Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST)

What Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST) does

Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST) is a UK Multi-Academy Trust — a charitable company limited by guarantee — operating a network of 20 state-funded schools (infant, junior, primary, and specialist settings) across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham, and Southwark in Southeast England. All settings are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, with Perry Hall Primary School identified as a standout for pupil outcomes. The trust operates under the principles of Nurture, Education, Succeed, Transform and is led by CEO Paula Farrow OBE, supported by a CFO, Director of People, Director of Premises & Estates, Assistant Directors of Academies, and a network of headteachers.

NEST's revenue model is predominantly government-funded via per-pupil grants administered through the Education and Skills Funding Agency, supplemented by fee income from NEST Nurseries and Extended Schools' Provision (before- and after-school care, clubs, and wraparound services). The trust also leads the Thames South Teaching School Hub, one of 87 nationally designated by the Department for Education, delivering teacher training and professional development across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich. Underlying technology comprises standard school management systems, individual school websites, admissions portals, and a dedicated Teaching School Hub website; no proprietary AI or data platform is identified in the source data.

Go-to-market is community-led, relying on direct parent admissions via the national admissions code, local reputation, and a recruitment pipeline targeting teachers and governance volunteers. NEST has expanded through school acquisition (e.g., Grove Primary School, formerly Dog Kennel Hill, in East Dulwich) and by extending sub-brands (NEST Nurseries, NEST Thames South Teaching School Hub, Extended Schools' Provision). As a not-for-profit, the trust does not raise equity funding and reports no disclosed revenue figures.

Name

Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST)

Legal name

Nexus Education Schools Trust

Website

https://nestschools.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NEST is a UK Multi-Academy Trust running 20 state-funded primary schools across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham, and Southwark, funded mainly by government per-pupil grants and supplemented by nurseries, wraparound care, and a DfE-designated Teaching School Hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Beckenham

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 Education Funding: As a Multi-Academy Trust operating state-funded schools, NEST receives government funding through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) based on pupil numbers across its 20 schools. This is the primary revenue stream for the trust.
2. Teaching School Hub Services: The Thames South Teaching School Hub delivers teacher training and professional development programs, generating revenue through these educational services to schools across the region.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NEST is a UK Multi-Academy Trust that delivers state-funded primary education through a network of 20 infant, junior, primary, and specialist schools across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham, and Southwark. The trust also provides early years education via NEST Nurseries, teacher training and professional development through the DfE-designated Thames South Teaching School Hub, and wraparound care through Extended Schools' Provision.

Product overview

Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST) operates as a multi-academy trust comprising a network of 20 schools (infant, junior, primary, and specialist schools) across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham, and Southwark, UK. The trust offers a portfolio of educational services including NEST Academies (core school network), NEST Nurseries (early years education), NEST Thames South Teaching School Hub (teacher training and professional development), and Extended Schools' Provision (wraparound care). All schools within the trust are rated Good or Outstanding. The trust also leads the Thames South Teaching School Hub, designated by the Department for Education as one of 87 Teaching School Hubs, delivering exceptional teacher training and professional development across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEST Nurseries: Early years nursery provision offering warm and nurturing environment for children, providing exceptional care and inspiring learning experiences.
• NEST Thames South Teaching School Hub
• NEST Academies

Products and services

• NEST Academies A network of 20 primary, infant, junior, and specialist schools across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham, and Southwark operating under the Nexus Education Schools Trust umbrella, all rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. The academies deliver the national curriculum funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to children typically aged 4–11.
• NEST Nurseries Early years childcare and education services for young children before formal school age, offering warm, nurturing environments and inspiring learning experiences as part of NEST's pre-school provision.
• NEST Thames South Teaching School Hub A Department for Education-designated Teaching School Hub providing teacher training, initial teacher training (ITT), and continuing professional development (CPD) across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich, empowering teachers with evidence-informed development programmes.
• Extended Schools' Provision Before and after-school care services offered across many NEST schools, providing safe, nurturing wraparound spaces with activities including physical play, creative arts, and social connection opportunities for pupils.

Quantifiable outcome

• All NEST settings are Good or Outstanding (Ofsted)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Thames South Teaching School HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEST leads the Thames South Teaching School Hub, one of 87 designated by the Department for Education. The Hub serves as a centre of excellence for teacher training and professional development, providing tailored support for educators across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich through partnerships with national, regional, and local experts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Learning: National Multi-Academy Trust running both independent and state-funded schools, with strong teacher-training programmes. Comparable in operating mixed primary provision and emphasis on professional development.
• Academies Enterprise Trust: Large national MAT operating primary and secondary academies across England. Comparable as a scaled MAT operator pursuing school improvement and network expansion.
• ARK (Absolute Return for Kids): Large UK MAT operating a network of primary and secondary academies with a mission-driven approach similar to NEST's community ethos. Comparable in operating model and geographic overlap in London.
• Oasis Community Learning: UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies with a strong community-hub ethos. Comparable as a values-driven trust with wraparound family services and active school-acquisition strategy.
• Harris Federation: One of the UK's largest Multi-Academy Trusts, operating primary and secondary academies across London and Southeast England. Directly comparable as a regional MAT with strong Ofsted outcomes and an active school-acquisition strategy.
• Greenshaw Learning Trust: Regional MAT operating primary and secondary schools across London and the South. Comparable to NEST in geographic focus, mixed-phase schools, and active acquisition strategy.
• Star Academies: Multi-Academy Trust operating a network of primary and secondary schools with a strong track record on outcomes. Comparable as a values-driven MAT with regional focus on underserved areas.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: Primary-focused Multi-Academy Trust with a national footprint, comparable to NEST in its primary-school emphasis and growing network of academies in Southeast England.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Large UK MAT operating a network of primary and secondary academies with a strong focus on school improvement and consistent outcomes. Comparable as a multi-region MAT with a similar growth-by-acquisition approach.

Emerging players

• Communitas Education Schools Trust: Smaller UK Multi-Academy Trust previously led by NEST's Thames South Teaching School Hub Director Nick Tildesley. Comparable as a peer regional MAT and a prior-employer connection to NEST's leadership team.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/110441798977022
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nexus-education-schools-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST)