Kingfisher Community Special School

What Kingfisher Community Special School does

Kingfisher Community Special School is a UK state-funded special school located in Chadderton, Oldham, operating under the Kingfisher Learning Trust multi-academy trust. It provides publicly funded specialist education to children aged 2-11 who hold Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with primary cohorts comprising autistic children with learning disabilities and children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), alongside provision for Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties (SLD-MLD). The school is admission-restricted to EHCP holders placed via Oldham Council, and all education is delivered free at the point of use; there is no fee-based pricing model.

The school's core product is a Creative Curriculum delivered through a proprietary Flightpath model (Runways 1-7 spanning emergent through subject-specific learning, organised into three Flightpaths by developmental stage) and a Total Communication approach (Signalong, PECS, Social Stories, Parent Signs). Multi-agency partnerships embed Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, and School Health Advisors into daily provision. Technology is limited to operational EdTech — Evidence for Learning for assessment (adopted September 2025) and Seesaw for family engagement — with no proprietary AI or platform infrastructure. Related Trust-level products include Ducklings Nursery (2-year-old provision, opened 2021), Halcyon Way free school for SLD-MLD/SLCN (opened 2022), and a Medlock Valley Primary School satellite (planned September 2026). Additional offerings include a Teaching School (Initial Teacher Training, School to School Support, R&D) and hireable conference facilities.

Commercially, the school operates as a not-for-profit academy with no public ticker, no funding rounds, and no disclosed revenue figure. Income derives from per-pupil state funding via the local authority, supplemented by traded income from teaching-school activity and venue hire. The school maintains an Outstanding OFSTED rating (May 2025) and ELKLAN Communication Friendly Setting accreditation, and is led by Executive Head Sue Caine and Head of School Charlotte Williams, with governance sitting under the Kingfisher Learning Trust board.

Name

Kingfisher Community Special School

Legal name

Kingfisher Special School

Website

https://kingfisher.oldham.sch.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kingfisher Community Special School is an Outstanding-rated UK state-funded special school in Oldham, delivering free specialist education to children aged 2-11 with EHCPs, primarily autistic children with learning disabilities and those with PMLD, via a proprietary Flightpath curriculum and multi-agency therapeutic provision under the Kingfisher Learning Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education (SEND) Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)

Keywords

• Special education services
• SEND school provision
• Autism specialist education
• PMLD learning support
• EHCP educational placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Chadderton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Education: Kingfisher Special School is a state-funded special school providing free education to children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Funding comes through the local authority (Oldham Council) based on pupil numbers and individual needs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kingfisher Community Special School provides state-funded specialist educational provision for children aged 2-11 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including autistic children with learning disabilities and children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD). The school delivers a Creative Curriculum organised through a Flightpath model (Runways 1-7 and Flightpath 1-3) that personalises learning to developmental stages, supplemented by Total Communication approaches, specialist therapies, and multi-agency partnerships.

Product overview

Kingfisher Special School is an Outstanding-rated specialist educational institution serving children aged 2-11 with autism and learning disabilities, and children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD). The school offers a unified educational provision comprising its core specialist curriculum (Creative Curriculum with Flightpath approach), Early Years Foundation Stage, specialist therapies (OT, PT, Hearing/Visual Impairment support), Total Communication programme, and professional learning services. Related offerings include Ducklings Nursery (opened 2021) for 2-year-olds, Halcyon Way free school (opened 2022) for SLD-MLD children, and satellite provisions. The school operates as part of Kingfisher Learning Trust and utilizes Evidence for Learning for assessment tracking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Halcyon Way: A free school within Kingfisher Learning Trust that underpins the practice of Kingfisher Special School, meeting needs of children with Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties (SLD-MLD), including Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN).
• Ducklings Nursery
• Ducklings Satellite Provision

Products and services

• Kingfisher Special School Educational Provision Core specialist educational provision for children aged 2-11 with autism and learning disabilities and children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), delivered through a Creative Curriculum with Flightpath personalisation.
• Ducklings Nursery Specialist nursery provision for 2-year-old children requiring specialist SEND support, located on the main Kingfisher site.
• Halcyon Way Free School Free school within Kingfisher Learning Trust serving children with Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties (SLD-MLD) including Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN).
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Specialist early years curriculum for nursery-age children with complex needs, including intent, curriculum, EYFS classes, and partnerships with parents/carers.
• Additional Therapies Service Therapeutic services delivered on-site including Hearing Impairment Team, Visual Impairment Team, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and School Health Advisors.
• Professional Learning / Teaching School Initial Teacher Training (ITT), School to School Support, and Research & Development programmes for educator professional development.
• Conference Facilities Venue facilities available for external hire and community events.
• Creative Curriculum Programme A comprehensive curriculum approach encompassing curriculum organisation, approaches (Awe and Wonder, Developmental Movement Play/JABADAO, Holistic Stories, Move and Mark, Outdoor Learning), enrichment activities, Total Communication, wellbeing, and assessment for learning.
• Total Communication Programme Communication support programme including Social Stories, Signalong, and Parent Signs to support children's communication development.
• Ducklings Satellite Provision (Medlock Valley) Satellite classroom at Medlock Valley Primary School (within Kingfisher Learning Trust) serving up to 10-12 EYFS children with EHCPs (primary need ASC) for a maximum of 2 years before joining the main Kingfisher site.

