Education Plus NE

What Education Plus NE does

Education Plus NE Ltd is a North East England-based alternative education provider, founded in 2013 by Kevin Wake within Teesdale YMCA alongside co-founders John Pratt and John Southeran. The company delivers alternative provision for pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural needs (SEMH) who have disengaged from mainstream education due to challenging behaviour, poor attendance, or pending EHCP assessment. Operating from four dedicated centres in Meadowfield (Durham Nurture Provision, Durham School's Provision), Shildon (Dedicated Woodlands Centre), and Middlesbrough (Teesside Centre), it serves more than 100 students per day and partners with over 50 schools and academies plus four local authorities (Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, Sunderland, Stockton).

The service architecture spans three integrated lines: Placements (offered as annual block bookings or per-term bespoke placements, with students attending 2-3 days per week), Consultancy (curriculum planning, behaviour management, team building delivered by senior leadership), and QA and Inspections (external quality assurance using qualified Ofsted inspectors). Curriculum is differentiated into three KS3 pathways (Main, Turnaround, Nurture provision) and two KS4 tracks (GCSE-ready with BTEC vocational qualifications, or FSK Maths/English plus ASDAN residential accredited qualification). Vocational activities span horse riding, construction, farming, cookery, hair and beauty, art and design, and sports, delivered through partnerships with Bowlees Education Farm, Evolve Sport Academy, and others. The organisation holds ASDAN accreditation enabling it to award recognised qualifications in-house.

Revenue is generated through placement fees (annual subscriptions or per-term pay-as-you-go), consultancy engagements, and QA/inspection service fees. The go-to-market is exclusively direct-to-institution — schools and local authorities download referral forms and engage directors Kevin Wake (Durham enquiries) or John Pratt (Teesside enquiries) directly. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are negotiated bespoke. The company is bootstrapped and founder-owned (private limited company, registration number 10424731), with no external investment, subsidiaries, or M&A activity. Reported outcomes include 96% KS3 attendance improvement, 100% GCSE Maths/English pass rates for KS4 students, and 100% Year 11 progression into further education or training.

Name

Education Plus NE

Legal name

Education Plus NE Ltd

Website

https://educationplusne.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Education Plus NE is an alternative education provider in North East England operating four centres that deliver SEMH-focused placements, consultancy, and QA services to over 100 students daily, partnering with 50+ schools and four local authorities across Durham and Teesside.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Education Provision Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative Schools (Behavioral/Disciplinary & Nontraditional Settings) (EDAJAEAC)

Keywords

• Alternative education provision
• School placement services
• SEMH student support
• Education consultancy
• Ofsted inspection support

Headquarters

HQ city

Meadowfield, Durham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Alternative Education Placements: Schools and local authorities purchase placement services for students with social, emotional, and behavioural needs. Placements are offered on annual or per-term basis, with flexibility for schools to refer multiple students across an academic year.
2. Consultancy Services: Bespoke consultancy services provided to schools and individuals, including curriculum planning, behaviour management, team building, and action planning. Provided by senior leadership team with expertise in alternative provision.
3. QA and Inspections Services: External independent inspection support and quality assurance services for organisations, helping quality assure current provision and support development areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Education Plus NE provides alternative education placements for KS3 and KS4 students with social, emotional and behavioural needs across four centres in North East England, offered as annual or per-term packages. Complementary services include senior-leadership-led consultancy (curriculum, behaviour, team building) and QA/Ofsted inspection support to schools and local authorities. Vocational programmes (construction, farming, horse riding, cookery, hair and beauty, art, sport) and ASDAN/GCSE qualifications are integrated into placements.

