Derby Cathedral School
Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form in Derby, UK, operating within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust and serving students aged 11–18 with GCSE, A-Level and enrichment programmes anchored in Christian distinctiveness.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersDerby, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Derby Cathedral School does
Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form located in Derby, England, operating as an academy within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT). The school opened in 2018, relocated to a new purpose-built campus at Great Northern Road in September 2021, and serves students aged 11–18 across Years 7–13. Its customer base comprises secondary students (Years 7–11) preparing for GCSEs, Sixth Form students (Years 12–13) studying A-Levels and vocational qualifications, and their parents/carers as engagement stakeholders. The school's operating geographies are concentrated in Derby, United Kingdom, with no international footprint.
The school's product portfolio includes academic qualifications (GCSE Short Course Religious Studies with AQA; OCR A-Level Philosophy, Ethics and Developments in Christian Thought; Core Maths; EPQ; and 25+ Sixth Form subjects) and an enrichment layer covering the Scholars Programme (Brilliant Club), Year 10 Work Experience Week, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, Lessons from Auschwitz Project, The Hub Christian Union, bell ringing at Derby Cathedral, and various clubs. The school integrates third-party platforms — ClassCharts and MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) for parent communication and behavior management, ParentPay for payments, BBC Bitesize and Accelerated Reader for learning resources, and AQA/OCR exam boards — but does not disclose any proprietary technology or AI capability. The technology stack is administrative and pedagogical tooling rather than a differentiated platform.
Revenue mechanics are predominantly state-funded via DDAT per-pupil grants; the school does not publicly disclose standalone revenue. Ancillary revenue streams include on-site catering at £2.50 per meal deal (hot meal, pudding and drink; free school meal allowance accepted) and uniform distribution through appointed supplier Morleys Schoolwear. The go-to-market is admissions-driven via the DDAT process, with marketing executed through the school's website, newsletters, social media, and Year 6 Open Evenings using Eventbrite. Distribution channels are domestic-only: direct admissions, on-site catering, and Morleys Schoolwear. The school is privately classified (academy) and operating, with no funding rounds, M&A activity, or external equity ownership disclosed.
Derby Cathedral School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Derby Cathedral School
- Legal name
- Derby Cathedral School
- Website
- https://derbycathedralschool.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form in Derby, UK, operating within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust and serving students aged 11–18 with GCSE, A-Level and enrichment programmes anchored in Christian distinctiveness.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Derby Cathedral School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where Derby Cathedral School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Derby
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Derby Cathedral School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | School Meal Deal |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Derby Cathedral School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form that delivers full-time education to students aged 11-18, offering GCSE qualifications at Key Stage 4 and A-Levels plus vocational courses (Applied Science, BTEC equivalents, EPQ) at Sixth Form. The school combines academic study with a distinctive Christian spiritual development programme (Windows, Mirrors and Doors), pastoral care, careers guidance and a wide enrichment portfolio including Scholars Programme, Work Experience Week, Duke of Edinburgh, Lessons from Auschwitz and bell ringing at Derby Cathedral.
Product overview
Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form offering a comprehensive academic curriculum alongside extensive enrichment programmes. The school provides GCSE qualifications including Short Course Religious Studies, A Level qualifications (OCR Philosophy and Ethics), and additional study options such as Core Maths and EPQ. The school's product portfolio includes academic qualifications delivered through specialist teaching, enrichment programmes including the Scholars Programme, Work Experience Week, and The Hub Christian Union, as well as pastoral care services, collective worship, and the Learning Resources Centre. The school integrates with parent communication platforms (ClassCharts, MCAS, ParentPay) and educational resources (BBC Bitesize, Accelerated Reader, Mathletics, AQA/OCR exam boards) to deliver its educational mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GCSE Short Course Religious Studies Compulsory AQA GCSE Short Course Religious Studies studied by all students with weekly lessons, focusing on beliefs and practices of Christianity and Judaism alongside ethical themes including peace, war and conflict.
