Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

What Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School does

The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Catholic primary school located on Somersby Road, Woodthorpe, Nottinghamshire (NG5 4LT), serving approximately Nursery through Year 6 (ages 3–11). The school joined the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust on 1 September 2018, with OLoL CMAT (Company No. 07743523; CEO James McGeachie) acting as admission authority and centralising governance, finance, HR, and safeguarding across its 36 Catholic primary and secondary schools in Lincolnshire, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire. Core educational delivery covers the EYFS framework plus a broad primary curriculum (English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, DT, Music, French, Computing, PE, PSHE/RSE), with the Sounds Write phonics scheme and the RE Curriculum Directory (RED) 'To know you more clearly' from 2025 underpinning literacy and Catholic religious education respectively. Specialist layers include 'The Ark' enhanced SEND provision and wraparound care (breakfast and after-school clubs from September 2024) delivered via HA4K (60 places).

The school's revenue mechanics are dominated by ESFA grant funding routed through the MAT, supplemented by school meals (cooked on-site at £2.70/day or £13.50/week, with Universal Infant Free School Meals in Reception–Year 2), PTA fundraising (Easyfundraising exceeding £2,000 plus uniform-label affiliate credit schemes), and the Little Acts of Kindness Fund supplied by the Trust to support pupils in financial hardship. Distribution is via coordinated admissions (Nottinghamshire County Council, with Nottingham City Council optional) plus direct in-year applications through the school office, with a Supplementary Information Form required for faith-based places and overflow referrals routed to four Catholic 'hub schools'. Adjacent relationships include the Good Shepherd Parish (Canon Philip Ziomek, Foundation Governor), NRCDES/Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service, the Gedling Mental Health Support Team (CAMHS-linked), and Arnold Foodbank.

Operationally the school sits under dual oversight from OFSTED (most recent inspections March 2024 and July 2025) and the Diocese of Nottingham (most recent CSI Report March 2023), with attainment data published annually on Compare School Performance. Leadership is Mrs Celine Toner (Headteacher) supported by Mrs E Shajpal (Deputy Headteacher), Mr J Barfield (Assistant Headteacher, acting SENCO from January 2026 pending Mrs M Brown's maternity leave), and Mrs Caroline Newson (Office Manager); governance was recently reconfigured with Mr Callum McGuinness and Mrs Natasha Oben appointed Co-Chairs of Governors in 2024/25 following five prior departures.

Name

Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

Legal name

The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy

Website

https://goodshepherd.notts.sch.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Catholic primary school in Woodthorpe, Nottingham, serving children aged 3–11 (Nursery through Year 6) within the 36-school Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, delivering a broad Catholic curriculum with SEND (The Ark) and wraparound care provisions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Primary education
• Catholic education
• Early years education
• Wraparound childcare
• Phonics instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodthorpe, Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: The school operates as a state-funded academy within Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. Core funding comes from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) via the MAT.
2. School Meals: Meals cooked on the premises at £2.70 per day (£13.50/week). Universal free school meals for Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2. Beyond Year 2, FSM eligibility is means-tested.
3. PTA Fundraising: The Parent Teacher Association raises funds through events, Easyfundraising (over £2,000 raised to date), uniform label partnerships, and pre-loved uniform sales, supplementing school resources for additional equipment and activities.
4. Little Acts of Kindness Fund: Discretionary fund supporting families in financial hardship with curriculum trips, uniform, meals, travel and educational equipment. Funded by the Trust to supplement Pupil Premium and FSM eligibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy delivers state-funded Catholic primary education for children aged 3-11, from Nursery through Year 6. Its core offerings include a broad and balanced curriculum (English, Maths, Science, RE, humanities, arts, languages, PE, PSHE/RSE), the Sounds Write phonics programme, SEND support through The Ark enhanced provision, Catholic Life and sacramental preparation, and wraparound childcare (breakfast and after-school clubs) via HA4K. The school also administers the Little Acts of Kindness Fund to support families facing financial hardship.

Product overview

Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School is a voluntary academy offering a comprehensive educational program from Nursery through Year 6. The school provides early years education (Nursery and Reception/EYFS), primary curriculum covering core subjects and specialized areas, enhanced provision for additional support (The Ark), and wrap-around childcare services. The school operates under the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust and emphasizes Catholic values with Religious Education as a central curriculum component.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nursery Education Early years nursery education for children, offering both 15-hour (morning sessions) and 30-hour (full-day government-funded) attendance patterns. Children engage in structured play-based learning to prepare for Reception.
• Reception (EYFS) Education Early Years Foundation Stage education following the EYFS framework, preparing children for Year 1 through structured play and guided learning across all prime and specific areas of learning.
• Primary School Curriculum (Years 1-6) Comprehensive curriculum covering core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science), humanities (History, Geography), arts (Art, Design and Technology, Music), languages (French), Computing, PE, and PSHE/RSE for Years 1 through 6.
• The Ark Enhanced Provision Enhanced provision offering a safe space for children who need additional support to engage more fully with school life and their learning journey. Operated under SEND/SENCO coordination.
• Wrap Around Care (HA4K) Breakfast club (7:30am-8:45am, £7.50) and after school club (3:30pm-6pm, £12.50) provided by HA4K, Ofsted registered with options for tax-free childcare payments. Includes snacks, free play, sports, crafts, dance and mindfulness activities.
• Religious Education

