Mossbourne Federation

What Mossbourne Federation does

Mossbourne Federation is a private multi-academy trust (MAT) registered in England and Wales (company number 04468267) that operates 9 state-funded schools across Hackney, London and Thurrock, Essex. Its portfolio comprises 3 primary academies (Mossbourne Parkside Academy, Mossbourne Riverside Academy, Mossbourne Herd Lane Academy), 4 secondary academies (Mossbourne Community Academy, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Mossbourne Port Side Academy), and 2 sixth forms (Mossbourne Sixth Form Hackney and Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock). Founded in 2004 by Sir Clive Bourne, the federation is built on the 'Mossbourne Mindset' philosophy — values of Excellence, Unity, and No Excuses — and operates on the premise that inner-city state-educated children can achieve outcomes comparable to the best schools nationally. Beyond academic core curriculum, it runs a 'super-curriculum' of co-curricular programmes including the UK's first school-based NHS Cadets course, a Medical Society / Medicine Bursary Programme, an Architecture and Built Environment Programme, a Combined Cadet Force, and an extensive Music Programme.

The federation's revenue model is dominated by UK government per-pupil funding for state education, supplemented by facilities hire at four academy sites (booked via the Enni platform) and transactional income from school meals (free for London primaries and Reception–Year 2 in Thurrock; £2.60 for other Thurrock primary pupils; £2.90 meal deal at secondary). Underlying technology consists of off-the-shelf school systems: Squarespace for web, ProgressTeaching (at MCA, MVPA, MRA, MPA, MFA, MPSA) and Arbor (at MHLA) for parent communication, ParentPay for online payments, and Enni for facilities booking. The federation is governed by a Central Federation Board chaired by Toby Campbell-Gray, with a CEO (Peter Hughes), CFO (Gabrielle Mata), CHRO (Jody Larkin), and an Executive Leadership Team; internal professional development is channelled through the Elixir team with named leads across Primary Curriculum, Secondary Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, SEND, Safeguarding, and Assessment. The federation expanded substantially in late 2024 via a merger with Ortu Trust, adding four Thurrock academies and its second sixth form.

Name

Mossbourne Federation

Legal name

Mossbourne Federation

Website

https://mossbourne.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mossbourne Federation is a UK multi-academy trust operating 9 state-funded primary, secondary and sixth-form academies across Hackney and Thurrock, delivering education under the 'Mossbourne Mindset' philosophy and serving inner-city students and families via per-pupil government funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 State Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA), Cross-District Consortia & Shared Services Authorities (EDADABAN)

Keywords

• State education services
• Primary school education
• Secondary school education
• Sixth form education
• Multi-academy trust

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As a Multi Academy Trust, Mossbourne Federation receives government funding for educating students. This is the primary revenue stream for the federation, based on per-pupil funding rates set by the UK government for state-funded education.
2. Facilities Hire: The federation generates supplementary revenue by hiring out academy facilities (sports facilities, performance spaces, meeting rooms) to external parties outside of school hours. Facilities available at Mossbourne Community Academy, Victoria Park Academy, Fobbing Academy, and Port Side Academy.
3. School Meals: Revenue from paid school meals at secondary level (£2.90 meal deal) and some primary level meals in Thurrock. Primary meals are free in London and for Reception-Year 2 in Thurrock.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mossbourne Federation is a multi-academy trust that operates nine state-funded schools across Hackney and Thurrock: three primary academies, four secondary academies, and two sixth forms. It delivers an all-through education for children aged 3 to 18 built on the 'Mossbourne Mindset' of Excellence, Unity and No Excuses, supplemented by co-curricular programmes (Combined Cadet Force, Medicine Programme, Architecture Programme, Music) and teacher training. The federation also generates ancillary revenue through paid secondary school meals and the hire of academy facilities to the community.

Product overview

Mossbourne Federation is a multi-academy trust comprising 9 educational institutions: 3 primary academies (Mossbourne Parkside Academy, Mossbourne Riverside Academy, Mossbourne Herd Lane Academy), 4 secondary academies (Mossbourne Community Academy, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Mossbourne Port Side Academy), and 2 sixth form colleges (Mossbourne Sixth Form Hackney, Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock). The federation operates a unified educational approach built on its 'Mossbourne Mindset' philosophy of Excellence, Unity, and No Excuses. Beyond core academics, the federation offers co-curricular programmes including Combined Cadet Force, Medicine Programme, Architecture and Built Environment Programme, and Music Programme. Teacher training and professional development services are also provided.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mossbourne Mindset: The federation's core educational philosophy based on high standards, high expectations, and the belief that all children can achieve excellence.
• Elixir
• Mossbournian

