Manchester Academy - United Learning

What Manchester Academy - United Learning does

Manchester Academy is a state-funded, secondary academy (ages 11-16, Years 7-11) located in Moss Side on the Oxford Road Corridor in Manchester, England, operating under United Learning Trust — a charitable multi-academy trust comprising 100+ schools across England. The school delivers the National Curriculum across 18 subject areas alongside its proprietary 'Education with Character' programme, which combines enrichment (65+ clubs), the Duke of Edinburgh Award, educational trips, university visits, and an in-house MAGIC values framework (Motivated, Academic, Global, Inclusive, Community). It reports strong academic outcomes for 2024-25, including an Average Attainment 8 score of 45.1, 57.2% of students achieving grade 4+ in English and Maths, and 90% staying in education or employment post-16, with a Progress 8 score of 0.3 in 2024 placing it materially above regional (0.07) and national (-0.03) averages. Supporting infrastructure includes dedicated SEND provision (Autism Resource Centre), an embedded Manchester United Foundation School Partnership Officer (partnership since 2016), outreach partnerships with the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Russell Group, and careers hub ties to employers including Barclays, NHS and John Sisk & Son. The technology stack is built on commodity third-party platforms — Arbor for student information, attendance, behavior/achievement tracking and parent communications, Microsoft Teams for remote learning and curriculum delivery, and SchoolHire for facility bookings — with a website offering prospectus, virtual tour, and multilingual content (Arabic, Somali, Urdu). Revenue is derived primarily from UK Government per-pupil funding administered through United Learning Trust, supplemented by ancillary transactional streams (catering/school meals, IGO bus pass concession fares at £10, facility hire) and teacher training fees via the United Teaching programme; there are no tuition fees for students and Free School Meals are available to eligible families.

Name

Manchester Academy - United Learning

Legal name

Manchester Academy

Website

https://manchester-academy.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Manchester Academy is a state-funded, Ofsted 'Good' secondary school (ages 11-16) in Moss Side, Manchester, operated by United Learning Trust, serving ~1,200 pupils with the National Curriculum and an 'Education with Character' enrichment programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Per-Pupil Funding: Core revenue from government funding allocated per pupil through the UK education funding system. Managed under United Learning Trust (ULT) as part of the multi-academy trust structure.
2. Catering and School Meals: Revenue from canteen services providing meals to students. Parents can add funds to catering accounts. School meals service includes both paid and Free School Meals eligible students.
3. Facility Hire: School facilities including sports fields, halls, and rooms available for hire to community groups and organizations through the SchoolHire booking system.
4. Teacher Training Programme: United Teaching initial teacher training programme generates training fees. Trainees can pursue QTS alone or with additional PGCE qualification. Programme has salaried and self-funded routes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Manchester Academy is a state-funded secondary school (academy) for students aged 11-16 (Years 7-11) operating under United Learning Trust in the Moss Side area of Manchester. It delivers a knowledge-rich, National Curriculum-based education across 18 subject areas, an "Education with Character" enrichment programme, comprehensive pastoral and SEND support including an Autism Resource Centre, and a structured Careers Hub for post-16 transitions. The academy also runs the United Teaching initial teacher training programme and opens its sports and event facilities to community hire.

