What Oak Lodge School does

Oak Lodge School is a state-funded special academy located in North London (Heath View, London N2 0QY) and managed by Barnet Special Education Trust. It is funded to provide 195 places for students aged 11–19 with a wide range of learning difficulties, including autism. The school delivers a full educational pathway from Key Stage 3 through Key Stage 4 and into a Post-16 department, with a complementary Oakbridge Special Education College transition programme. Specialist therapeutic support is embedded through the SCERTS model (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support), sensory processing programmes, and on-site speech and language, occupational, and music therapy.

The school operates a standard educational technology stack comprising CPOMS for safeguarding, Microsoft SharePoint for staff collaboration, Eduspot School Money for parent payments and meals, and Greenhouse School Websites for its digital presence. There is no proprietary technology product; the technology layer is operational rather than commercial. Teaching and learning rely on differentiated SEN curriculum design, community access programmes, careers education, and remote learning capabilities rather than software platforms.

The business model is dominated by state education funding channelled through the Local Authority on a per-place basis, supplemented by ancillary income from Outreach Services, Training and Consultancy offered to other schools and professionals, and the newly launched Breakfast Club. As a state-funded academy, no tuition fees are charged. The school is led by Headteacher Charlotte Charlesworth (BA MA NPQH) and currently employs 53 staff. Strategic positioning is reinforced by three consecutive Outstanding OFSTED ratings and National Autistic Society Advanced Accreditation Status.

Name

Oak Lodge School

Legal name

Oak Lodge School

Website

https://oaklodge.barnet.sch.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Oak Lodge School is a state-funded special academy in North London, managed by Barnet Special Education Trust, providing 195 places for students aged 11–19 with learning difficulties, including autism, with embedded therapy and outreach services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Online / Virtual Schools & Remote Programs (EDAKAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Special academy provision
• Autism support education
• Learning difficulties curriculum
• Therapeutic education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

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

Revenue model

1. State Education Funding: As a state-funded academy, Oak Lodge School receives government funding through the Local Authority based on student enrollment. The school offers 195 places for students aged 11-19 with learning difficulties. Additional services such as training, consultancy, and outreach services may generate supplementary revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Oak Lodge School is a state-funded special academy offering 195 places for students aged 11-19 with a wide range of learning difficulties. It delivers individualized curricula across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Post-16, supplemented by on-site therapy provision (speech and language, occupational, music therapy), the SCERTS model for autism, sensory processing programs, Community Access, and Careers Education and Guidance. It also provides Training, Consultancy, and an Outreach Service to other schools and professionals.

Product overview

Oak Lodge School is a special academy managed by Barnet Special Education Trust offering 195 places for students aged 11-19 with learning difficulties. The school operates as a unified educational service rather than a modular software platform. Core educational offerings include specialized Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Post-16 curricula tailored for special needs students. The school integrates therapeutic support through its SCERTS and Sensory Processing Program and Therapy Provision services. Additional programs include the Oakbridge Special Education College for transitional further education, Community Access for life skills development, Remote Learning capabilities, and Careers Education and Guidance. The school also extends its expertise externally through Outreach Service and Training and Consultancy offerings. A recent addition is the Breakfast Club service launched in 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Education Services (Ages 11-19) Core educational provision for students aged 11-19 with learning difficulties, offering 195 funded places under the Barnet Special Education Trust. Includes individualized learning programs, therapy provision, and transition support toward adult life.
• Key Stage 3 Curriculum Educational program for students in years 7-9, covering core and supplementary subjects aligned with national curriculum requirements adapted for special education needs.
• Key Stage 4 Curriculum Educational program for students in years 10-11, preparing students for GCSE qualifications and transitional next steps toward further education or employment.
• Post-16 Department Further education program for students aged 16-19, providing continued learning, vocational training, and transition support toward adulthood and independent living.
• SCERTS and Sensory Processing Program Specialized therapeutic program using the SCERTS model (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) to support students with autism and sensory processing needs.
• Therapy Provision On-site therapeutic services provided to students including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and music therapy, delivered as part of the school's specialist SEN provision.
• Oakbridge Special Education College Further education provision for students transitioning beyond the main school, offering specialized vocational and life skills training to support adult independence.
• Community Access Program Program designed to help students develop independence and life skills through structured community-based learning experiences beyond the school environment.
• Careers Education and Guidance Career counseling and guidance program helping students plan for future education, employment, and independent living as part of preparation for adult life.
• Outreach Service Advisory and support service offered to external schools and educational professionals seeking expert guidance on special education practices and autism support.
• Training and Consultancy Professional development and consulting services for educators, schools, and other settings on special education approaches, autism support, and SCERTS-based practices.
• Breakfast Club Morning breakfast service launched in June 2024, providing meals to students before the school day begins, with a published menu and parent payment via the Eduspot School Money platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Outstanding rating in three consecutive OFSTED inspections

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Barnet Special Education TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarnet Special Education Trust is the academy trust that manages Oak Lodge School. The trust provides governance, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the special school, which is funded to offer 195 places for students aged 11-19 with learning difficulties.
• National Autistic SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Autistic Society provides Advanced Accreditation Status to Oak Lodge School, recognizing excellence in autism-specific educational provision. This accreditation demonstrates the school's specialized expertise in supporting students on the autism spectrum.
• MOON PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOON Partnership is a research engagement initiative referenced in the school's curriculum, indicating collaborative educational development partnerships.
• Hearts of Oak School CharityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHearts of Oak School Charity is a related charity linked from the school's quick links, potentially providing additional support or fundraising for school initiatives.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ambitious about Autism: Ambitious about Autism is a national charity operating multiple special schools and services for autistic pupils across the UK, including TreeHouse. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the same SEND/autism school segment.
• National Autistic Society: The National Autistic Society is the UK's largest autism charity, accredits schools through its Advanced Accreditation scheme (held by Oak Lodge) and runs schools such as Sybil Elgar. It is the standard-setting body for Oak Lodge's autism provision.

Direct peers

• Linden Lodge School: Linden Lodge School is a Wandsworth special school supporting pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and visual impairment. Comparable as a London-based special academy providing highly specialized SEND provision and therapies.
• TreeHouse School: TreeHouse School is a London-based special school run by Ambitious about Autism serving autistic students with severe learning difficulties. It is one of the most directly comparable London special academies for autism/SEND provision alongside Oak Lodge.
• Woodlands School: Woodlands School is an Ealing-based special academy supporting pupils aged 3-19 with severe learning difficulties and autism. Comparable as a London borough special school delivering KS3-KS5 SEND provision with integrated therapies.
• Perseid School: Perseid School is a Merton-based special academy for pupils aged 3-19 with severe and complex learning difficulties. Closely comparable London borough special school serving a similar age range and SEN profile.
• Manor Green School: Manor Green School is a special academy in Crawley, West Sussex, for pupils aged 3-19 with severe and complex learning needs including autism. Comparable as a regional special school with therapy-led provision.
• Cherry Trees School: Cherry Trees School is a Barnet-based special academy for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties, also operating under Barnet Special Education Trust alongside Oak Lodge School. Highly comparable as a peer within the same multi-academy trust.
• Sybil Elgar School: Sybil Elgar School is a National Autistic Society day school in London for children and young people on the autism spectrum with associated learning difficulties. Shares NAS-accredited special school model with Oak Lodge.

Others

• Barnet Special Education Trust: Barnet Special Education Trust is the multi-academy trust that governs Oak Lodge School and other Barnet special schools. Relevant as the parent governance body influencing strategy, funding, and portfolio expansion opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oak-lodge-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Oak Lodge School