LEARNERS FIRST LIMITED

What LEARNERS FIRST LIMITED does

Learners First Schools Partnership is an independent, not-for-profit, school-led organisation established in 2012 and co-located at Whiston Worrygoose Primary School in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. It delivers accredited teacher training and school improvement programmes to schools, academies, Multi Academy Trusts, and individual teachers/leaders across the UK, with deepest penetration in South Yorkshire and surrounding areas. The core product portfolio comprises National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) delivered in partnership with UCL Institute of Education, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and the Postgraduate SENCo Award with the University of Huddersfield, the statutory Early Career Framework (ECF) programme with Education Development Trust, and a DfE-designated English Hub focused on systematic synthetic phonics and early reading. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining recurring school subscriptions (e.g., £1,300 per SENCo participant for subscribing schools versus £2,300 list price), DfE scholarship and programme funding for NPQs and ECF, per-delegate CPD fees of approximately £40–£60, and pass-through DfE funding streams such as Teaching Internship stipends and up to £9,000 per eligible school in English Hub resource funding.

The organisation operates an asset-light delivery model with only 6 directly employed staff, relying instead on a governance structure composed of MAT CEOs (White Woods, Willow Tree, Inspire, Wickersley Partnership Trust, Steel City Partnership) and serving school leaders who facilitate programmes and recruit member schools through peer networks. There is no proprietary technology platform; programmes are delivered via blended online portals, virtual workshops, and face-to-face sessions. GTM motion is primarily sales-led through school leader networks, supplemented by event-driven engagement (English Hub showcase events at Whiston Worrygoose) and channel partnerships via the DfE NPQ registration portal and UCL's national application system.

Name

LEARNERS FIRST LIMITED

Legal name

Learners First Schools Partnership

Website

https://learnersfirst.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Learners First Schools Partnership is a not-for-profit, school-led professional development partnership established in 2012 that delivers accredited NPQs, ITT, ECF, and SENCo programmes alongside a DfE-designated English Hub to over 200 schools, academies, and MATs across the UK, with strongest penetration in South Yorkshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Professional Development and School Improvement Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Curriculum & Pedagogy Training (Play-Based, Emergent, Literacy/Numeracy) (EDACAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Literacy & Phonics Programs (EDAMAJAA), Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity) (EDACAIAF)

Keywords

• School-led professional development
• National Professional Qualifications
• Teacher training programmes
• English Hub phonics support
• School improvement CPD

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotherham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. School Subscription Fees: Schools and MATs subscribe to Learners First to access the full suite of professional development programmes, NPQ qualifications, ITT, and English Hub support. Subscription provides subsidised access to programmes such as the SENCo qualification (£1,300 vs £2,300 market rate).
2. DfE NPQ Scholarships and Programme Fees: NPQ programmes are funded through DfE scholarship funding (fully funded for most NPQs for eligible schools) and programme fees. Revenue flows via the DfE directly to providers for fully funded places, with non-subscribing schools paying per delegate fees.
3. SENCo Programme Fees: The SENCo qualification programme is priced at £2,300 per participant at full cost, subsidised to £1,300 for subscribing schools. The employing school/academy is invoiced on registration.
4. Fully Funded CPD and English Hub Activities: Many CPD events, showcase events, and English Hub activities are fully funded by DfE English Hubs Programme funding, with subsidies and contributions available for eligible schools following attendance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Learners First is an independent, not-for-profit, school-led partnership that delivers accredited professional development, leadership qualifications, teacher training, and school improvement services to schools, academies and Multi Academy Trusts. Offerings include NPQs, ITT leading to QTS and PGCE, the Early Career Framework, the Postgraduate Certificate in SENCO coordination, a DfE-designated English Hub for phonics and early reading, CPD workshops, and DfE-funded teaching internships, mainly in and around South Yorkshire but with national reach through NPQ and ITT programmes.