- OCR A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Developments in Christian Thought Advanced OCR A Level qualification in Philosophy, Ethics and Developments in Christian Thought offered at Sixth Form, preparing students for university-level religious studies and philosophy.
- Core Maths (Additional Study) Additional mathematics qualification for Sixth Form students who have passed GCSE Mathematics but are not studying AS/A Level Mathematics, focusing on personal finance and statistical techniques.
- EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) Additional Sixth Form qualification where students undertake an extended independent research project, valued as preparation for university applications and developing independent study skills.
- Year 10 Work Experience Week Work experience placement programme giving Year 10 students first-hand exposure to the world of work, with placements arranged at local employers across Derby.
- Collective Worship Programme Daily spiritual development programme integrating tutor time and gathered sessions following the Windows, Mirrors and Doors structure, creating meaningful shared spiritual experiences.
- The Hub Christian Union Student Christian Union providing opportunities to explore faith in a supportive community setting through discussion, prayer, worship and service projects.
- Lessons from Auschwitz Project Year 12 Holocaust education programme in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust, including a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau and sharing experiences with the wider school community.
- Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Skills, volunteering and expedition award programme for students, with bell ringing at Derby Cathedral contributing to the skills and volunteering sections.
- Learning Resources Centre (LRC) School library and study hub offering reading support, study resources, the Accelerated Reader programme and student competitions.
- Sixth Form (Years 12-13) Post-16 education offering 25+ A-Level subjects plus vocational pathways, EPQ and Core Maths, with structured 16-19 Study Programme preparing students for university, apprenticeships or employment.
- School Meal Deal On-site catering offering a meal deal priced at £2.50 including a hot meal, pudding and drink, with free school meal allowance accepted for eligible students.
Companies that use Derby Cathedral School
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Derby Cathedral School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Derby Cathedral School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT)coreParent academy trust governing Derby Cathedral School. The school is proud to be part of DDAT which manages the school's governance, admissions, and strategic direction.
- Derby CathedralcoreStrong institutional relationship including student choir membership, annual services (Easter, Christmas, Welcome Services, Leavers Services), curriculum enrichment across subjects (Drama, Music, Science RE), and staff training. In 2023-24, all Year 7 students participate in weekly singing lessons through the 'music in schools' project.
- Holocaust Educational TrustmajorPartnership ensuring authentic and sensitive Holocaust education. Year 12 students participate in the 'Lessons from Auschwitz Project', visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and sharing experiences with the wider school community.
- NATRE (National Association of Teachers of Religious Education)minorProfessional network membership providing termly magazines and online forums to keep current with national RE developments.
- University of NottinghamminorVisits to school for careers events. Professor Chris Greenhalgh delivered talk to Year 12 Computer Science students on Computer Science as a career and research area.
- St Edmund Hall, Oxford UniversityminorLinked Oxford college partnership providing careers guidance and higher education information to Years 11 and 12, including sessions on university applications and dispelling myths around Oxford/Cambridge.
- Nottingham CollegeminorPost-16 options assembly delivered to Year 11 students covering A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational courses and apprenticeships.
- Network Rail and British Transport PoliceminorRailway safety education partnership delivering assemblies on the 'You vs Train' campaign to educate students on dangers of trespassing on railway tracks.
- AquAidminorWater cooler supplier with unique relationship where each purchase results in a donation to The Africa Trust for building Elephant Pumps providing clean water in Africa. School name displayed on installed wells.
- BAM (Construction Company)minorFor Year 10 students not on external work experience, BAM ran the Zero Carbon Challenge where students redesigned the tea room at Avoncroft Museum with daily Teams calls with BAM representatives.
- ASK ApprenticeshipsminorGovernment-funded organisation delivering apprenticeship awareness workshops to Year 11 students on apprenticeship opportunities and application process.
- Toyota (Apprenticeships)minorDerby's major employer providing apprenticeship assembly for Year 11 covering Production and Maintenance apprenticeship opportunities.