Quantifiable outcome

• School Performance data published annually on Compare School Performance (gov.uk) for KS2 attainment
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HA4K (Holiday Activities for Kids)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024HA4K provides Ofsted-registered wraparound care (breakfast and after-school clubs) at The Good Shepherd from September 2024. They have 60 places for children from Nursery to Year 6. Contact: [email protected] or 01159 436210. Bookings via ha4k.co.uk/WrapAround. Tax-free childcare vouchers accepted. Breakfast club: 7.30am (£7.50). After-school club: 3.30–6pm (£12.50).
• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (OLoL CMAT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018On 1 September 2018, The Good Shepherd joined the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. The MAT is the admission authority and employer for 36 Catholic Primary and Secondary schools across Lincolnshire, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. Registered at 1st Floor, Loxley House, Riverside Business Park, Tottle Road, Nottingham NG2 1RT. Company number: 07743523. CEO: James McGeachie. The Trust coordinates admissions, governance, finance, HR, safeguarding, and policy across all member schools.
• Good Shepherd Parish (Arnold)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanon Philip Ziomek is the Parish Priest and serves as a Foundation Governor. He regularly celebrates Mass in school, supports RE classes, and administers the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent. The school supports Year 3 children preparing for Reconciliation and First Communion. Year 6 children take readings at Sunday Mass monthly. The school leads the first Sunday Advent Mass, Carol Service, and Stations of the Cross for the parish. 'Mini Vinnies' after-school club works with the parish SVP group. Parish address: Good Shepherd Parish, Arnold.
• Diocese of Nottingham Education ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diocese of Nottingham (NRCDES/Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service) appoints Foundation Governors, oversees Catholic education standards, and conducts Diocesan inspections. The school received a positive Diocesan Inspection in March 2023. The Bishop's three-fold vision (Encounter, Discipleship, Missionary Discipleship) shapes the school's Catholic life programme.
• EasyfundraisingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe PTA uses Easyfundraising (easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/goodshepherdarnold/) to raise cashback for the school when parents shop online. Over £2,000 has been raised since joining. Parents sign up free and the school earns commission at no extra cost to shoppers.
• Stamptastic and My Name TagsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe PTA partners with Stamptastic (code NG5 4LT) and My Name Tags (code 21375) for uniform labelling. Parents ordering through these services using the school codes generate a credit for the PTA.
• Arnold FoodbankminorOthersThe school provides a link to Arnold Foodbank (arnold.foodbank.org.uk) within its Little Acts of Kindness Fund information, directing families experiencing food insecurity to this community resource.
• Gedling Mental Health Support Team / Nottinghamshire CAMHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Gedling Mental Health Support Team provides early intervention for low-level emotional wellbeing needs (anxiety, low mood, managing emotions, sleep). They link with Nottinghamshire CAMHS and provide in-school sessions. Their Education Mental Health Practitioner for The Good Shepherd is Alice Derbyshire. The QR code on the school's Mental Health page allows self-referral.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: Major UK Multi-Academy Trust operating primary and secondary schools nationally. Comparable as a broad academy trust with shared services, governance, and primary-school footprint.
• Oasis Community Learning: Large UK Multi-Academy Trust running state-funded primary and secondary academies. Comparable as a broad-scale primary-school MAT operator with centralised governance and curriculum.
• Star Academies: Multi-Academy Trust operating primary and secondary schools across England, with faith-affiliated schools in its network. Comparable as a faith-rooted MAT operator with primary education offerings.
• Diocese of Nottingham Education Service: Diocesan education authority that appoints Foundation Governors and conducts Diocesan inspections across Catholic schools in the region. Comparable as the regulatory and standards-setting body for the school's Catholic life programme.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: Large UK primary-focused Multi-Academy Trust operating many state-funded primary academies. Comparable as a primary-school MAT operator seeking scale and shared services in the same educational model.

Direct peers

• St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School: Catholic primary school in the OLoL CMAT hub network. Directly comparable on primary curriculum, faith identity, and academy model within the same MAT.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust: The Good Shepherd's parent Multi-Academy Trust comprising 36 Catholic primary and secondary schools across Lincolnshire, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. Directly comparable as the institutional framework and governance umbrella for the school.
• St Mary's Catholic Primary School (Hyson Green): Sister Catholic primary school within the OLoL CMAT network and one of the named hub schools to which Good Shepherd refers oversubscribed applicants. Comparable on faith-based admissions, curriculum, and Diocesan oversight model.
• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School (Nottingham): Catholic primary school within the OLoL CMAT network and named hub school. Directly comparable on curriculum, faith-based admissions criteria, and Mat-level operational support.
• St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (Nottingham): Catholic primary school in the OLoL CMAT hub network. Comparable Catholic primary education offering, Diocesan inspection framework, and faith-based admissions process.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@goodshepherdprimarycatholi6950/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodshepherdcatholicprimary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/good-shepherd-catholic-primary-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School