Simon Balle All-through School
Simon Balle All-through School is a state-funded UK academy in Hertford serving approximately 1,000-1,400 students aged 4-18 on a single Mangrove Road campus, rated Ofsted Outstanding and part of the Laurel Education Trust. It is government-funded per-pupil with no tuition fees, supported by ancillary facilities hire and holiday-club revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersHertford, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Simon Balle All-through School does
Simon Balle All-through School is a state-funded academy in Hertford, Hertfordshire, serving approximately 1,000-1,400 students aged 4 to 18 across a single Mangrove Road campus. The school operates an all-through educational model — a 14-year continuous journey from Reception through Year 13 — and is rated Ofsted Outstanding, with academic outcomes materially above national averages: 87% Reception Good Level of Development versus 68% nationally, 93% Year 1 phonics pass versus 80%, and 24.6/25 average on the Year 4 multiplication check versus 21.0/25 nationally. The institution is part of the Laurel Education Trust multi-academy trust, with dual co-headship from Rachel Kirk and Michael Moss.
The school's core product is the continuous all-through curriculum, delivered alongside specialised programmes including the Larch primary phase, the Simon Balle Music Program (MusicMark accredited), the Sixth Form, the Gradu8 Year 7 reading intervention, Duke of Edinburgh awards, and home-learning support (Strive & Thrive, Aspire & Achieve). Ancillary offerings include The Elm Sports Centre — a community-hire facility recognised with Highly Commended status at the Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards — and a holiday/sports club run in partnership with Busy Lizzies. The technology stack is entirely third-party: Arbor (MIS), Involve (communication), ParentPay (payments), Unifrog (careers), Gradu8 (literacy), A Star Attendance, Calendly, and realsmart (website platform). No proprietary technology is built or operated by the school.
Commercially, the school is funded primarily by UK Government per-pupil grants, supplemented by facilities hire revenue, voluntary School Fund donations, and modest holiday-club fees from the Busy Lizzies partnership. Pricing to families is effectively zero for statutory education, with paid services limited to wraparound childcare (£35-£45 per session). Student recruitment is event-driven: open mornings, open evenings, school tours, and referrals, with 100% of offered places going to first-choice applicants. Customer concentration sits with the Hertfordshire County Council as the central funding authority and admissions gatekeeper, while end-user families are highly distributed across the local catchment.
Simon Balle All-through School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simon Balle All-through School
- Legal name
- Simon Balle All-through School
- Website
- https://simonballe.herts.sch.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Simon Balle All-through School is a state-funded UK academy in Hertford serving approximately 1,000-1,400 students aged 4-18 on a single Mangrove Road campus, rated Ofsted Outstanding and part of the Laurel Education Trust. It is government-funded per-pupil with no tuition fees, supported by ancillary facilities hire and holiday-club revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simon Balle All-through School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
Keywords
Where Simon Balle All-through School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hertford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Simon Balle All-through School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Per-Pupil Funding: As an academy school, Simon Balle receives per-pupil funding from the UK Government based on student enrollment numbers across all year groups from Reception through Year 13.
- Facilities Hire: The Elm Sports Centre and school facilities are available for hire to the local community, generating additional revenue through sports facility rentals and venue bookings.
- School Fund Donations: Voluntary donations from parents and community members to support educational excellence and enrichment programmes through the Simon Balle School Fund.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free State Education (Reception to Year 13) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Holiday Club (Busy Lizzies Partnership) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Simon Balle All-through School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simon Balle All-through School delivers continuous state-funded education from Reception (age 4) through Year 13 (age 18) at its Hertford campus. The school offers the EYFS curriculum, KS1–KS5 statutory programmes, GCSE and A-Level qualifications, and enrichment through music, sport, Duke of Edinburgh, and careers education. Complementary revenue-generating services include facilities hire at The Elm Sports Centre and partner-delivered holiday clubs.