- ArtcoreminorArts organisation that funded and facilitated the Year 9 bee sculpture project with professional artist Ruth Lewis-Jones.
- Brilliant Club (Scholars Programme)minorProgramme providing Year 9 students with university-style tutorials with PhD tutors. Launch trip to University of Nottingham.
- Routes into LanguagesminorProgramme supporting language learning. Two Year 9 students became regional finalists in Spanish Translation Bee competition.
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Derby Cathedral School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Littleover Community School: A non-faith secondary school serving the Derby area, competing for the same Year 7 admissions pool. Comparable in size and curriculum breadth but lacks a faith-based distinctiveness.
- Derby Grammar School: Independent boys' school in Derby providing secondary education with strong pastoral care and enrichment. Regional peer serving similar middle-class Derby families seeking alternative provision to state comprehensives.
- Repton School: Historic independent school in Derbyshire with strong Christian heritage and cathedral/town links. Comparable in faith-based ethos and tradition, though positioned as a premium independent rather than state-funded academy.
- Woodlands School (Allestree): A state secondary school in the Allestree area of Derby, directly competing for Year 7 admissions. Comparable in scale and curriculum, but without a faith-based distinguishing feature.
- Trent College: Independent school in Derbyshire offering secondary and sixth form education with Christian heritage. Comparable in serving Derby-area families seeking values-led secondary education, though in the independent sector.
Emerging players
- Ormiston Academies Trust: A large multi-academy trust operating multiple secondary schools across England. Comparable as a sponsor employer of academy schools with similar governance scale to DDAT from which DCS could potentially expand.
- South Derbyshire Multi-Academy Trust: Regional multi-academy trust operating secondary schools in the South Derbyshire area. Comparable governance structure and peer MAT model for benchmarking DCS's multi-academy trust operations.
Direct peers
- All Saints CofE Academy (Derby): A Church of England secondary school in Derby operating under similar faith-based ethos, serving the same local demographic. Direct peer in the Derby CofE secondary segment with similar admissions and curriculum structure.
- Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT): DDAT is the multi-academy trust that owns and governs Derby Cathedral School, and operates other Church of England schools across the Derby region. It is the closest comparable entity as the school's parent, sharing governance, ethos, and funding model.
- St Benedict Catholic School: A faith-based secondary school in Derby, directly competing with Derby Cathedral School for faith-oriented families in the same catchment. Comparable in offering a values-led, religious education alternative to local comprehensives.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Derby Cathedral School social profiles
Digital presenceDerby Cathedral School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Derby Cathedral School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Derby Cathedral School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Derby Cathedral School 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 Derby Cathedral School
What does Derby Cathedral School do?
Derby Cathedral School is a Church of England secondary school and Sixth Form that delivers full-time education to students aged 11-18, offering GCSE qualifications at Key Stage 4 and A-Levels plus vocational courses (Applied Science, BTEC equivalents, EPQ) at Sixth Form. The school combines academic study with a distinctive Christian spiritual development programme (Windows, Mirrors and Doors), pastoral care, careers guidance and a wide enrichment portfolio including Scholars Programme, Work Experience Week, Duke of Edinburgh, Lessons from Auschwitz and bell ringing at Derby Cathedral.
Is Derby Cathedral School a public or private company?
Derby Cathedral School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Derby Cathedral School founded?
Derby Cathedral School was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Derby Cathedral School based?
Derby Cathedral School is headquartered in Derby, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are Derby Cathedral School's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Littleover Community School, Derby Grammar School, Repton School, Woodlands School (Allestree) and Trent College. Emerging players are Ormiston Academies Trust and South Derbyshire Multi-Academy Trust. Direct peers are All Saints CofE Academy (Derby), Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) and St Benedict Catholic School.
Does Derby Cathedral School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Derby Cathedral School.
What industry is Derby Cathedral School in?
Derby Cathedral School's product category is Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAC, Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAKAG, Christian Colleges with Theological Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.