Product overview

Education Plus NE is an alternative education provider operating as a single unified service offering across four physical centres in Meadowfield (Durham Nurture Provision, Durham School's Provision), Shildon (Dedicated Woodlands Centre), and Middlesbrough (Teesside Centre). The core offering consists of three integrated service lines: Placements (annual and per-term options for KS3 and KS4 students with social, emotional, and behavioural needs), Consultancy (senior leadership support for curriculum and behaviour management), and QA and Inspections (external quality assurance). The placements are differentiated into KS3 referral options (Main, Turnaround, Nurture) and KS4 programmes (GCSE-focused and Vocational tracks), with all students accessing vocational activities and ASDAN/GCSE qualifications. Partnerships with over 50 schools and 4 local authorities form the distribution network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Placements Service (Annual and Per-Term Alternative Education Placements) Alternative education placements for KS3 and KS4 students with social, emotional and behavioural needs, offered as Annual Placements (flexible block bookings across an academic year) or Per-Term bespoke placements (short-term respite, re-engagement, EHCP assessment support, or capacity increase). Students attend 2-3 days per week with regular academic and pastoral progress updates. Sold to schools and local authorities.
• Consultancy Service Bespoke consultancy for schools and individuals, delivered by the senior leadership team. Areas covered include curriculum planning, challenging behaviour management, team building, identifying strengths and areas for development, and action planning. Includes specialist leaders in education coaching for school leaders (e.g. pastoral AHT development).
• QA and Inspections Service Quality assurance and inspection support working with qualified Ofsted inspectors to benchmark performance. Offers external independent inspections, quality assurance of current provision, and development support for organisations seeking to improve or prepare for inspection.
• KS3 Referral Options (Main, Turnaround, and Nurture Provision) Three specialised referral pathways for KS3 (Years 7-9) students: Main Provision (core curriculum with vocational opportunities), Turnaround Provision (personalised study keeping students connected to host school curriculum), and Nurture Provision (specialist quiet environment with smaller staff-to-student ratios for vulnerable students). Delivered at the Durham centres.
• KS4 Academic Programme (GCSE-focused placement) Monday-Wednesday placement for GCSE-ready KS4 students covering GCSE English and Maths plus BTEC qualifications in vocational areas (BTEC Sport, BTEC Construction) and life skills sessions. Delivered primarily at the Durham centres.
• KS4 Vocational Programme (ASDAN/Functional Skills track) Thursday-Friday alternative placement for harder-to-reach KS4 students featuring Functional Skills Maths and English combined with ASDAN residential accredited qualification and wider life exposure activities.
• Vocational Activities Programme Vocational activity programme including horse riding, construction, cookery, educational visits, hair and beauty, and art and design, enabling students to develop practical skills and explore career pathways as part of placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of KS3 students improve attendance
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Animal StoryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Interactive animal encounter sessions for students featuring reptiles, tortoise, and skunk. Educational visits allowing students to learn about different species, habitats, behaviours, and animal care.
• Bowlees Education FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Regular weekly visits to Bowlees Farm starting September 2025. Students attend every Friday for farm tasks, countryside walks with dogs, animal care, and team activities. Provides hands-on vocational learning and outdoor adventure experiences.
• The Royal Regiment of FusilierscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Education Plus NE received a Certificate of Appreciation as a Friend of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, recognising ongoing support and contribution. Students have been involved in memorial garden work for veterans charity.
• Evolve Sport AcademyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Partnership for sports activities and competitive events including dodgeball matches at Gateshead Powerleague and football matches. Provides opportunities for students to showcase teamwork and sportsmanship.
• Veterans CharityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Students from nurture provision built and prepared a memorial garden for veterans charity. Received hoodies and caps as thank-you. Allotment owner provides weekly fruit and vegetable picking opportunities for students.
• Mental Health First Aid EnglandminorOthers · 1 March 2025Staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders at all centres. Initiative supports wellbeing of students and staff, providing guidance, recognising early signs of mental health concerns, and signposting to appropriate support services.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TBAP (Triangle Trust Alternative Provision): Multi-academy trust specialising in alternative provision for pupils excluded from or struggling in mainstream school. Closely comparable in mission (alternative K-12 education for behavioural/social needs) and KS3/KS4 curriculum structure, though based in London with broader reach.
• Progress Schools: UK specialist alternative provision provider serving KS3 and KS4 pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs. Directly comparable in referral model, short-term placements, and re-engagement focus, though Progress Schools operates across more UK regions.
• Orchard Training: UK alternative provision and vocational training provider for KS3/KS4 pupils at risk of exclusion. Comparable in offering vocational pathways (construction, sport, life skills) and LA-commissioned placements, though with a different geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Prospects (Prospects Services): UK education and training provider including alternative provision, SEND support and careers guidance commissioned by local authorities and schools. Comparable in LA-commissioned AP model, though operating across a much wider service portfolio nationally.
• Nacro Education: UK education charity delivering alternative provision, vocational training and behaviour support for at-risk young people. Comparable in target population (disengaged/vulnerable learners) and service mix, though Nacro operates nationally with broader programme offerings.
• Hesley Group: Specialist education and care provider for children and adults with autism, SEMH and complex needs, including day AP and residential schools. Comparable in serving SEMH and behaviourally challenged K-12 learners, though its offering spans residential care and adult services.
• Acorn Care & Education: Specialist education group providing residential and day alternative provision, SEMH schools and fostering services across England. Comparable in serving SEMH and at-risk K-12 cohorts, though operates at multi-site national scale with residential capability.
• Catch22: National charity operating a wide portfolio of alternative provision, SEMH support and post-16 services across multiple UK regions. Comparable as a UK AP provider for disengaged pupils, but operates at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth than Education Plus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EducationPlusNE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/education-plus-ne

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Education Plus NE