Quantifiable outcome

• Outstanding OFSTED rating maintained and further refined
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Halcyon Way (Free School within Kingfisher Learning Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Halcyon Way is a free school within Kingfisher Learning Trust which opened in January 2022, serving children with Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties (SLD-MLD), including Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN). It underpins and shares practice with Kingfisher Special School whilst meeting different needs.
• Medlock Valley Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite provision opening September 2026 within Medlock Valley Primary School (also within Kingfisher Learning Trust). Will serve up to 10-12 EYFS children with EHCPs (primary need ASC) for maximum 2 years before joining main Kingfisher site.
• Hearing Impairment TeamcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-agency partnership providing specialist support for children with hearing impairments within the school community.
• Visual Impairment TeamcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-agency partnership providing specialist support for children with visual impairments, including Visual Skills Development sessions.
• Occupational Therapy ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-agency partnership providing occupational therapy support for children requiring fine/gross motor skill development, sensory integration, and daily living skills.
• Physiotherapy ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-agency partnership providing physiotherapy support for children with physical development needs, including Developmental Movement Play.
• School Health AdvisorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-agency partnership providing health advisory services to support children's health needs within the school setting.
• Live Music NowsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusical enrichment programme. Co-created 'Respond, Create and Interact' approach with Kingfisher to develop pre-linguistic skills, non-verbal communication, and self-expression through music.
• ELKLANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognised provider of specialist training for professionals supporting children's speech, language and communication. All class-based staff trained through ELKLAN accredited programmes.
• Manchester United FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Trust Sports Day events, providing inclusive sports activities across all Kingfisher Learning Trust schools.
• Kingfisher Learning TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-academy trust overseeing Kingfisher Special School, Halcyon Way, Oakdale School, and other schools. Provides shared governance, best practice, and strategic direction. Trust vision: 'Endless Possibilities'.
• Pets as Therapy (PAT)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapy dog programme as part of curriculum enrichment, supporting children's emotional wellbeing and engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ambitious about Autism (TreeHouse School): Ambitious about Autism is a national charity operating specialist schools (TreeHouse School, Ambitious College) for autistic pupils across multiple age ranges. It is comparable to Kingfisher in autism-specific pedagogy and Total Communication approach, but operates at a much larger, multi-site, national scale.
• National Autistic Society Schools: The NAS operates specialist schools and services for autistic children across the UK (e.g., NAS Robert Ogden School, NAS Vanguard School). Comparable to Kingfisher in autism-specific curriculum and EHCP-driven admissions, but operates as a national charity brand rather than a single-site state-funded academy.
• Hesley Group: Hesley Group operates specialist residential and day schools for children and adults with autism and complex needs across multiple UK sites. Comparable in serving high-acuity SEND (autism, learning disabilities), but operates as an independent specialist provider rather than a state-funded academy trust.
• Priory Education and Children's Services: Priory Group operates a large portfolio of independent specialist schools and residential services for children with SEND and SEMH needs. Comparable as an operating peer for special education delivery, but operates as an independent (non-state-funded) provider at much larger scale, serving a different funding model.

Direct peers

• Treloar's School and College: Treloar's is a well-known UK special school and FE college in Hampshire for children and young people with complex physical and learning disabilities, including PMLD. It is comparable to Kingfisher in its multi-disciplinary therapy + education model and its specialist residential/day provision for high-acuity SEND.
• Mary Hare School: Mary Hare is a well-known UK specialist school for deaf children in Berkshire, offering a Total Communication approach and multi-agency therapy model. Comparable to Kingfisher in its specialist pedagogy, EHCP-driven admissions, and outstanding regulatory reputation, though focused on a different primary SEND need (hearing impairment).
• Oakdale School (Kingfisher Learning Trust): Oakdale is another school within the Kingfisher Learning Trust. As a sibling provision under the same multi-academy trust structure with shared Trust Board governance and pedagogical approach, it is a direct operating peer and benchmark for per-pupil funding and outcomes.
• Halcyon Way School: Halcyon Way is a free school within the same Kingfisher Learning Trust, opened January 2022. It serves children with Severe to Moderate Learning Difficulties (SLD-MLD) and Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN), sharing governance, curriculum philosophy, and best practice with Kingfisher — making it the closest direct comparable.

Regional players

• Linden Lodge School: Linden Lodge is a Wandsworth-based special school for pupils with severe and complex needs including visual impairment and PMLD. Comparable in multi-agency partnership model (Hearing/Visual Impairment Teams, therapy integration) and EHCP-based admissions, though serving a London borough rather than a Greater Manchester authority.
• Willow Dene School: Willow Dene is a special school in Greenwich, London, for children with severe and complex learning difficulties including PMLD and autism. Comparable in age range, primary SEND population, and multi-agency therapy model, though operating in a different regional authority.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kingfishersch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kingfisher-community-special-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kingfisher Community Special School