Havering Redbridge University Hospital TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational internship program providing work experience placements for SEND students in healthcare settings at King George Hospital.
• LBR SEND Partnership BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority strategic board for SEND services coordination and policy development.
• North East London Teaching School Hub (NELTSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching school hub providing professional development and educational leadership support.
• ELKLANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunication training and support for staff working with students with speech, language and communication needs.
• Empowering Parents Together (EPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent support organization providing resources and training for families of children with SEND.
• Pan-London PMLD NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist network for schools serving students with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
• LBR Connexions and WORK RedbridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth career and employment service providing transition support for young people with SEND.
• New City CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurther education college providing health and social care placement opportunities for students.
• London Metropolitan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for trainee teacher, social worker, and occupational therapist placements.
• London South Bank UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for trainee teacher, social worker, and occupational therapist placements.
• CEO Network for SEND and AP trustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer network of chief executives from SEND and Alternative Provision academy trusts.
• NNoSS - National Network of Special SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network providing best practice sharing and professional development for special schools.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs): UK membership and policy body supporting the SEND workforce and schools. Not a direct operator, but a sector ecosystem player Astrum engages with through partnerships and a useful benchmark for SEND education trends and CPD standards.

Broad incumbents

• Hesley Group: Independent specialist education and care provider serving children and adults with autism and complex learning difficulties. Comparable SEND cohort (SLD, PMLD) and similar emphasis on lifelong pathways from school through to adulthood.
• Witherslack Group: One of the UK's largest independent specialist education providers, operating 40+ schools and residential homes for children with SEND including autism, SLD, and PMLD. Directly comparable service offering at significantly greater scale than Astrum MAT.
• Outcomes First Group: Major UK SEND education provider running 60+ schools, colleges, and residential homes for children and adults with complex needs. Competes with Astrum for the same EHCP-funded placements in the London/South East market.
• National Autistic Society: Large UK charity running schools, residential services, and adult services for autistic individuals. Overlaps with Astrum in autism-specific education and transition support, but operates a much broader portfolio across the UK.
• Kisimul Group: Independent specialist provider of residential and day education for children and young people with autism, SLD, and PMLD. Comparable complex-needs SEND cohort with integrated residential/day model overlapping Astrum's outreach and therapy services.

Direct peers

• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity operating specialist schools (TreeHouse, Ambitious College) and post-16 provisions for autistic and SEND learners. Most directly comparable to Astrum's Hatchside/Newbridge and Astrum College model, sharing a focus on complex needs and transition-to-employment outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astrum-mat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 Astrum MAT