READ ACADEMY EDUCATION

What READ ACADEMY EDUCATION does

Read Academy Education is an independent, private Islamic faith-based school located at 36-38 Mansfield Road, Ilford, within the London Borough of Redbridge, United Kingdom. Established in 2013, it serves boys and girls aged 3-16 across Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Primary (Key Stages 1-2), and Secondary (Key Stages 3-4) through to GCSE level. The school's defining proposition is the integration of the UK National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Qur'aan, Hadith, Seerah, Arabic language, and tarbiyah (spiritual nurturing), positioning it as a full K-12 alternative for Muslim families in the Redbridge catchment. It holds an Ofsted rating of GOOD with Outstanding Features from its July 2023 inspection, the most recent in a series dating back to 2014.

The core product set comprises an EYFS programme (Montessori-influenced, ages 3-5), a knowledge-rich Primary curriculum underpinned by ten Big Ideas, a literacy-driven Secondary curriculum with GCSE preparation (Years 9-11), SEND support with Individual Education Plans, a CEIAG careers programme aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks, British Values education, and a broad enrichment offering. Auxiliary services include hot school meals (£3.00-£3.50 per meal, 5-star food hygiene rating), a Reuse and Recycle Uniform Shop, and government-funded EYFS entitlements (15 and 30 hours). Technology infrastructure is limited and consumer-grade: Tapestry for EYFS learning journals and WatchGuard for E-Safety monitoring. There are no proprietary platforms, mobile applications, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

The business model is tuition-led subscription revenue. Annual tuition is £5,625 (Reception to Year 6) and £5,868 (Year 7 to Year 11), payable in three instalments, with a £200 admissions fee and £500 holding deposit per new family and a £500 sibling discount for the third child onward. Ancillary income streams include school meals, additional nursery hours beyond funded entitlement (£7/hour), Year 11 examination fees, and government EYFS funding. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via a multi-stage admissions funnel — website enquiry, personal school tours, Stay and Play or Taster Day visits, entry assessments, interviews, and formal enrolment — supported by Instagram, a WhatsApp channel, and email ([email protected]). The school is privately held, governed by a Board of Trustees (Chair Amran Hussain Ruhel, Vice Chair Sufyan Rashid, trustees Sami Shaikh and Zahid Saleem), with Headteacher Mr Gulam Abbas Hussain also serving as trustee. There are no disclosed funding rounds, no external investors, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity.

Name

READ ACADEMY EDUCATION

Legal name

Read Academy

Website

https://readacademy.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Read Academy is an independent Islamic faith-based school in Ilford, UK, serving boys and girls aged 3-16 by integrating the UK National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Qur'aan, and Arabic across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary phases.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Faith-Based K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Islamic faith education
• Independent school education
• Early years childcare
• Primary secondary schooling
• GCSE preparation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ilford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: The school charges annual tuition fees for Reception through Year 11 students, with payment available in three instalments. This is the primary revenue stream for the school.
2. Government Early Years Funding: The school accepts government-funded early education hours (15 and 30 hours) through the London Borough of Redbridge Early Education Funding scheme.
3. Ancillary Services: Additional revenue from school meals (£3.00-£3.50 per meal), additional nursery hours beyond funded entitlement (£7 per hour), and examination fees for Year 11 students.
4. Admissions and Enrollment Fees: One-time admissions fee of £200 and holding deposit of £500 required to secure a student's place.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Read Academy Education is an independent Muslim faith-based school established in 2013 in Ilford, UK, providing co-educational schooling for children aged 3-16 from Early Years through Key Stage 4 (GCSE). The school blends the UK National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Qur'aan, Arabic, and character development (tarbiyah), delivering education across Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary (KS1-KS2), and Secondary (KS3-KS4) phases. Ancillary services include school meals, government-funded early years entitlement, careers guidance, SEND support, and a curriculum enrichment programme.

