What The Pinnacle Learning Trust does

The Pinnacle Learning Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) and charitable company registered in England (company number 07687135), headquartered at Oldham Sixth Form College in Oldham. Established in September 2017 through the partnership of Oldham Sixth Form College and The Hathershaw College, it operates five wholly-owned academies spanning the full educational range: Oldham Sixth Form College (post-16), The Hathershaw College (secondary), and three primaries — Werneth Primary School, Broadfield Primary School and Alexandra Park Junior School. The trust serves 4,200+ children and young people aged 2-18 and manages over £35 million per annum of public funds, with revenue principally derived from Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) formula funding allocated per pupil.

The core technology footprint is effectively nil: the trust delivers traditional educational services rather than technology products. Beyond direct academy delivery, the trust monetises a secondary Professional Development Services stream through external CPD courses — the Curriculum Leadership Programme is free for LA-maintained schools and priced at £150 per person for MAT schools, with a Science Technicians Conference at £100 per delegate. Go-to-market for academy growth is event-driven and DfE-application-gated: schools apply to join the trust through a formal Department for Education consultation process. Professional development is marketed through direct outreach, the trust website, and partnerships with Teaching School Hubs and local authorities.

Strategic positioning rests on three pillars: (1) the Pinnacle Learning Research School, re-designated in September 2023 as the first sixth form college to hold full EEF Research School status, giving the trust a privileged role in evidence-based practice dissemination; (2) a Strategic Partner role in the East Manchester Teaching School Hub and Delivery Lead status for National Professional Qualifications in partnership with UCL; and (3) a cross-phase integrated educational model that supports pupil transitions, teacher development and staff retention — evidenced by top-10 Edurio Trust Value and Staff Choice Awards in 2024 and 2025, and the 2025 MAT Excellence Award for Wellbeing Trust of the Year.

Name

The Pinnacle Learning Trust

Legal name

The Pinnacle Learning Trust

Website

https://pinnaclelearningtrust.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Pinnacle Learning Trust is a charitable Multi-Academy Trust based in Oldham, England, operating five academies across primary, secondary and sixth form phases serving 4,200+ pupils aged 2-18, with a secondary professional development and Research School (EEF) stream serving schools across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education (Multi-Academy Trust)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Multi-academy trust
• Primary and secondary education
• Sixth form college
• Teacher professional development
• Research school CPD

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Academy Funding: Government funding through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for operating academies. Schools within the trust receive formula funding based on pupil numbers and characteristics.
2. Professional Development Services: The trust generates revenue from external CPD courses, with some courses offered free to LA maintained schools and priced at £150 per person for MAT schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Pinnacle Learning Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust operating five schools and colleges in Oldham, England, delivering primary, secondary and post-16 education to more than 4,200 children and young people aged 2-18. Beyond direct academy delivery, the trust provides sector-leading continuing professional development (CPD) and Initial Teacher Education to staff within and beyond the trust, including the Pinnacle Learning Research School designation, NPQ programmes through the East Manchester Teaching School Hub, and specialised conferences. Revenue is primarily government ESFA funding per pupil, supplemented by externally-priced CPD courses.

Product overview

The Pinnacle Learning Trust operates as a multi-academy trust with five educational institutions spanning primary, secondary, and sixth form college phases. The Trust's portfolio includes Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC), The Hathershaw College, Werneth Primary School, Broadfield Primary School, and Alexandra Park Junior School. Beyond direct educational delivery, the Trust offers professional development services through its Pinnacle Learning Research School (designated September 2023) and East Manchester Teaching School Hub partnership, providing evidence-based CPD programmes, NPQ qualifications, and specialized training courses for educators across the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pinnacle Learning Research School: The Research School designation under the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), providing evidence-based professional development and supporting the use of research in teaching practice.