Product overview

Learners First Schools Partnership is an independent, not-for-profit, school-led organization established in 2012, governed by serving school leaders. It offers a unified platform of educational programmes comprising National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) delivered with UCL Institute of Education, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in partnership with University of Huddersfield, Early Career Framework (ECF) programmes via EDT partnership, SENCO qualification programmes, and a DfE-designated English Hub providing phonics and reading support. The portfolio also includes Teaching Internship Programmes, CPD workshops, showcase events, and resource funding. These offerings are interconnected through the partnership's three core areas: Leadership Development and Transformation, Teaching & Curriculum Excellence, and Governance Development, serving schools, academies, and MATs across South Yorkshire and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) DfE-accredited professional qualification programmes for teachers and school leaders including NPQ Headship (NPQH), NPQ SENCO, NPQEL Executive Leadership, NPQEYL Early Years Leadership, NPQSL Senior Leadership, NPQLT Leading Teaching, and NPQLL Leading Literacy, delivered locally in partnership with UCL Institute of Education using research-based curricula.
• English Hub One of the DfE-designated English Hubs supporting schools to improve the teaching of phonics, early language and reading. Provides professional development, showcase events, intensive school-to-school support, and resource funding of up to £9,000 for eligible schools purchasing validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics programmes.
• Early Career Framework (ECF) Induction Programme Statutory two-year structured training and support programme for early career teachers (ECTs), delivered as the Full Induction Programme in partnership with Education Development Trust, including mentor training, ECT training, and appropriate body services. Fully funded by the DfE.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO) Mandatory National SENCo Award offered in partnership with the University of Huddersfield. Comprises two 30-credit Master's-level modules covering inclusion, SEND policy and strategic leadership for SEND; delivered through online, distance learning and face-to-face sessions. Priced at £1,300 for subscribing schools vs £2,300 full cost.
• Initial Teacher Training (ITT) School-led teacher training programme enabling trainees to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Delivered in partnership with the University of Huddersfield, offering primary school training places in South Yorkshire with school-based placements and DfE tax-free bursaries.
• DfE Teaching Internship Programme DfE-funded 3-week full-time summer internship programme for undergraduate and master's students interested in teaching careers in priority subjects (maths, physics, chemistry, computing, or modern foreign languages), with stipends of up to £1,275 and placements in South Yorkshire schools.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Evidence-based professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders including leadership workshops, writing masterclasses (e.g., with Alex Quigley), legal leadership seminars (mock employment tribunal with Irwin Mitchell and S4S HR), Excellence Seminars (with NACE), and English Hub CPD events. Many events are fully funded for subscribing organisations; non-subscribers pay £40–£60 per delegate on selected events.
• English Hub Resource Funding Funding programme operated under the DfE English Hubs initiative, enabling eligible schools to claim up to £9,000 to purchase Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programmes, resources and training from a DfE-validated list.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of ITT trainees graduate from the programme
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alex Quigley (Author, 'Closing the Writing Gap')minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Alex Quigley, author of 'Closing the Writing Gap', led a series of three connected Writing Masterclass Webinars for primary teachers and leaders, hosted by Learners First in April 2024. The webinars explored evidence-based strategies for improving writing, focusing on transcription, sentence construction, and editing/revising.
• Irwin Mitchell (Legal Team)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 February 2024Learners First partnered with specialist legal team Irwin Mitchell and HR professionals from S4S to deliver a fully funded mock employment tribunal experience for school and trust leaders. Irwin Mitchell provided the legal expertise and role-play for the interactive professional development session focused on HR and employment law in education settings.
• S4S (HR Professionals)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 February 2024S4S HR professionals collaborated with Learners First and Irwin Mitchell to design and deliver the mock employment tribunal professional development event for school leaders, providing HR expertise within an education context.
• Marc Rowland (Author, EEF National Network of Research School Advisor)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2023Marc Rowland, author, EEF National Network of Research School Advisor, and government advisor on disadvantaged children, partnered with Learners First for 2023/24 to explore themes around pupil participation, attendance, and the experience of success in learning. The partnership involved an interactive webinar and keynote events as part of an enquiry-based approach.
• National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2023Learners First partnered with NACE to deliver Excellence Seminars under the 'Achieving Excellence, Striving for Exceptional in ALL Schools' series, focusing on talent management and people development in schools and MATs. The partnership brings NACE's expertise in able children education alongside Learners First's leadership development offer.
• University College London (UCL) Institute of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearners First is a proud DfE-accredited NPQ delivery partner of UCL's Institute of Education, the UK's largest university-based centre for research, teaching, development and innovation in education leadership. UCL writes the NPQ curriculum using cutting-edge research, and Learners First delivers locally with expert facilitation from serving school leaders. The partnership combines UCL's research excellence with Learners First's on-the-ground delivery capability across South Yorkshire.
• University of HuddersfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearners First works in partnership with the University of Huddersfield to offer the Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCo), a mandatory qualification for new SENCos. The university awards the qualification and manages formal registrations, while Learners First delivers locally through a combination of online, distance learning, and face-to-face sessions. The programme comprises two 30-credit Master's-level modules.
• Whiston Worrygoose Primary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhiston Worrygoose Primary School is the founding lead school within the Learners First partnership and the host site for the DfE-designated English Hub. Its headteacher (Vanessa Hill) serves as strategic lead for the English Hub, and the school is the primary venue for English Hub showcase events and intensive support activities.
• Education Development Trust (EDT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearners First is involved in the delivery of the Full Early Career Framework (ECF) Induction Programme, working in collaboration with Teaching School Hubs and national lead provider EDT. EDT designs and QA's the Full Induction programme, and Learners First delivers locally with high-quality facilitators trained by EDT. The programme is fully funded by the DfE.
• Department for Education (DfE)coreOthersThe DfE is the primary government partner, designating Teaching Schools, English Hubs, and accrediting NPQ providers. Learners First operates multiple DfE-funded programmes including English Hubs, NPQs, ITT bursaries, and the Teaching Internship Programme.
• OU/UKLA (Open University / UK Literacy Association) Reading GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Whiston Worrygoose English Hub hosts an OU/UKLA Reading Group, providing free evidence-based CPD for teachers focused on reading for pleasure (RfP). Sessions help develop teachers' research-informed practice, widen knowledge of children's literature, and build a professional community around RfP.
• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)minorOthersThe EEF independently assessed and endorsed the Early Career Framework. Learners First's ECF programme is underpinned by EEF-endorsed materials. Additionally, Marc Rowland serves as an EEF National Network of Research School advisor in partnership with Learners First.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Teach First: Large-scale national ITT and leadership development charity that overlaps with Learners First's teacher training and NPQ offerings. Operates at much greater scale and brand recognition, with programmes beyond K-12 such as Early Years.

