Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance

What Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance does

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance is a Department for Education (DfE)-designated partnership that operates as one of 87 national Teaching School Hubs in England, coordinating three constituent hubs — Mangotsfield C of E Primary (part of Leaf Trust) and Bristol Metropolitan Academy (part of Cabot Learning Federation) — to deliver teacher development across five South West England counties. The alliance serves more than 750 schools, settings, and colleges, focusing on early career teacher training, middle and senior leadership qualifications, and statutory induction services.

The organisation delivers three primary product lines: (1) Early Career Framework (ECF) training, fully DfE-funded for state-funded schools and structured as a two-year statutory induction pathway; (2) National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), which are scholarship-funded by the DfE for teachers in the top 50% of schools by pupil premium eligibility, with a portfolio that includes leadership, behaviour and culture, literacy, and the newer NPQ for SENCOs launched in September 2024; and (3) Appropriate Body services for the statutory induction of Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Pricing for non-state-funded segments includes self-funded NPQ fees ranging from approximately £900 to £4,050 per programme, and Appropriate Body fees of £250 per ECT per year (or £995 plus £250 per ECT for the full induction package).

The business model is that of a non-commercial educational partnership rather than a profit-driven entity. Revenue is primarily determined by DfE grant allocations and NPQ scholarship funding, with modest supplementary fee income from self-funded NPQ enrolments and Appropriate Body charges to independent schools. Leadership is distributed across the partner trusts — Steve Taylor (CEO, Cabot Learning Federation), Faye Kitchen (Director of Education, Leaf Trust), Sian Kinder (Director of Teaching School Hub, Leaf Trust), Alison Fletcher (Director, CLF Institute), and Mike Eatwell (Deputy Director, CLF Institute). The alliance's competitive position is determined by DfE designation, and its operating scope is shaped by national education policy.

Name

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance

Legal name

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance

Website

https://fivecountiesalliance.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance is a DfE-designated partnership of three teaching school hubs serving over 750 schools across five South West England counties, delivering ECF training, NPQs, and statutory induction support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Teacher Professional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mentoring, Induction & Probationary Teaching Oversight Authorities (EDADAJAK), ECE Leadership & Administration Training (Directors/Owners/Supervisors) (EDACAIAD)

Keywords

• Teacher training services
• Early career framework
• National professional qualifications
• Professional development courses
• Appropriate body services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. DfE Funding for Early Career Framework: The Early Career Framework programmes are fully funded by the DfE and available free of charge for all state-maintained academies and schools in England. This includes full 2-year ECF training for ECTs and their mentors, covering central training, support, networks, online portal access, and instructional coaching.
2. DfE Funding for NPQs: National Professional Qualifications receive DfE scholarship funding, either fully funded for eligible schools (top 50% by pupil premium) or conditionally funded based on disadvantage criteria. Additional revenue comes from self-funded programme fees.
3. Appropriate Body Service Fees: Schools pay annual fees for Appropriate Body services: £250 per ECT per year (Option 1 - DfE provider route) or £995 school-level fee plus £250 per ECT (Option 2 - school-designed programme).
4. Self-Funded NPQ Programme Fees: Schools not eligible for DfE funding pay full programme costs: NPQEL £4050, NPQH £1949, NPQSL/NPQEYL £1139, NPQLT/NPQLL/NPQLTD/NPQLBC £900, NPQLPM £902.
5. Independent School ECF Fees: Independent schools can access ECF training and support for a charge, with schools funding participation for their ECTs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance is a DfE-appointed partnership of three teaching school hubs delivering Initial Teacher Training coordination, a fully funded 2-year Early Career Framework (ECF) programme, National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and Continuous Professional Development to schools across Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset. It also provides statutory Appropriate Body services for ECT induction quality assurance and operates a network of specialist curriculum hubs (English, Maths, Computing, Science, Early Years, Behaviour, Research School).

