The Reach Free School

What The Reach Free School does

The Reach Free School is a state-funded secondary school and sixth form located in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England, serving pupils aged 11–18 (Years 7–13) in South West Hertfordshire. It is governed by Reach Learning Ltd, an academy trust and company limited by guarantee (Companies House number 07311261) founded in July 2010, with the school opening in 2013. The school delivers a three-stage curriculum: Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9, including a Year 9 GCSE sampling programme), Key Stage 4 (GCSEs and vocational qualifications), and a Sixth Form offering A-Levels and vocational courses, supplemented by 'Reach Beyond' (a daily 30-minute personal development lesson covering PSHE, RSE, STEM, community engagement, and targeted academic support), SEND provision, and a Gatsby-Benchmark-aligned careers programme.

The school operates a conventional UK edtech stack: Google Classroom for homework and learning management, Arbor as the Management Information System and parent portal, Sparx for mathematics, Unifrog and the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal for careers, plus BBC Bitesize and Oak National Academy as curriculum resources, alongside a biometric fingerprint canteen payment system. It also runs a Community Lettings service, distributing venue hire (sports hall, dance studio, MUGA, pitches, classrooms, dining hall) to local sports clubs and event organisers via the Kajima Community BookingsPlus platform.

The core revenue model is government education funding from the ESFA per enrolled pupil, augmented by Pupil Premium, 16–19 Bursary, and SEND top-up grants, plus secondary transaction-based income from community lettings and subsidised catering. Admissions are open to all, with places allocated to EHCP, Looked After Children and siblings first, then strictly by distance, creating a structurally captive catchment. The Reach Free School received an Ofsted 'exceptional' rating in October 2024.

Name

The Reach Free School

Legal name

Reach Learning Ltd

Website

https://reachfreeschool.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Reach Free School is a state-funded secondary school and sixth form in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, serving pupils aged 11–18 in South West Hertfordshire. It delivers Key Stage 3, GCSE and A-Level curricula plus enrichment, and monetises its facilities through community venue hire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Sixth form college
• GCSE curriculum
• A-level programs
• State-funded academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Rickmansworth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As an Academy, The Reach Free School receives core funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for delivering the National Curriculum to enrolled pupils. This is the primary revenue source.
2. Pupil Premium Grant: Additional government funding allocated per pupil eligible for free school meals or in care, used to narrow attainment gaps. Managed per a published strategy document.
3. 16-19 Bursary Fund: Government funding for sixth form students meeting disadvantage criteria, used for Chromebooks, device repairs, pastoral support staff, and targeted academic sessions.
4. Community Lettings: Revenue generated from hiring out school facilities (sports hall, dance studio, pitches, classrooms, dining hall) to local community groups and organisations. Managed via the Kajima Community BookingsPlus platform.
5. SEN and Disadvantaged Pupil Funding: Additional allocations for pupils with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) and other special educational needs, covering differentiated curriculum delivery and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Reach Free School delivers state-funded secondary education and sixth form provision for pupils aged 11-18 in South West Hertfordshire. Its core offering spans Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), Key Stage 4 GCSEs, and a Sixth Form with A-Levels and vocational qualifications, supplemented by personal development (Reach Beyond), SEN support, careers education, and community facility lettings.

Product overview

The Reach Free School is a secondary school and sixth form providing education for Years 7-13 in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The school's core educational products consist of three curriculum stages: Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), Key Stage 4 leading to GCSE qualifications, and the Sixth Form offering A-Level and vocational qualifications. The Key Stage 3 Curriculum forms the foundation with a broad academic programme including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Spanish, PE, Creative Arts, and IT, featuring an innovative Year 9 GCSE sampling approach. Key Stage 4 Curriculum builds on this with compulsory GCSE subjects plus a wide range of option subjects. The Sixth Form Curriculum provides advanced study through A-Levels and vocational courses. These academic products are supplemented by enrichment modules including Reach Beyond (daily personal development covering relationships, health, citizenship, STEM, and community engagement), SEN Provision (transition support, progress testing, pupil profiles, and differentiated teaching), and CEIAG (structured careers education meeting Gatsby Benchmarks). The school also operates a Community Lettings service for venue hire of sports, events, and conference facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Key Stage 3 Curriculum (Years 7-9)