Direct peers

• Education Development Trust: National lead provider for the Full ECF Induction Programme in partnership with Teaching School Hubs, including Learners First itself. Competes with Learners First in early career teacher development and broader school improvement services.
• Ambition Institute: One of the largest national NPQ and ECF delivery partners in England, accredited by the DfE. Directly competes with Learners First for NPQ participants and school contracts, but operates at significantly greater scale and with dedicated digital infrastructure.
• National Institute of Teaching: DfE-established teacher training and NPQ provider, formed from the merger of several Teaching School Alliances. Directly comparable to Learners First as a Teaching School-led NPQ delivery competitor with regional hubs.
• Best Practice Network: DfE-accredited NPQ delivery partner offering the same suite of National Professional Qualifications as Learners First. Also provides ITT and school improvement programmes, competing for the same school leader customer segment nationally.
• UCL Institute of Education (UCL IOE): Partner and curriculum owner for Learners First's NPQ programmes. As the UK's largest education research institution, UCL IOE also delivers its own teacher training and professional development, competing with Learners First in the same leadership development market.
• University of Huddersfield: Partner for Learners First's ITT and SENCo PGCert programmes. As a higher education institution, it also delivers its own teacher training pathways and continuing professional development, partially overlapping with Learners First's portfolio.

Regional players

• Red Kite Teaching School Hub: Teaching School Hub serving a different region (West Yorkshire) but offering the same suite of NPQs, ECF, ITT and CPD programmes as Learners First. Highly comparable operating model and accreditation set, differing primarily by geography.
• Bradford Birth to 19 Teaching School Hub: Regional Teaching School Hub in Bradford offering NPQ delivery, ECF and school-to-school support. Comparable to Learners First in scale and structure but serving a different geographic footprint in the north of England.

Others

• NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education): CPD and training partner of Learners First, but also operates its own Excellence Seminars and CPD for school leaders on gifted education and talent development. Adjacent competitor in the CPD/events space for school improvement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Learners_First
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learners-first-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 LEARNERS FIRST LIMITED