Product overview

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance is a DfE-appointed Teaching School Hub covering Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset. The organization delivers a unified professional development ecosystem comprising three interconnected core products: Initial Teacher Training (ITT), the Early Career Framework (ECF) programme with its accompanying Appropriate Body service, and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). These are complemented by specialist curriculum hubs (English Hubs, Maths Hub, Computing Hubs, Research School, Early Years Hub), a CPD courses catalogue, and the Visiting Fellow facilitator programme. The alliance works in partnership with Ambition Institute and Education Development Trust as lead providers, and coordinates with multiple ITT providers across the region to support over 700 schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Five Counties Teaching School Hub Alliance: The main branded identity for the regional partnership of teaching school hubs covering Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset.

Products and services

• Early Career Framework (ECF) Programme Fully funded 2-year training programme for Early Career Teachers and their mentors, covering cognitive science of learning, planning, and teaching strategies. Delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute and Education Development Trust. Targeted at state-funded schools in England.
• Appropriate Body Service Quality assurance service for statutory ECT induction. Provides dedicated Quality Assurance Officers, assessment at formal assessment points, and registration with DfE. Two tiers available: provider-led (Option 1, £250/ECT/year) and school-designed programme (Option 2, £995 school + £250/ECT/year). For schools in the Five Counties region needing ECT induction compliance.
• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) Leadership development programmes including NPQH (Headship), NPQSL (Senior Leadership), NPQEL (Executive Leadership), NPQLT (Leading Teaching), NPQLBC (Leading Behaviour and Culture), NPQLL (Leading Literacy), NPQLPM (Leading Primary Maths), NPQLTD (Leading Teacher Development), NPQEYL (Early Years Leadership), and NPQ for SENCOs. Delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute over 12-18 months for aspiring and current school leaders.
• Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Coordination Coordination partnership with multiple SCITT and university providers across the region to provide teacher training pathways. Includes Five Counties SCITT, Olympus Academy Trust, The Leaf Trust, Somerset SCITT, Mid-Somerset Consortium, University of Bristol, UWE Bristol, Bath Spa University, National Institute of Teaching, and Lighthouse Schools Partnership. For prospective teachers seeking routes into teaching.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Courses Evidence-based CPD programmes including EAL training (Bell Foundation), SEND courses, subject leadership programmes, mentoring conferences, teaching assistant training, behaviour management, adaptive teaching, pedagogy essentials, and leadership essentials. Underpinned by Standard for Teachers' Professional Development and EEF guidance. For teachers and school leaders across the region.
• Specialist Curriculum Hubs Network of DfE-designated specialist curriculum hubs including Mangotsfield Primary English Hub, Unlocking Excellence English Hub, Boolean Maths Hub, Odyssey Computing Hub, Castle School Computing Hub, Adfecto Science Hub, Bristol & Beyond Early Years Hub, Behaviour Hubs, and Somerset Research School. Provides subject-specific CPD and school improvement support for teachers and school leaders across the region.
• Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) Coaching programme for headteachers in their first 5 years of headship. Partners new headteachers with experienced headteacher coaches for personalized support. Available alongside NPQH.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130 trainees started teacher training through Five Counties SCITT
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mangotsfield C of E Primary School (Leaf Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated lead school within the Five Counties TSHA; Strategic Lead of the DfE Five Counties Teaching School Hub Alliance; Mangotsfield Primary English Hub
• Bristol Metropolitan Academy (Cabot Learning Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated lead school within the Five Counties TSHA; part of Cabot Learning Federation
• Ambition InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead provider partner for NPQ programmes and ECT full induction programmes; provides programme content, Steplab platform for Ambition programmes
• Education Development Trust (EDT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead provider partner for ECT full induction programmes; provides programme content and EDT learning portal
• The Leaf TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-Academy Trust partner; Mangotsfield Primary English Hub; ITT provider (Five Counties SCITT); designated lead school
• Cabot Learning FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-Academy Trust partner; Bristol Metropolitan Academy as designated lead school; CLF Institute; ITT provider
• Bath & North East Somerset CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Authority partner within the Five Counties region
• Bristol City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Authority partner within the Five Counties region
• North Somerset CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Authority partner within the Five Counties region
• South Gloucestershire CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Authority partner within the Five Counties region
• Somerset County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Authority partner within the Five Counties region
• Five Counties SCITTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-Centred Initial Teacher Training provider; part of The Leaf Trust/Cabot Learning Federation Institute
• University of BristolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITT provider partner offering PGCE teacher training
• University of the West of England (UWE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITT provider partner offering teacher training programmes
• Bath Spa UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITT provider partner offering teacher training programmes
• Somerset SCITTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-Centred ITT provider operating in Somerset region
• Mid-Somerset ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITT provider consortium for initial teacher training
• National Institute of TeachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational ITT provider offering routes into teaching
• The Lighthouse Schools PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-Academy Trust partner; ITT provider
• Olympus Academy TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-Academy Trust partner; ITT provider
• The Priory Learning TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-Academy Trust partner; ITT provider (Teaching School)
• Mangotsfield Primary English HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE-designated English Hub covering South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset; supports early literacy through systematic synthetic phonics
• Unlocking Excellence English HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE-designated English Hub at St Peter's CE Primary School, Portishead; covers Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and BANES; focuses on phonics, language development and love of reading
• Boolean Maths HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE-funded Maths Hub covering the whole Five Counties region; provides collaborative professional development to improve teaching and leadership of mathematics
• Bristol & Beyond Early Years Hub (Stronger Practice Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE Early Years Stronger Practice Hub covering Bristol, BANES, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Swindon; part of COVID-19 recovery package
• Somerset Research SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 37 Research Schools in national network; helps schools use evidence to improve teaching; based at The Blue School, Wells; supports West Somerset Priority Education Investment Area
• Odyssey Computing HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComputing Hub covering South Gloucestershire, Bristol, BANES and North Somerset; provides CPD for KS1 through A-level computing
• The Castle School Computing HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComputing Hub for Somerset; delivers CPD for teachers at all levels of computing expertise
• NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable membership organisation for SEND professionals; provides training, resources and support for inclusive practice
• Whole School SEND ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted by NASEN; delivers DfE SEND Schools' Workforce Support Contract; committed to ensuring children with SEND can maximise their potential
• Behaviour HubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE-funded initiative led by Begbrook Primary Academy in Bristol; helps senior leaders improve behaviour culture; offers up to £9,000 funding upon programme completion
• Bell FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Counties is a Bell Foundation Regional Centre of Expertise; provides EAL (English as Additional Language) training programmes for schools
• Greater Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and BANES Science Hub (Adfecto)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary Science Learning Network covering the whole region; termly network meetings for science leads

