Cheviot Learning Trust

What Cheviot Learning Trust does

Cheviot Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust and registered charity formed in September 2023 through the merger of Tyne Community Learning Trust and Three Rivers Learning Trust. It operates 18 schools across Northumberland in north-east England, educating more than 5,500 students aged 2 to 19 through a mix of 10 first schools, 5 middle schools and 2 high schools, supported by a workforce of over 750 staff and more than 150 governance volunteers. The trust is headquartered at Sir Bobby Robson House, Esh Plaza, Newcastle upon Tyne, and runs two service divisions: the Three Rivers Teaching School Hub, one of 87 DfE-designated centres of excellence delivering initial teacher training, Early Career Teacher induction and accredited National Professional Qualifications, and the Three Rivers Professional Development Institute, which provides continuing professional development including webinars, leadership programmes, conferences and bespoke school-to-school support.

The trust's revenue model is anchored in per-pupil government funding from the Department for Education, supplemented by external fees from PDI services sold to schools outside the trust. Member schools retain operational autonomy while drawing on shared central resources, capital funding, school-improvement support, and curriculum networks. Operational capabilities include DfE-aligned teacher training pipelines, in-house wellbeing and SEND expertise, and an active school-improvement programme demonstrated by 9 of 18 schools receiving 'Good' Ofsted inspections post-merger. Capital investment has funded window replacement, building refurbishment, and decarbonisation works including air source heat pump and solar installations.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: schools are invited to join via a structured 5-stage process, governance is reinforced through annual governance conferences and an active governor recruitment campaign (including a partnership with Inspiring Governance's 'Everyone on Board'), and outreach to parents and staff is conducted via the trust website, email newsletter, LinkedIn and earned media. Leadership transitioned in mid-2026 with the departure of CEO Alice Witherow (OBE) and COO Mark Tait, and the appointment of Glen Whitehead as Interim CEO.

Name

Cheviot Learning Trust

Legal name

Cheviot Learning Trust

Website

https://cheviotlearningtrust.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cheviot Learning Trust is a Northumberland multi-academy trust formed in 2023, operating 18 schools educating 5,500+ students aged 2-19 and delivering teacher training and CPD via the Three Rivers Teaching School Hub and Professional Development Institute.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education (Multi-Academy Trust)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Education (EDADALAD)

Keywords

• Academy trust services
• Primary secondary education
• Teacher training programs
• Professional development education
• School improvement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle upon Tyne

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As an academy trust, Cheviot Learning Trust receives government funding from the Department for Education to educate over 5500 students across 18 schools. Funding is used for school operations, capital projects, and staff salaries.
2. Professional Development Services: The Three Rivers PDI offers professional development opportunities that are accessible and affordable, including online webinars, leadership programmes, specialist conferences and bespoke school support. Revenue from external school participants supplements trust activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cheviot Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust that operates 18 schools across Northumberland educating over 5,500 students aged 2-19 and employing over 750 staff. It delivers primary, middle and secondary education directly through its schools, and provides teacher training and continuing professional development externally via the Three Rivers Teaching School Hub and the Three Rivers Professional Development Institute.

Product overview

Cheviot Learning Trust is a single unified education trust (not a modular platform) that operates a network of 18 schools across Northumberland. The trust is structured around its central trust organization plus two key service divisions: the Three Rivers Teaching School Hub (teacher training and NPQ delivery) and the Three Rivers Professional Development Institute (CPD programmes for existing educators). These services enable professional and innovative networks that develop educational excellence across all member schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Three Rivers Teaching School Hub: A centre of excellence for teacher development, operating as part of Cheviot Learning Trust.
• Three Rivers Professional Development Institute (PDI)

Products and services

• Cheviot Learning Trust schools network A network of 18 schools across Northumberland educating over 5,500 students aged 2-19 and employing over 750 staff. Comprised of 2 High Schools, 5 Middle Schools, 10 First Schools and the Three Rivers Teaching School Hub, providing state-funded primary, middle and secondary education delivered with shared central support and individual school autonomy.
• Three Rivers Teaching School Hub A DfE-designated centre of excellence for teacher training and development, delivering Initial Teacher Training, Early Career Teacher induction, and accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) across the North East region. Operates from The King Edward VI School as the lead school under the umbrella of Cheviot Learning Trust.
• Three Rivers Professional Development Institute (PDI) A flexible programme of continuing professional development designed with and for schools, offering online webinars, leadership development programmes, specialist conferences, professional networks and bespoke school-to-school support. Open to educators across the region on an affordable basis, with revenue from external school participants supplementing trust activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 out of 18 trust schools received 'Good' Ofsted inspections following merger
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sunderland CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Provided Washington campus for temporary relocation of Prudhoe Community High School students following structural safety concerns. The college campus was purpose-built for educational purposes with specialist facilities including kitchens and examination spaces.
• Hutchison CateringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025New catering partnership announced for trust schools in 2025.
• Still HumancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Workplace wellbeing specialist partnered with the trust to provide high-quality training, develop policy approach, and enhance wellbeing systems. Delivered Wellbeing Champion training to leaders across all schools, created Staff Wellbeing Charter, and conducts ongoing support sessions and staff development workshops.
• D3 AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with Cheviot Learning Trust for window replacement project at Ovingham Middle School. The trust secured School Condition Allowance Funding and worked with D3 Associates to deliver full replacement of all windows, curtain walling and external doors across the site in multiple phases.
• EddisonsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with the trust on the decarbonisation programme at Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School, which replaced heating infrastructure with air source heat pump system, supported by insulation, solar panels and upgraded electrical infrastructure.
• ASK PsychologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered specialist Emotionally Based School Anxiety (EBSA) training to Attendance Leads across trust schools, focusing on early intervention, understanding school anxiety, and home-school partnerships.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Academy Transformation Trust: A multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary academies across the Midlands and East of England. Comparable to Cheviot as a similarly sized MAT with a regional school portfolio and central improvement functions.
• Ormiston Academies Trust: A national multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies across England. Directly comparable to Cheviot in operating model, school-age cohort and central trust support structure.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: One of the largest multi-academy trusts in the North of England operating a network of primary and secondary academies. Highly comparable to Cheviot in operating model, age cohort and regional footprint.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: A primary-focused multi-academy trust operating a large national network of primary academies. Comparable to Cheviot in operating multiple schools under a unified trust with shared central services.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: A multi-academy trust running a portfolio of primary and secondary academies across the Midlands. Comparable to Cheviot in operating multiple schools under a unified central trust with regional focus.
• Oasis Community Learning: One of the largest multi-academy trusts in England operating academy schools nationally with a focus on community hubs. Comparable to Cheviot's community-led governance model and integrated services approach.
• Northern Education Trust: A multi-academy trust operating multiple primary and secondary schools across the North of England, directly comparable to Cheviot in regional focus, school-age cohort and trust operating model.
• E-ACT: A national multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies across multiple English regions. Directly comparable to Cheviot as a similarly structured academy trust delivering state-funded education through a school network.

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: A large national group of independent and academy schools operating across England. Comparable to Cheviot as a multi-academy trust with a broad school portfolio and central professional development infrastructure.
• Harris Federation: A large multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary academies, primarily in London and the South East. Comparable to Cheviot as a national MAT running a network of schools with central support functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheviot-learning-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Cheviot Learning Trust