Quantifiable outcome

• Ofsted 2024: 'Pupils' experiences at this school are exceptional.' 'Sixth form students are excellent role models for others.' 'High-quality careers advice and guidance runs through the school's work.' 'Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.'
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Watford Partnership for Teacher Training (WPfTT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025The school is a member of the WPfTT, a teacher training partnership of 22 secondary, primary, and special schools, with Parmiter's School as the lead school. The partnership offers School Direct teacher training routes (salaried and unsalaried) across 19 secondary and primary subject areas. Applications are managed through the DfE teacher training portal.
• University of HertfordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025University partner for Initial Teacher Education, accredited with the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold Award. Provides university accreditation for School Direct trainee teachers placed at The Reach Free School and across the WPfTT partnership.
• Parmiter's SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Lead school within the Watford Partnership for Teacher Training. School Direct applications are listed under Parmiter's School in the DfE teacher training portal.
• DSPL Area 9 (Delivering Special Provision Locally)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHertfordshire-wide partnership approach where parents, schools, FE colleges, local authority officers and other agencies work together to improve SEND provision locally. The school participates in DSPL Area 9.
• Rickmansworth Gymnastics ClubminorOthersCommunity group that hires the school's sports hall and gymnasium facilities for regular gymnastics training sessions.
• Sports for Kids Rugby and Football AcademyminorOthersYouth sports academy that hires the school's pitches and sports facilities for regular rugby and football training sessions.
• Three Valleys Karate ClubminorOthersCommunity karate club that hires the sports hall for martial arts training sessions.
• Rickmansworth TaekwondominorOthersCommunity Taekwondo club serving both adults and children, hiring the school's sports hall for regular training sessions.
• Department for Education (DfE)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTeacher training applications are submitted via the DfE's 'Apply for teacher training' portal. The school participates in national teacher recruitment under DfE frameworks.
• Services for Young People (Hertfordshire)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHertfordshire council service providing information, advice, guidance, and work-related learning for young people. The school partners with them for personal careers guidance meetings for Years 10, 12, and 13 students.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Learning: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts, operating primary and secondary schools nationwide. Represents a possible structural peer for what Reach Learning Ltd could become through MAT expansion.
• Harris Federation: Large UK multi-academy trust operating dozens of primary and secondary academies. Provides a comparable scaled-up operating model relevant to Reach Learning Ltd's potential growth trajectory.
• Ark Schools: Established UK multi-academy trust running a network of schools, with a focus on educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils - structurally analogous to a scaled Reach Learning Ltd.

Direct peers

• Reach Academy Feltham: Small Hounslow-based free school with a similarly aspirational ethos and strong community focus, providing a comparable model of a high-performing, mission-driven free school.
• Parmiter's School: Hertfordshire secondary school that is the lead school in the Watford Partnership for Teacher Training alongside The Reach Free School. Operates a similar state-funded model with comparable pupil demographics and a strong academic and pastoral profile.
• St Clement Danes School: Secondary school in Chorleywood, South West Hertfordshire, drawing from the same local catchment and offering a comparable academic and pastoral curriculum.
• Rickmansworth School: Direct local competitor secondary school in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, drawing from the same South West Hertfordshire catchment and competing with Reach on distance-based admissions.
• Croxley Danes School: Secondary school in the Croxley/Rickmansworth area of Hertfordshire, serving a similar local demographic with a comparable academic and pastoral model.
• Bushey Meads School: Hertfordshire secondary school close to the South West Hertfordshire catchment, offering a comparable curriculum and competing for similar family profiles.

Emerging players

• Future Academies: Smaller UK multi-academy trust operating a handful of schools with a similar focus on curriculum breadth and pastoral care. A closer-size comparison for Reach Learning Ltd as a single-school trust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reachfreeschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheReachFreeSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/the-reach-free-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/reachfreeschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Reach Free School