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Teach First: Teach First runs a national ITT and leadership development pathway aimed at addressing teacher shortages in disadvantaged areas. It is a broader incumbent in the teacher training and leadership development space rather than a regional hub.
• UCL Institute of Education: UCL's IOE is a leading provider of ITT (PGCE) and broader education research and training, including NPQ delivery routes. It is a broader academic incumbent that overlaps with Five Counties' ITT and CPD offerings.
• University of Bristol School of Education: University of Bristol is one of Five Counties' partner ITT providers offering PGCE programmes in the same region. As an established higher-education incumbent, it competes for the same teacher training candidates and CPD spend.

Others

• NASEN: NASEN is a SEND-focused membership and training organisation and a Five Counties partner. It is not a direct competitor but an adjacent ecosystem participant delivering SEND CPD that complements Five Counties' own SEND-related offerings.

Direct peers

• Education Development Trust: EDT is a DfE-approved lead provider for the full ECF induction programme and is co-delivered by Five Counties. It offers the same product (ECF training) to the same school customer base via its own learning portal.
• Ambition Institute: Ambition Institute is a DfE-approved lead provider delivering NPQ and full ECF programmes. Five Counties delivers Ambition's content as a regional partner, making Ambition the closest direct peer in the same product category and customer base.
• Best Practice Network: Best Practice Network is a DfE-approved lead provider delivering NPQs and ITT programmes to schools across England. It competes for the same NPQ cohort that Five Counties channels through Ambition.

Emerging players

• National Institute of Teaching: National Institute of Teaching is a recently formed, DfE-affiliated national ITT and professional development provider listed as a partner ITT provider for Five Counties. It represents an emerging player in the same teacher training category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fivecounties

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance