Desmond Anderson Primary Academy

What Desmond Anderson Primary Academy does

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is a state-funded primary school located in Crawley, West Sussex, England, serving children from Nursery age (3-4) through Year 6 (ages 4-11). The academy is part of REAch2 Academy Trust, the UK's largest primary-only academy trust, which provides governance, curriculum resources, and operational support across its network of over 65 schools. Core educational delivery follows the UK National Curriculum through structured programmes including White Rose Maths (mastery mathematics), Sounds-Write (phonics), Talk for Writing (writing methodology), and Real PE (physical education), supplemented by specialist Chelsea FC Foundation coaching. The school operates a Specialist Support Centre providing dedicated SEND provision for 20 children with Education Health Care Plans across two mixed-age classes, using TEACCH methodology and Zones of Regulation pedagogy.

The academy's infrastructure includes a Forest School programme with accredited staff delivering outdoor learning across a conservation area with pond, sensory garden, Solar Dome, and outdoor classroom. Revenue is generated primarily through government per-pupil funding allocated via West Sussex County Council, supplemented by Pupil Premium and PE/Sport Premium grants. Nursery provision accepts Early Years Free Entitlement funding (15 or 30 hours weekly) with additional paid sessions at £18 per 3-hour session or £36 per 6.5-hour all-day session. Wrap-around care (breakfast and after-school clubs) is operated by Junior Adventures Group (JAG) on school premises under a channel partnership arrangement. School meals are provided by Chartwells and paid through the ParentPay system, with free hot lunches available to Reception, Year 1, Year 2, and pupil premium recipients. The school's distribution channel for mainstream admissions is exclusively through the local authority common application process, with SEND placements allocated via West Sussex County Council's SEND processes.

The leadership team is headed by Headteacher Mrs Managey Powys, supported by Vice Principal Mr David Leake and SENDCo/SSC Lead Ms Charley Barr. The academy recently transitioned into REAch2 Academy Trust governance and launched a new school website in February 2026. Academic outcomes for 2023/24 include 73% of pupils achieving Good Level of Development in EYFS, 72% at Expected Standard in Year 1 Phonics, and 47% Combined Expected Standard in Year 6 Reading, Writing and Maths. The school is not publicly traded and operates as a charitable not-for-profit academy under the REAch2 Trust umbrella.

Name

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy

Legal name

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy

Website

https://desmondandersonprimaryacademy.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is a state-funded primary school in Crawley, West Sussex, serving children aged 3-11 across Nursery, Reception, and Years 1-6, including a Specialist Support Centre for 20 pupils with EHCPs. It operates under REAch2 Academy Trust, the UK's largest primary-only academy trust, delivering the National Curriculum through structured programmes with Forest School and SEND specialist provision.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Literacy & ELA Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Primary education
• Early years education
• Special educational needs
• Forest school programme
• Wrap-around childcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Crawley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nursery Fees: Fee-based childcare for non-funded sessions and additional hours beyond the free entitlement. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free hot lunches provided by Chartwells.
2. Early Years Free Entitlement Funding: Government funding for 15 hours (Universal FE) or 30 hours (Extended FE) per week for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. The nursery claims this funding on behalf of families for up to 38 weeks term time.
3. Wrap Around Care: Breakfast and After School Club services provided by Junior Adventures Group (JAG), operated independently with separate booking and fees.
4. Government Per-Pupil Funding: Mainstream education funding from government for Reception through Year 6, based on pupil numbers and characteristics.
5. Pupil Premium: Additional government funding to support disadvantaged pupils and children of armed forces personnel, intended to raise attainment.
6. PE and Sport Premium: Government funding to improve physical education and sports participation for pupils in Years 1 to 6.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is a primary school providing education for children from Nursery (age 3) through Year 6 (age 11), located in Crawley, West Sussex, England. The school delivers mainstream primary education supplemented by a dedicated Specialist Support Centre (SSC) for 20 children with Education Health Care Plans, a Forest School outdoor learning programme, wrap-around care through Junior Adventures Group, and structured curriculum programmes including Sounds-Write phonics, White Rose Maths, Talk for Writing, and Real PE. The school operates as part of REAch2 Academy Trust.

Product overview

Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is a primary school offering a unified educational service spanning Reception to Year 6 (ages 4-11), supplemented by an on-site Nursery for children aged 3-4 and a Specialist Support Centre (SSC) for pupils with Education Health Care Plans. The academy delivers the UK National Curriculum through core subject programmes including White Rose Maths (mastery mathematics), Sounds-Write (phonics reading programme), Talk for Writing (writing methodology), and Real PE (physical education with Chelsea FC coaching). Additional educational offerings include Forest School outdoor learning, wrap-around care via Junior Adventures Group, and extra-curricular clubs. The school operates under REAch2 Academy Trust and is located in Crawley, West Sussex.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Specialist Support Centre (SSC): A department within the mainstream school providing specialist support to children with education health care plans (EHCP), organized into two mixed age classes: Otter class (EYFS and KS1) and Badger class (KS2)
• Desmond Anderson Nursery

