What Hotel School does

Hotel School is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1176270) founded in 2017 as a joint venture between The Passage, London's largest voluntary-sector resource centre for homeless and vulnerable people, and The Goring Hotel, a luxury hotel in Belgravia. The charity delivers a free 10-week hospitality training programme — branded 'The Main Course' — to adults aged 18 and over who have experienced homelessness, rough sleeping, displacement, or other social disadvantage. Participants are referred through a network of 20+ partner charities including St Mungo's, Centrepoint, Crisis, Thames Reach, and the Refugee Council, and are taught a curriculum spanning bar and cocktail service, kitchen skills, restaurant service, barista training, housekeeping, reception and concierge, and confidence-building modules. Training is delivered from Westminster Kingsway College's demonstration kitchens under a partnership established in October 2020.

The core product is structured around four stages: an introductory 'Appetiser' taster session, the 10-week Main Course, work-experience placements with employer partners, and a 12-month post-graduation support period that includes a dedicated in-work buddy and an external professional mentor. Graduates are matched into roles at a network of more than 50 London hospitality businesses including The Ritz, Rosewood London, Nobu, The Ned, IHG, Park Plaza, Searcys venues, and Broadwick Soho. Since founding, the charity has graduated 20 cohorts, with the most recent (Cohort 20, late 2024/early 2025) being the largest at 15 students.

Hotel School operates as a donation-funded non-profit with no commercial revenue from participants. Funding comes from individual donations, corporate sponsors (Savoy Educational Trust, Lord Forte Foundation, AKO Foundation, 3i Group, AlixPartners), foundation grants, and Westminster-area business improvement districts. Distribution is referral-based on the participant side and partnership-based on the employer side, with no paid customer acquisition. The organisation has 11 employees, is London-only, and has accumulated recognition including the Cateys Special Award (2023), Big Issue Top 100 Changemakers (2024), and Lord Mayor of Westminster's Charity of the Year (2025-26). It does not offer a digital product, application, or API; delivery is in-person and human-led.

Name

Hotel School

Legal name

Hotel School

Website

https://hotelschool.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hotel School is a London-based charity founded in 2017 as a joint venture between The Passage and The Goring Hotel, delivering a free 10-week hospitality training programme and 12 months of post-graduation employment support to adults who have experienced homelessness and other disadvantages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitality & Food Service (EDABALAO)

Keywords

• Hospitality training programs
• Vocational education services
• Charity workforce development
• Homeless employment support
• Hospitality skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Hotel School relies on charitable donations from individuals and organisations to fund operations. Donations can be made via credit/debit card through their website, bank transfer, or cheque.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: The organisation receives support from hospitality businesses, business improvement districts, and corporate sponsors including Savoy Educational Trust, Lord Forte Foundation, AKO Foundation, 3i Group, AlixPartners, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: Hotel School receives grants from charitable foundations and trust funds including The Albert Hunt Trust, Westminster Community Contribution Fund, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hotel School delivers a free, comprehensive 10-week hospitality training programme ("The Main Course") for vulnerable adults who have experienced homelessness and other disadvantages. Training covers service, kitchen, housekeeping, and reception skills, culminating in a nationally recognised certificate, employer matching with a network of 50+ London hospitality partners, and up to 12 months of post-graduation employment support with dedicated in-work buddies and professional mentors. The programme is preceded by an "Appetiser" taster session and is delivered at Westminster Kingsway College's facilities in Victoria, London.