Products and services

• Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC) A nationally recognised sixth form college providing post-16 education, preparing students for university, apprenticeships, and careers through A-Levels and T-Level programmes. Also hosts the trust's Pinnacle Learning Research School designation.
• The Hathershaw College A secondary school providing GCSE and post-16 education with a focus on exceptional experiences and academic achievement; partners with the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST) on the Andrew Lloyd Webber programme.
• Werneth Primary School A primary school committed to ensuring pupils make excellent progress through a broad curriculum, with strong focus on reading and evidence-informed teaching practices; serves a high EAL population (55% inwardly mobile).
• Broadfield Primary School A primary school focused on ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential and become lifelong learners; celebrates diversity and teaches respect for differences; recognised in top 10 of the Edurio Staff Choice Award.
• Alexandra Park Junior School A junior school where every child is valued and encouraged to achieve their best, developing full potential academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
• Professional Development Services (CPD) Sector-leading professional development for staff within the trust and external CPD offer, including curriculum leadership programmes, leadership development, and behaviour management courses; free for LA maintained schools, £150 per person for MAT schools.
• Pinnacle Learning Research School A full Research School (EEF-designated) providing evidence-based practice support, Research Digest sessions, and professional development through the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) network.
• East Manchester Teaching School Hub A school-led centre of excellence for teacher training and development, with the trust as a key strategic partner providing high-quality professional development and acting as Delivery Lead for National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) in partnership with UCL.
• National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) Programmes Programmes delivered in partnership with UCL and the East Manchester Teaching School Hub covering leadership development, curriculum leadership, and implementation and impact for deputies and headteachers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Staff responses 16% above national benchmark for 'likelihood to recommend workplace as good place to work'
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• East Manchester Teaching School HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinnacle Learning Trust is a key Strategic Partner in the East Manchester Teaching School Hub. The trust provides professional development opportunities for Specialist Leaders of Education and is the Delivery Lead for National Professional Qualifications in partnership with UCL. The partnership includes providing training for Secondary Subject Network Groups and leading the Assistant Head Teachers' teaching and learning network group.
• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe trust operates as a Research School funded through the EEF. Part of the Research Schools Network leading evidence-based practice. Hosted international delegation through EEF's Evidence for Education Network (EEN).
• Leerpunt (Flemish Government Evidence Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership through EEF's Evidence for Education Network. Leerpunt partnered with EEF to adapt EEF resources for Flemish educators. Werneth Primary School hosted delegation from Leerpunt to observe evidence-informed practice.
• Research Schools NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pinnacle Learning Research School (OSFC re-designated September 2023) is part of the national Research Schools Network, leading evidence-based practice across the education sector.
• Oldham LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe trust has provided support to Oldham Learning since its inception in 2017, with expert advice, delivery of high-quality CPD, materials, and ongoing support to the sector.
• Churchill Cleaning ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerValued partner supporting Eco Conferences. Sharon Taylor led engaging quiz on food waste at Eco Conference 2025. Partner for Eco Conference 2026 judging.
• Willmott DixonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company partner for Eco Conference 2026. Social Value Team delivered workshop on environmental awareness campaigns with students.
• Philip HarrisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for PLT Technicians Conference 2026. Philip Harris funded 5 bursary places for the event. Event held at Regional Science Centre, OSFC.
• Woodland TrustminorOthersDonated trees and shrubs for Eco Conference tree planting activities across 2024 and 2025.
• Manchester Metropolitan UniversityminorOthersInitial Teacher Training provider for Core PGCE programmes across the trust.
• University of ManchesterminorOthersInitial Teacher Training provider for Core PGCE programmes across the trust.
• Manchester Nexus SCITTcoreOthersThe trust has worked closely with Nexus Manchester SCITT for many years for Initial Teacher Education placements. OSFC is now the strategic lead for SCITT 14-19 courses.
• Edge Hill UniversityminorOthersInitial Teacher Training provider for Core PGCE programmes across the trust.
• University of HuddersfieldminorOthersInitial Teacher Training provider for Core PGCE programmes across the trust.
• UCLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinnacle Learning Trust is Delivery Lead for National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) in partnership with UCL through the East Manchester Teaching School Hub.
• Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Andrew Lloyd Webber programme at Hathershaw College, providing world-class musical opportunities for students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Greenwood Academies Trust: Mid-sized multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands. Comparable as a similarly-sized UK MAT with central professional development functions and a comparable growth trajectory via school conversions.
• Star Academies: Large UK multi-academy trust operating a network of primary and secondary schools across multiple regions, with a similar focus on staff development, outcomes for disadvantaged learners, and national profile in MAT awards — directly comparable in structure, scale ambition, and sector recognition.
• Nova Education Trust: Mid-sized East Midlands multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools. Comparable in MAT structure, central team size, focus on school improvement partnerships, and willingness to grow through academy conversions.
• L.E.A.D. Academy Trust: Multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands. Like Pinnacle, L.E.A.D. emphasises leadership development, evidence-informed practice, and a strong central CPD offering for member schools and beyond.
• The Active Learning Trust: East of England multi-academy trust operating primary, secondary and post-16 institutions. Comparable in cross-phase provision, central team-led professional development offer, and conversion-driven growth model.

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts, operating schools from primary through sixth form. While substantially larger, United Learning's all-phase offering, central team model, and professional development arm make it the closest large-scale incumbent benchmark.
• E-ACT: National multi-academy trust running a portfolio of academies across primary, secondary, and post-16 phases. Comparable in operating all phases through a centralised MAT structure with shared services and a focus on outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Major northern England multi-academy trust operating dozens of primary and secondary schools. Comparable as a northern-headquartered MAT with centralised CPD systems, a research-engaged teaching culture, and similar outreach beyond core regions.
• Oasis Community Learning: National multi-academy trust operating schools across all phases in the UK. Comparable in cross-phase educational model, national-scale CPD provision, and a values-led brand — though much larger geographically than The Pinnacle Learning Trust.

Others

• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF): Sector funder of the Research Schools Network of which Pinnacle Learning Research School is a member. Relevant not as a competitor but as the strategic partner whose evidence base the trust leverages, and whose international Evidence-for-Education network has directly involved Pinnacle schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pinnacletrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-pinnacle-learning-trust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries5 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 The Pinnacle Learning Trust