Products and services

• Desmond Anderson Nursery Early years education for children aged 3-4, offering free flow access to a garden area with climbing equipment, mud kitchen, and outdoor activities. Accepts Early Years Free Entitlement (15 or 30 hours weekly) with additional paid sessions available at £18 per 3-hour session or £36 per 6.5-hour session.
• Primary Education (Reception to Year 6) Mainstream primary education for children from Reception through Year 6 (ages 4-11). School operates 32 hours 30 minutes per week, delivering the UK National Curriculum through structured programmes including Sounds-Write phonics, White Rose Maths mastery, Talk for Writing, and Real PE. Free hot lunches provided to Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 pupils.
• Specialist Support Centre (SSC) A dedicated department within the mainstream school providing specialist support to 20 children with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). Organised into two mixed-age classes: Otter class (EYFS and Key Stage 1) and Badger class (Key Stage 2). Uses TEACCH methodology and Zones of Regulation pedagogy, with dedicated facilities including a speech and language therapy room, sensory space, early years play room, and small group room.
• Forest School Child-led outdoor learning approach led by highly-trained accredited Forest School staff. Sessions run consecutively throughout the year to immerse children in nature and deepen understanding of flora, fauna, and the natural environment. The school has a large green space with a conservation area with pond, wildlife, sensory garden, Solar Dome, and outdoor classroom.
• Clubs and Wrap-Around Care Extra-curricular clubs complementing the curriculum including arts, crafts, and active play for school children. Wrap-around care provided by Junior Adventures Group (JAG) offering Rise Then Shine breakfast clubs and Stay and Play after school clubs for children aged 4-11, with separate booking and fees managed directly by JAG.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of pupils achieved Good Level of Development in EYFS (2023/24)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• REAch2 Academy TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesmond Anderson Primary Academy is part of REAch2 Academy Trust, the UK's largest primary-only academy trust with over 65 schools. The trust provides governance, shared policies, curriculum resources, professional development, and operational support. The CEO is Cathie Paine. The trust is guided by Touchstones values: Integrity, Responsibility, Inclusion, Enjoyment, Inspiration, Learning and Leadership.
• ChartwellscoreOthers
• Cool MilkminorOthers
• Junior Adventures Group (JAG)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJunior Adventures Group operates Breakfast Club (Rise Then Shine) and After School Club (Stay and Play) on school premises for children aged 4-11. Services run daily throughout the academic year. All enquiries and bookings are made directly with JAG.
• Chelsea FC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChelsea FC Foundation coaches deliver the games strand of PE curriculum, following Power of PE planning to ensure children are exposed to a range of sports throughout the year with progressive skill development.
• White Rose MathscoreOthersWhite Rose Maths mastery approach is used to support the teaching of mathematics, where topics are taught in depth over longer periods allowing for mastering of concepts before moving to next sequence.
• Sounds WritecoreOthersSounds Write is a highly structured, multi-sensory approach to teaching children to read and spelling. Used whole class five days a week in KS1 by trained teachers, with KS2 spelling lessons following the same lesson structure.
• Real PE (Create Development)coreOthers
• REAch TeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAch Teach is the teacher training programme of REAch2 Academy Trust, providing QTS and PGCE with 60 Master's level credits through Bath Spa University. Trainees gain hands-on classroom experience from day one with expert mentors.
• ParentPaycoreTechnology or IntegrationParentPay is used for online school meal payments, allowing parents to pay for school meals and other school charges securely.
• Taylor Made Uniforms and My Clothing LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool uniform is available to purchase from Taylor Made Uniforms and My Clothing Limited, the approved school uniform suppliers.
• West Sussex County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSCC manages the admissions process for Reception applications through their common application form (CAF). In-year admissions are also processed through WSCC. The school is in Crawley within West Sussex.
• East Sussex County CouncilminorOthers
• Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) TeamcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ark Schools: UK multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary academies with a focus on curriculum design and pupil outcomes. Comparable in running non-profit state-funded academies with shared pedagogical frameworks.
• United Learning: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts operating primary, secondary, and special schools. Comparable in operating a portfolio of state-funded academies with shared curriculum and back-office functions.
• Academies Enterprise Trust: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts operating primary and secondary academies nationally. Comparable in delivering mainstream and SEND education at scale through a centralized trust structure.
• Harris Federation: Large UK multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies, including schools in the South East. Comparable in delivering mainstream and SEND provision through a trust-level operating model.
• Haberdashers' Aske's Federation: Federation of primary and secondary schools in the UK with a strong inclusion and SEND heritage. Comparable in operating state-funded schools with dedicated specialist provision and trust-level governance.
• Oasis Community Learning: Large UK multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies with a community-focused ethos. Comparable in operating as a non-profit MAT delivering mainstream and inclusive education across multiple sites.

Direct peers

• REAch2 Academy Trust: Parent multi-academy trust and the largest primary-only MAT in the UK, operating 60+ primary schools including Desmond Anderson. Operationally, governance, and curriculum structure are directly comparable.

Regional players

• Kemnal Academies Trust: Primary-focused multi-academy trust operating across the South East of England including Sussex and Kent. Comparable as a regional MAT serving similar geographic communities with primary-age pupils.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/desmond-anderson-primary-academy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Desmond Anderson Primary Academy