Products and services

• Mossbourne Community Academy (MCA) Secondary academy in Hackney founded in 2004 as one of the country's first academies. Named 5th Best Non-Selective State School in the Country 2025 (The Telegraph) and The Times' Secondary School of the Year 2023, with retained Ofsted 'Outstanding' judgment.
• Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) Secondary academy serving South Hackney, opened in 2014, with academic outcomes ranking among the very best in the country.
• Mossbourne Fobbing Academy (MFA) Secondary academy in Thurrock with a rich history of academic, artistic and sporting achievement, joining Mossbourne Federation in late 2024 via the Ortu Trust merger.
• Mossbourne Port Side Academy (MPSA) Agile and dynamic secondary school in Thurrock experiencing rapid improvement and growing popularity, offering Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh's Award programmes.
• Mossbourne Parkside Academy (MPA) Primary academy serving the East End of London for over 120 years, located in Hackney Downs, which achieved its first 'Good' Ofsted judgment in 30 years in 2021.
• Mossbourne Riverside Academy (MRA) Three-form entry primary academy opened September 2016 on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, providing a stimulating and caring environment where dignity, respect and good behaviour underpin daily life.
• Mossbourne Herd Lane Academy (MHLA) Primary academy in Corringham, serving the community since 1870, joining Mossbourne Federation in late 2024 via the Ortu Trust merger.
• Mossbourne Sixth Form Hackney (MSFH) Sixth form provision in Hackney offering A Level courses, with students regularly securing places at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group and leading international institutions, plus Medical and Architecture Bursary Programmes.
• Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock (MSFT) Sixth form provision in Thurrock offering A Level courses for students to progress into higher education, training or employment.
• Medicine Programme (MedSoc and Bursary) Medical Society (MedSoc) for Years 7-11 plus the Medicine Bursary Programme for Sixth Form students preparing for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science at university, including the UK's first school-based NHS Cadets course and simulated medical scenarios.
• Teacher Training Programme (Train With Us) Initial Teacher Training programme delivered with accredited providers, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and PGCE, offering reduced timetable, weekly mentoring, professional development and pathway to permanent teaching roles.
• Facilities Hire Service Hire of modern sports facilities, performance venues and other academy spaces outside school hours at Mossbourne Community Academy, Victoria Park Academy, Fobbing Academy and Port Side Academy, with bookings managed via the Enni platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mossbourne Community Academy ranked 5th Best Non-Selective State School in the Country (The Telegraph, September 2025)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, operational and minor.

• Ortu TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Following merger with Ortu Trust in late 2024, Mossbourne Federation expanded to include Mossbourne Port Side Academy, Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Mossbourne Herd Lane Academy, and Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock. This merger extended the federation beyond Hackney into Thurrock.
• The PantryoperationalOthersThe Pantry provides catering services for all Mossbourne academies, following school healthy eating guidelines and using seasonal produce to create balanced meal options for students. They offer vegetarian options, jacket potato and pasta bar daily, with menus rotated on a 3-week basis.
• WizeUpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWizeUp delivered financial literacy workshops to Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock students as part of PSHE Day, providing practical guidance on budgeting, saving, investing, and cryptocurrency.
• NHSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS delivered interactive career sessions for students interested in Medicine and Healthcare careers at Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock PSHE Day.
• LSH (Lambert Smith Hampton)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSH delivered specialist workshops on careers in real estate for students at Mossbourne Sixth Form Thurrock PSHE Day.
• Initial Teacher Training ProviderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMossbourne works with a range of accredited Initial Teacher Training providers for their Train to Teach programme. All programmes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), with many offering PGCE qualifications. The federation provides placement opportunities for trainee teachers across all academies.
• Architectural and Built Environment ProfessionalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Architecture and Built Environment Programme includes opportunities for students to meet practicing architects, engineers, city planners and other built environment professionals throughout their time at Mossbourne, leading to Sixth Form portfolio development and university application support.
• UK's NHS (NHS Cadets Programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UK's first school-based NHS Cadets course is offered to Year 9 students through the Mossbourne Medical Society. This provides introduction to healthcare career paths within the MedSoc 7-11 programme.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: GEMS Education is one of the world's largest K-12 private school operators, with a portfolio spanning multiple countries. It is not a direct competitor (different geographies and funding model) but represents the broader K-12 operator category and a benchmark for scaling school brands globally.

Direct peers

• ARK Academies: ARK is a UK charity running a network of academies with a mission to give every child, regardless of background, a great education. Like Mossbourne, ARK operates multiple academies, targets disadvantaged communities, and is recognised for delivering strong academic outcomes from a values-driven culture.
• United Learning: United Learning is a national group of schools spanning state academies and independent schools across primary, secondary, and sixth form phases. Like Mossbourne, it offers an all-through educational pathway and centralises curriculum, professional development, and operational best practice across its portfolio.
• Harris Federation: Harris Federation is one of the largest and highest-achieving Multi Academy Trusts in England, operating primary, secondary, and sixth form academies across London and the South East. Its scale, urban footprint, and focus on high outcomes from disadvantaged intakes make it a direct structural peer to Mossbourne.
• Star Academies: Star Academies is a values-driven Multi Academy Trust known for rapidly improving outcomes at schools in some of the most deprived areas of England. Its emphasis on high expectations, character development, and a strong central operating model closely mirrors Mossbourne's approach.
• E-ACT: E-ACT is a national Multi Academy Trust operating primary and secondary academies across England, with a stated mission to open doors to opportunity for disadvantaged pupils. Its federated structure, urban footprint, and academy turnaround orientation position it as a direct peer to Mossbourne.
• Oasis Community Learning: Oasis Community Learning is a large MAT running academies across England, combining educational provision with a wider community-hub mission. Its values-led culture, multi-academy federated structure, and focus on disadvantaged communities make it directly comparable to Mossbourne.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Outwood Grange Academies Trust is a large national MAT known for its data-driven school improvement model. Its scale, central academy improvement function, and focus on lifting outcomes across a multi-academy portfolio make it a closely comparable structural peer to Mossbourne.
• Ormiston Academies Trust: Ormiston Academies Trust is one of the longest-established MATs in England, running primary, secondary, and sixth form academies nationally. Its federated operating model and emphasis on unlocking potential for young people position it as a directly comparable peer.

Emerging players

• Reach Academy Feltham: Reach Academy Feltham is a small all-through (4-18) free school in West London with a strong values-driven culture and outcomes-focused model. While much smaller than Mossbourne, its all-through structure, urban location, and mission-driven ethos make it a comparable emerging player.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mossbourne-federation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries9 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 Mossbourne Federation