Product overview
Simon Balle All-through School is a single unified educational institution providing 14-year continuous education from Reception (age 4) through Sixth Form (age 18). The school operates its core educational program alongside specialized facilities and programs including The Elm Sports Centre (sports facility), the Simon Balle Music Program (Team Music), Sixth Form provision, and the Larch primary phase. Additional offerings include Duke of Edinburgh Awards, structured careers education using Unifrog, home learning support programs (Strive & Thrive, Aspire & Achieve), and holiday/sports clubs via partnership with Busy Lizzies. The school integrates with Arbor (MIS), ParentPay (payments), Involve (communication), and Unifrog (careers platform) to deliver its educational services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Elm Sports Centre: The school's sports centre facility that has won recognition at the Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards.
Products and services
- Simon Balle All-through School (Main School) An all-through educational institution for students aged 4 to 18, delivering a progressive and sequential curriculum from Reception through Sixth Form with a focus on academic excellence and holistic development. Free state-funded provision covering EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 (GCSE), and KS5 (A-Levels).
- Sixth Form Post-16 education provision offering A-Levels including Criminology, EPQ, and a programme of external speakers to enhance learning. Students progress to university, apprenticeships, and employment.
- Larch (Primary Phase) Primary phase of the all-through school covering Reception through Year 6, with dedicated leadership under the Head of the Larch, featuring the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum and KS1/KS2 outcomes.
- The Elm Sports Centre Purpose-built sports facility recognised at the Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards, offering sports activities including Kin ball, basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, dodgeball, archery, and cricket. Available to students and for community hire.
- Simon Balle Music Program (Team Music) Comprehensive music education programme led by the Director of Music, featuring curriculum music (KS2, KS3, KS4), instrumental lessons, music medals (Bronze, Silver, Copper), ensemble performances, and participation in regional events.
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% of Reception students achieved Good Level of Development (19 percentage points above 68% national average)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Simon Balle All-through School
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Simon Balle All-through School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability1 record
Feature3 records
Simon Balle All-through School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Laurel Education TrustcoreSimon Balle All-through School is part of the Laurel Education Trust multi-academy trust. The trust provides governance, strategic direction, and support for member schools. Music is delivered in association with Laurel Education Trust.
- University of HertfordshirecoreActive partnership including Year 13 Chemistry students visiting university labs for analytical technique training (GC-MS, IR spectroscopy, NMR). Students brought synthesised Aspirin samples for analysis using university equipment. Provides transition support and higher education aspiration building.
- UnifrogcoreAll students in Years 7-13 have access to Unifrog careers platform providing exploration of careers, university options, apprenticeships, personal statement building, CV development, and application tracking. Platform hosts webinars, virtual events, and expert guidance including Global University Fair with 30+ universities.
- Busy LizziescoreOutstanding holiday club and sports club provider operating from Simon Balle school site. Provides Summer Holiday Club (ages Reception-Year 6) and Sports Club (Years 1-6) during school holidays. Staffed by Simon Balle PE department members including Miss Baker. Family-focused childcare service valued by school community.
- DSPL3 (Delivering Specialist Provision Locally)corePartnership with Hertfordshire DSPL3 network supporting families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. School participates in coffee mornings, shares SEND newsletters, and collaborates on transition support for SEND students. Enhanced transition programmes for Year 6 into Year 7.
- Supporting LinksminorFree courses for parents funded by Hertfordshire County Council. Partnership provides parental workshops including in-person sessions and fully funded online courses to support family engagement with children's education.
- Accent CateringcoreExternal catering provider managing school canteen and food services. Menu development influenced by student voice resulting in salad bar introduction and wider healthy food options.
- Josh Dean MPminorLocal MP for Hertford and Stortford invited Year 12 Politics students to Great Get Together coffee morning marking 10th anniversary. Students engaged in discussion about public life and community issues.
- PGL TravelminorEducational travel operator providing ski trips (Bormio, Easter holidays) and activity holidays. Students develop skiing skills, teamwork, and cultural appreciation through residential experiences.
- Off The Page (Education)minorEducational workshop provider delivering history workshops including Roman workshops for Year 4 and Ancient Egyptian workshops for Year 3, bringing curriculum topics to life through immersive experiences.
- Pizza ExpressminorYear 3 students visited Pizza Express for curriculum-linked trip to make pizzas in a real restaurant setting, connecting classroom learning about food technology with practical experience.