Product overview

Hotel School offers a single unified product — a 10-week hospitality training programme called 'The Main Course' (preceded by an 'Appetiser' taster session). The programme combines theory, hands-on experience, and industry visits to teach core hospitality skills across four key areas: service, kitchen, housekeeping, and reception. The eight training modules cover Bar & Cocktail Skills, Kitchen Skills, Restaurant Service, Barista Training, Housekeeping, Healthy Eating & Cooking on a Budget, Reception & Concierge, and Confidence, Resilience & Mindset. An associated Graduate Employment & Progression Support module provides employer matchmaking, work placements, and up to 12 months of mentorship support after graduation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Main Course (10-week hospitality training programme) Hotel School's flagship 10-week hospitality training programme combining theory, hands-on experience, and industry visits. The programme teaches core skills across four key areas: service, kitchen, housekeeping, and reception, with modules covering Bar & Cocktail Skills, Kitchen Skills, Restaurant Service, Barista Training, Housekeeping, Healthy Eating & Cooking on a Budget, Reception & Concierge, and Confidence/Resilience development. Successful graduates receive a nationally recognised certificate and are matched with one of Hotel School's 50+ industry employer partners. Designed for vulnerable adults aged 18+ who have experienced homelessness, displacement, or disadvantage and have UK right to work.
• The Appetiser (taster session) A taster session that gives prospective students an insight into the hospitality industry, designed to inspire them and inform them about the wide range of opportunities within the sector. Graduate speakers who are now successfully in hospitality careers share their experiences. Industry leaders deliver inspiration. Acts as the entry-point for vulnerable adults considering joining the Main Course.
• Graduate Employment & Progression Support Post-graduation support service including employer matchmaking, work-experience placements, and up to 12 months of ongoing support for every graduate. Each graduate is assigned a dedicated in-work buddy and a professional mentor outside of work, with the Employment and Progression team facilitating introductions and ongoing check-ins. Designed to ensure sustainable employment outcomes for graduates of the Main Course.
• 4-Week Blended Learning Programme A shortened 4-week blended learning programme introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focuses on introducing students to hospitality and similar industries where hospitality skills can be transferred, combining remote and in-person learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 cohorts graduated since 2017, with Cohort 20 being the largest at 15 students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• The PassageflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Passage is London's largest voluntary sector resource centre for homeless and vulnerable people. As a joint venture partner alongside The Goring Hotel, The Passage provides the primary referral pathway for students into Hotel School's training programme. Mick Clarke, Chief Executive of The Passage, co-founded Hotel School in 2017.
• The Goring HotelflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Goring Hotel is a luxury hotel and founding joint venture partner with The Passage in Hotel School. Jeremy Goring, who graduated from Lausanne Hotel School and has worked at Four Seasons and The Lanesborough, is the co-founder and provides hospitality industry leadership, training facilities, and access to industry professionals.
• Westminster Kingsway CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA new partnership launched in October 2020 to deliver Hotel School's programmes from Westminster Kingsway College's world-class demonstration kitchens and learning spaces. The college is renowned for its catering and hospitality programmes and alumni include many household names in hospitality and Michelin-starred chefs.
• The RitzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Ritz London provides restaurant and service skills training for Hotel School students as part of the world-class industry trainer network supporting the programme.
• InterContinental Hotels GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIHG provides concierge and reception training as well as work placement opportunities for Hotel School students and graduates through their London properties.
• Extract Coffee RoasterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtract Coffee Roasters provides barista training masterclasses for Hotel School students. They also support Hotel School through their Inner Strength campaign, donating £1 per bag sold to their Grounds Up charity collective supporting community projects including Hotel School.
• Park Plaza HotelscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPark Plaza properties in London provide culinary and cocktail demonstrations, work experience placements, and employment opportunities for Hotel School graduates. Park Plaza Riverbank hosts graduation ceremonies.
• Rosewood LondoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRosewood London provides winning CV and interview skills training for Hotel School students as part of the industry trainer network, plus work placement and employment opportunities.
• SearcyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSearcys operates multiple London venues including Inner Temple, A&O Shearman, One Moorgate Place, 30 Euston Square, The IET, and Royal College of Surgeons. They provide work experience placements and employment for Hotel School graduates.
• The NedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Ned Hotel in London provides work experience placements and employment opportunities for Hotel School graduates as part of the employer partner network.
• St. Mungo'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSt. Mungo's is one of the primary referral organisations sending vulnerable adults to Hotel School's training programme. They support individuals experiencing homelessness across London.
• CentrepointcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentrepoint is a homelessness charity providing referrals to Hotel School for young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk, supporting their pathways into hospitality careers.
• Crisis UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrisis is a national homelessness charity providing referrals to Hotel School and collaborating on initiatives like Wellbeing Wednesdays, a series of free online workshops focused on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
• Beyond Food FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeyond Food Foundation supports Hotel School through events like the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards and collaborated on Wellbeing Wednesdays programme. Chef Trainer Leon Seraphin represents them as a partner contact.
• Will Greenwood OBEsupportingOthersFormer England rugby player (55 caps, 33 tries) and Sky Sports presenter serves as Hotel School's Head of Sports & Fitness, providing fitness training and motivation to help students improve work-ready fitness. Also founder of School of Hard Knocks.
• Ronan KeatingsupportingOthersInternationally known singer who performed at the Hotel School launch event and continues as a special supporter/patron of the charity, lending his celebrity status to raise awareness.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Clink Charity: UK charity training prisoners in catering and hospitality across working restaurants inside prisons. Comparable in combining vocational hospitality training with a supported pathway into employment for a disadvantaged target population.
• Change Please: UK social enterprise training homeless individuals as baristas and supporting them into long-term employment. Direct overlap in mission (homelessness-to-hospitality) and operating model (free training, employer placement, ongoing support), and is also a referral partner for Hotel School.
• Only A Pavement Away: UK charity helping homeless people, vulnerable women, and ex-offenders into careers in hospitality, with a hospitality-specific employer network. Strongly comparable mission and stakeholder overlap with Hotel School.
• Beyond Food Foundation: UK-based charity offering hospitality training and supported employment to people facing homelessness, disadvantage, or prison backgrounds in London. Directly comparable model: free kitchen training programme plus employer placement pipeline.

Emerging players

• House of St Barnabas: London charity offering a 12-step employment programme for people affected by homelessness and complex needs, including pathways into hospitality. Overlaps in target population and London employer network, and is also a referral partner for Hotel School.
• Migrateful: UK charity training refugees and asylum seekers as cookery teachers. Overlapping beneficiary population (vulnerable adults, including refugees) and culinary context, but a different end-product (community cookery classes rather than hospitality employment).
• Cafe Art: London-based social enterprise/charity that supports people affected by homelessness through art-based programmes and a café training pathway. Comparable at the intersection of homelessness and food/hospitality, though smaller-scale and art-focused.
• Beam: UK charity supporting homeless individuals through crowdfunded training, employment, and housing. Comparable beneficiary and outcomes focus but uses a different funding/training model and includes non-hospitality sectors.

Regional players

• DC Central Kitchen: US non-profit offering culinary job training to adults facing barriers to employment, including those recovering from homelessness, substance abuse, and incarceration. Conceptually similar training-plus-employment model, but operates at much larger scale in Washington DC.
• EDWINS Restaurant & Leadership Institute: US-based organisation providing free culinary training and wraparound support to formerly incarcerated adults. Highly comparable training-plus-support model for a disadvantaged population, but operates in Cleveland rather than London.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hotelschoollondon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hotel-school

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 Hotel School