Product overview

Manchester Academy is an award-winning secondary school operated by United Learning that provides secondary education services to students. The school's product portfolio comprises its core educational offering (secondary school education), the Arbor Parent Portal App (for parent-student-school communication), United Teaching (teacher training programme), Careers Hub (employability curriculum), Education with Character programme (enrichment activities), curriculum areas across 18 subject disciplines, SEND support services, Microsoft Teams-based remote learning platform, and pastoral care systems. The school operates under the United Learning group which comprises primary, secondary, and independent schools across England.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary Education Curriculum (GCSE programme) A knowledge-rich secondary education programme for students aged 11-16 across Years 7-11, rooted in the National Curriculum and designed with Rosenshine Principles. Covers 18 subject areas including Art, Business Studies, Child Development, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, MFL, Music, PE, Photography, PSHE, RE, Science, and Technology, leading to GCSE qualifications.
• Education with Character Programme A structured enrichment programme supplementing the academic curriculum with 65+ clubs, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, local/national/international trips, university visits, and inspirational speaker sessions, designed to develop confident, well-rounded young adults under the school's MAGIC values framework (Motivated, Academic, Global, Inclusive, Community).
• United Teaching Initial Teacher Training Programme A school-centred initial teacher training programme (Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding') offered through Manchester Academy and partner schools, qualifying trainees with QTS in 12 months with an optional additional PGCE (60 master's-level credits). Includes salaried and self-funded routes and extends to over 100 primary, secondary, and independent schools across England, with over 65% of trainees receiving full-time job offers at the end of the academic year.
• Manchester Academy Careers Hub A structured careers education and employability programme for students in Years 9-11, providing career information, work experience, mock interviews, apprenticeship guidance, university preparation, alumni mentorship and partnerships with employers (e.g. Barclays, NHS, John Sisk & Son), Russell Group universities and Greater Manchester sixth-form colleges.
• SEND Department and Autism Resource Centre Inclusive education provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, delivered through a dedicated SEND team, professional development programme, dedicated Autism Resource Centre, learning support services, and adherence to the DfE SEND Code of Practice.
• Arbor Parent Portal App Mobile and desktop portal application for parents and carers to view student attendance data, behaviour and achievement points, make payments for trips and lunch money, access student timetables, assessment reports, exam schedules, and request updates to student information.
• Microsoft Teams Remote Learning Platform Online learning environment accessed via Microsoft Teams, providing students with personalised login access to lesson resources, assignments, and remote learning materials supporting both classroom and home learning.
• Pastoral Care System Whole-school pastoral care structure comprising Year Directors, Form Tutors, and Pastoral Support Workers who monitor student wellbeing, attendance, punctuality, and provide academic and social support across Years 7-11, including safeguarding, mental health and school counselling services.
• School Facility Hire Hire of school facilities — including the sports field, flood-lit all-weather Astro Turf pitch, four-court Sports Hall, Gymnasium, halls and other rooms — to community groups and organisations via the SchoolHire online booking system.
• Community ESOL and Ladies' Literacy Classes Free English language and literacy classes offered to adult community members, particularly local women, to support English language skills, literacy improvement, and community integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Progress 8 score of 0.3 in 2024, significantly higher than regional average (0.07) and national average (-0.03)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Macmillan Cancer SupportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Charity partnership for cancer awareness education. Dr Cunliffe (National Lead Medical Adviser) spoke to Year 9 students about cancer awareness and healthcare careers. School presented £1,000 cheque to support ongoing charity work.
• Manchester United FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership since 2016 delivering leadership and mentoring programmes, enrichment activities, girls-only provision through classroom interventions and extra-curricular clubs, transition support for Year 6 to Year 7 students, and career pathways opportunities. School Partnership Officer Mr Kessebeh is based at Manchester Academy full-time.
• University of Manchester School of Arts, Languages and CulturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership for outreach events including Languages XP project where university students teach Chinese, Latin, and Ancient Greek to Manchester Academy students over four-week programmes. University outreach officer provides ongoing support and collaboration.
• Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as community partner with Manchester Metropolitan University logo displayed on school website among partner organizations.
• Whitworth Art GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on art projects using gallery as alternative learning space. Students, staff, and parents collaborate on projects at gallery, in school, and in shared local community. Rich diversity of voices brings fresh perspectives on art, ideas, and current issues.
• The Flying Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming arts partner that visits school for educational theatre performances. Staff described as extremely helpful and organized with enthusiastic student audiences.
• Brook ManchesterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSexual health and wellbeing service located at 81 Lever St, M1 1FL. School refers students to Brook for additional support services.
• Can-Survive UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing support for families and carers affected by cancer. Joan and Janet spoke about cultural understanding and culturally sensitive support for diverse communities.
• Greater Manchester Cancer AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership delivering interactive presentation on careers in healthcare sector to Year 9 students to help them explore career pathways.
• John Sisk & Son LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company that ran mock interview day for Year 10 students to help develop employability skills and career awareness.
• NHSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership for health awareness education and career pathway information for students.
• BarclaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial education partnership supporting youth activity and financial literacy programmes for students.
• Noah's A.R.T. Animal Rescue TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal-assisted interventions practitioner visits school with animals for therapeutic sessions. Staff and students described as welcoming, polite, and respectful with animals.
• Russell Group UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership representing 24 leading UK universities providing careers information and 'Informed Choices' guide to post-16 choices. Links help students understand progression pathways to higher education.
• Greater Manchester Sixth Form CollegescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of local colleges including William Hulme's Grammar School, Loreto College, Salford City College, Stockport College, Trafford College, Xaverian College, Aquinas College, Cheadle College, Myerscough College, and Parrs Wood Sixth Form providing post-16 progression pathways.
• National Careers ServiceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment careers service providing information on career planning, courses, apprenticeships, CV writing, and application forms for students and parents.
• Safer Internet CentreminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for promoting online safety, providing resources for parents and students on safer internet use.
• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw enforcement partnership providing safety centre resources for reporting online concerns and accessing support.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oasis Academy MediaCityUK: A secondary academy operated by Oasis Community Learning multi-academy trust in a similar urban context, providing broader incumbent comparability on MAT-scale governance, admissions, and enrichment programming.
• Oasis Community Learning: One of the largest multi-academy trusts in England operating primary and secondary academies nationally, representing a broader incumbent comparable on MAT-scale operations, centralized curriculum design, and trust-level governance models.

Direct peers

• Accrington Academy: Another United Learning secondary academy operating under the same multi-academy trust structure with similar governance, curriculum framework, and per-pupil funding model. Closest comparable on trust alignment, operating model, and student demographic profile.
• Stockport Academy: A United Learning secondary academy in Greater Manchester serving a similar urban catchment with comparable admissions process through local authority and same trust-level curriculum and pastoral frameworks.
• Salford City Academy: United Learning secondary academy in Salford, Greater Manchester, operating under identical trust structure with comparable year-group capacity, enrichment programme approach, and post-16 progression pathways.
• The Academy of St Nicholas: A United Learning secondary academy in Liverpool operating under the same trust governance and educational framework, providing direct operational comparability on admissions, curriculum delivery, and enrichment offerings.
• William Hulme's Grammar School: A United Learning school in Manchester referenced as a progression partner, sharing the same trust infrastructure and serving overlapping Manchester families across primary-to-secondary and post-16 pathways.

Regional players

• Parrs Wood High School: A Manchester secondary school cited as a Manchester Academy progression partner, serving an overlapping Greater Manchester student population and competing for similar parental choice within travel-to-school distance.
• Trinity Church of England High School: A Manchester secondary school competing for the same local cohort of families within the Greater Manchester catchment, with overlapping curriculum and admissions profile though operating under different governance.

Others

• Pearson Edexcel: The GCSE exam board whose qualifications Manchester Academy students sit, making it an adjacent enabling organization in the school's core educational delivery and assessment pathway rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/McrAcademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/McrAcademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/MCRAcademyHighSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/manchester-academy-united-learning
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcracademyschool

Compliance5 records

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 Manchester Academy - United Learning