- CRE8 BroxbourneminorPost-16 creative industry pathway provider offering Level 3 Creative programme equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Partnership promotes alternative vocational routes for Year 10-11 students including film, photography, graphic design, game design, and events industries.
- ELSA Next GenerationminorCareers and employability skills provider delivering 'Get Work Ready' corporate recruitment carousel days for Year 10 students including workshops with employers and interview practice sessions.
- Herts Young HomelessminorCharity delivering conflict resolution workshops for Year 8 students as part of PSHE programme, helping students identify effects of conflict behaviour and develop positive communication skills.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights10 records
Simon Balle All-through School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ARK Schools: Large multi-academy trust operating numerous primary and secondary schools across England. Comparable as a broader educational operator with all-through-style networks, relevant for understanding the academy trust landscape in which Simon Balle's parent Laurel Education Trust operates.
- Harris Federation: Major UK multi-academy trust running primary, secondary, and all-through academies across London and southern England. Comparable as a peer trust model with comparable governance, funding, and operational scale dynamics.
Regional players
- The Perse School: Independent day school in Cambridge for ages 3-18 with Outstanding Ofsted ratings. Comparable as a high-performing all-through independent school demonstrating the aspirational benchmark for all-through educational models.
- Bishop's Stortford College: Independent co-educational day and boarding school in Hertfordshire for ages 4-18. Comparable as a regional all-through competitor for Hertfordshire families willing and able to pay private fees, particularly relevant for sixth-form transitions.
- Presdales School: State-funded secondary school in Ware, Hertfordshire for girls aged 11-18 with some boys in sixth form. Comparable as a nearby Hertfordshire secondary offering similar academic curriculum and competing for the same regional family pool.
Emerging players
- Chobham Academy: All-through academy in East London (Newham) for ages 3-19 within the ARK network. Comparable as a relatively newer all-through model combining primary and secondary on a single site, though operating in a different region and demographic context.
Direct peers
- Watford Grammar School for Girls: Selective state-funded grammar school in Hertfordshire for girls aged 11-18. Comparable as a high-attaining Hertfordshire state secondary competing for the same academically focused families.
- Watford Grammar School for Boys: Selective state-funded grammar school in Hertfordshire for boys aged 11-18. Comparable as a top-performing Hertfordshire state secondary competing for the same high-attaining student cohort through local authority admissions.
- Dame Alice Owen's School: All-through state-funded academy in Hertfordshire (Potters Bar/Hertford), rated Outstanding, serving ages 7-18 with selective admissions. Directly comparable as another all-through school in the same Hertfordshire region with similar academic excellence positioning.
- Richard Hale School: State-funded secondary school in Hertford, Hertfordshire for ages 11-18. Directly comparable as a neighboring state secondary competing for the same local student pool through Hertfordshire County Council admissions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Simon Balle All-through School social profiles
Digital presenceSimon Balle All-through School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simon Balle All-through School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Simon Balle All-through School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simon Balle All-through School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Simon Balle All-through School
What does Simon Balle All-through School do?
Simon Balle All-through School delivers continuous state-funded education from Reception (age 4) through Year 13 (age 18) at its Hertford campus. The school offers the EYFS curriculum, KS1–KS5 statutory programmes, GCSE and A-Level qualifications, and enrichment through music, sport, Duke of Edinburgh, and careers education. Complementary revenue-generating services include facilities hire at The Elm Sports Centre and partner-delivered holiday clubs.
Is Simon Balle All-through School a public or private company?
Simon Balle All-through School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Simon Balle All-through School founded?
Simon Balle All-through School was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Simon Balle All-through School based?
Simon Balle All-through School is headquartered in Hertford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Simon Balle All-through School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Per-Pupil Funding is the primary driver. The others are facilities Hire and school Fund Donations.
Who are Simon Balle All-through School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ARK Schools and Harris Federation. Regional players are The Perse School, Bishop's Stortford College and Presdales School. Chobham Academy is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Watford Grammar School for Girls, Watford Grammar School for Boys, Dame Alice Owen's School and Richard Hale School.
Does Simon Balle All-through School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simon Balle All-through School.
What industry is Simon Balle All-through School in?
Simon Balle All-through School's product category is K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAFAB, Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led), with a secondary code of EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.