Product overview

Read Academy Education operates as a unified educational institution offering a comprehensive K-12 programme spanning Early Years (ages 3-5), Primary (ages 5-11, Key Stages 1-2), and Secondary education (ages 11-16, Key Stages 3-4). The school combines the UK National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Qur'aan, and Arabic language instruction. Core educational programmes are supported by auxiliary services including school meals, EYFS government-funded childcare, and a uniform reuse programme. Enrichment activities, careers guidance (CEIAG), SEND support, and British Values education form integral parts of the holistic educational offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Programme Early Years curriculum for children under 5, blending Islamic values with the national EYFS curriculum. Influenced by Montessori practice with emphasis on independence, purposeful choice, and hands-on learning. Uses Tapestry learning journal for ongoing observation and assessment.
• Primary Curriculum (Key Stages 1 & 2) Comprehensive curriculum covering ages 5-11 that blends the National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Qur'aan, and Arabic. Uses Knowledge-Rich Projects and Imaginative Learning Projects, underpinned by ten Big Ideas framework.
• Secondary Curriculum (Key Stages 3 & 4) Knowledge-rich, literacy-driven curriculum for ages 11-16 designed to secure strong academic outcomes and Islamic understanding. KS4 prepares students for GCSE qualifications and post-16 pathways.
• GCSE Preparation Programme Year 9-11 GCSE Options process guiding students through pathway choices to maximize their potential, with carefully selected qualifications for progression to post-16 education.
• Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Comprehensive careers programme based on Gatsby Benchmarks and CDI framework, providing students with access to labour market information, employer encounters, and impartial careers advice.
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Support Inclusive support services including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), ELSA groups, mindfulness sessions, zones of regulation training, and internal/external mentoring for students with special educational needs.
• Curriculum Enrichment Programme Broad enrichment programme including educational visits, inspirational visitors, themed days, SMSC development activities, and student leadership opportunities.
• School Meals Service Hot lunch catering service priced at £3.00 per meal for EYFS and KS1 and £3.50 for KS2-KS4, including main course, side dish, and dessert. Facilities hold a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students develop confident Muslim identity rooted in good character and moral responsibility, ready to succeed in education and live purposeful lives in modern Britain.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AilunaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2023Sustainability engagement training organisation that collaborated with Read Academy's Eco-Warriors student ambassadors on practical ways to innovate for a sustainable future and advocate environmental rights at the school. Ailuna Founder Lars Rønning and app programme designer Gemma Annan worked directly with students.
• RAPTA (Parent Teacher Association)coreOthersRAPTA is the school's official Parent Teacher Association that strengthens the bond between families and the school through events, fundraising, and community projects including family mixers and the annual Feeding the Homeless Project.
• Serving HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough partnership with Serving Humanity, students and volunteers take part in meal drives and outreach projects that help vulnerable people. This partnership encourages compassion and a sense of social responsibility within the community.
• Masjid-E-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque, Madinah)minorOthersStudent Yaseen from Year 10 received his Al-Quran Ijaza certification from Masjid-E-Nabawi in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. This is a significant religious milestone for students pursuing Qur'aanic studies.
• LSC (London School of Crystallography)minorOthersLSC Director visited the school to provide KS4 students with valuable advice and inspiration for their next steps. The school hosts inspirational visitors and educational enrichment activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ebrahim Academy: London-based Islamic school offering primary and secondary education that integrates Islamic studies with the National Curriculum. Closely comparable mission and operating model to Read Academy.
• Al-Khair School: UK Islamic independent school group providing primary and secondary education rooted in Islamic values alongside the National Curriculum. Direct peer in both curriculum model and target community.
• Islamia Boys' School: London-based Islamic independent school offering primary and secondary education with a faith-integrated curriculum. Direct competitor for faith-conscious families seeking K-12 provision in the Greater London area.
• Islamia Girls' High School: UK Islamic faith-based independent secondary school serving a similar demographic in London. Closely comparable to Read Academy in combining a strong Islamic ethos with academic provision, but operates as a girls-only secondary school.

Broad incumbents

• JFS (Jews' Free School): Large UK faith-based K-12 school serving a religious community in London. Comparable as a faith-integrated K-12 provider, though on a materially larger scale and serving a different faith community.
• Avanti Schools Trust: Multi-academy trust operating faith-inspired schools across England. Comparable as a faith-based K-12 provider at scale, though predominantly state-funded rather than independent fee-based.

Emerging players

• Lantern of Knowledge: Smaller Islamic education provider in the UK offering supplementary Islamic and academic tuition. Comparable target audience but narrower scope than Read Academy's full K-12 offering.

Regional players

• Waltham Forest Muslim Schools: Faith-based school in the Greater London area serving Muslim families with primary education. Comparable as a regional faith-based K-12 alternative, though operating in a different London borough.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/readacademyeducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/read-academy-education

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 READ ACADEMY EDUCATION