St Wilfrid's RC College

What St Wilfrid's RC College does

St. Wilfrid's RC College is a Catholic secondary school and Sixth Form located in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, serving approximately 1,000+ students aged 11-18 across Years 7 through 13. The school operates as part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, a multi-academy trust that governs 31 Catholic schools across East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland. It delivers a knowledge-rich, faith-based curriculum anchored in Catholic Gospel Values and the Cardinal/Theological Virtues, offering GCSEs, BTECs, and over 20 A-Level subjects at Sixth Form level, and holds World Class School status with strong outcomes in the 2023 Catholic Schools Inspection and 2025 Ofsted inspection.

The school's product portfolio centres on secondary and post-16 academic provision, complemented by vocational pathways and pastoral services. Its distinctive offering is the 2023-launched Industry Excellence Programme, comprising the Nissan Skills Academy (Level 2 Engineering qualification) and Gentoo Trades Academy (construction qualification), delivered in partnership with Sunderland College and offering guaranteed apprenticeship interviews on completion. Technology infrastructure is modest and consumer-grade: Microsoft Teams for staff/student communications, ParentPay for fee/payment processing, Schudio for the school website, and standard online platforms for remote education. No proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or technical moats are disclosed.

As a publicly funded maintained Catholic school, St. Wilfrid's charges no tuition and derives the bulk of its income from UK government education grants administered via the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. Ancillary revenue is generated through fees for school meals, trips, transport, and uniform, processed via ParentPay. Its go-to-market is admissions-driven, with prospective families applying through the school website or Microsoft Forms (for Sixth Form), supported by school open evenings and an active Facebook page. Customer segments are students aged 11-16 (secondary) and 16-18 (Sixth Form), with parents and guardians as secondary stakeholders in pastoral and careers decision-making.

Name

St Wilfrid's RC College

Legal name

St. Wilfrid's R.C. College

Website

https://st-wilfrids.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Wilfrid's RC College is a Catholic secondary school and Sixth Form in South Shields, England, serving ~1,000+ students aged 11-18. Part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, it delivers GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs and the Nissan/Gentoo-backed Industry Excellence Programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Sixth form provision
• Catholic schooling
• Vocational training
• Careers education

Headquarters

HQ city

South Shields

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Publicly funded secondary school and sixth form operating under Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. Funded through government education funding for maintained Catholic schools.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

St Wilfrid's RC College is a Catholic secondary school delivering a full secondary education programme for students aged 11-18, covering Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSEs and BTEC Tech Awards), and Sixth Form (over 20 A-Level subjects and BTEC qualifications). The school supplements its core curriculum with the Industry Excellence Programme (Nissan Skills Academy and Gentoo Trades Academy), careers education with work experience placements, SEND support, and Catholic Life and Chaplaincy services.

Product overview

St. Wilfrid's RC College is a Catholic secondary school offering a comprehensive educational programme from Years 7-13. The school's core educational products include a secondary curriculum for Years 7-11 (covering GCSEs and BTEC Tech Awards), and a Sixth Form provision offering over 20 A-Level subjects alongside BTEC qualifications including Extended Certificates and Diplomas in Sport, Health and Social Care, Engineering, ICT, and Travel and Tourism. These are supported by the Industry Excellence Programme (incorporating the Nissan Skills Academy and Gentoo Trades Academy vocational pathways), Careers Education with work experience placements, SEND provision, and Catholic Life/Chaplaincy services. The school operates within Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust and maintains partnerships with external organisations including Sunderland College, Nissan, Gentoo, ParentPay, and Microsoft Teams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary Education Curriculum (Years 7-11) Comprehensive curriculum for Key Stages 3 and 4 covering core subjects (English, Maths, Science, Religious Education), humanities, languages, arts, technology, and vocational subjects. The curriculum is knowledge-rich, evidence-informed, and aligned with British Values, with options including GCSEs in various subjects and BTEC Tech Award qualifications.
• A-Level and BTEC Sixth Form Courses Post-16 provision offering over 20 A-Level subjects and BTEC qualifications. Students choose three A-Levels, with option to study four. Courses include A-Levels in Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, and BTEC diplomas in Sport, Health and Social Care, Engineering, and Travel and Tourism.
• Industry Excellence Programme Exclusive industry partnership programme offering Nissan Skills Academy (Level 2 Engineering qualification) and Gentoo Trades Academy (specialised construction qualification) for select pupils, in partnership with Sunderland College, Nissan, and Gentoo.
• Nissan Skills Academy Specialised vocational pathway where pupils study a Level 2 Engineering qualification (GCSE equivalent) alongside core GCSEs. Pupils spend two days weekly at Sunderland College learning practical engineering skills and three days at school on GCSE subjects, with regular visits to Nissan's facilities.
• Gentoo Trades Academy Construction-focused vocational pathway delivered by Sunderland College with support from Gentoo's expert team, providing hands-on training in key trades for careers in construction and housing sectors.
• Careers Education and Work Experience Comprehensive careers programme delivered through PSHE for Years 7-11, including 1:1 career guidance, work experience placements for Year 10 and Year 12, employer and university links, CV writing training, interview techniques, and enterprise activities via North East Ambition and Local Enterprise Partnership.
• Sixth Form Provision (Columba House) Post-16 education in a faith-filled, supportive environment with dedicated pastoral and academic support, Columba uniform dress code, enrichment opportunities, leadership roles, and strong university/employer/apprenticeship provider links.
• SEND Provision Special Educational Needs and Disabilities support including in-class support, literacy enhancement programmes, one-to-one tuition, mentoring, screening for reading/comprehension/spelling difficulties, partnership with primary feeder schools, and examination access arrangements.
• Catholic Life and Chaplaincy Spiritual development programme rooted in Catholic faith including daily worship, House assemblies, masses, themed liturgies, carol services, stations of the cross, retreats at Emmaus Youth Village, Catholic Flame conference, God Camp, and Virt-Tuesday virtue focus.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sport One A-Level equivalent qualification covering Anatomy and Physiology, Fitness Training and Programming, Professional Development in the Sports Industry, and Sports Leadership. Units 1 and 2 are externally examined; Units 3 and 4 are internally assessed coursework.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport Two A-Levels equivalent qualification covering nine units including Application of Fitness Testing, Sports Psychology, Practical Sports Performance, Investigating Business in Sport, and Skill Acquisition. Units 1, 2, and 22 are externally assessed examinations.
• BTEC Level 3 Travel and Tourism Level 3 qualification equivalent to one A-Level, consisting of four units covering The World of Travel and Tourism, Global Destinations, Principles of Marketing, and Visitor Attractions. Assessed through written exams and coursework.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NissancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Nissan Skills Academy partnership launched in 2023. Pupils study a specialised Level 2 Engineering qualification (GCSE equivalent) alongside core GCSEs. Two days per week at Sunderland College learning practical engineering skills, three days at school on GCSE subjects. Regular visits to Nissan's cutting-edge facilities provide workplace experience, industry mentors, and state-of-the-art equipment. Guaranteed apprenticeship interview on successful completion.
• GentoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Gentoo Trades Academy partnership launched in 2023. Pupils pursue a specialised construction qualification alongside their GCSEs with hands-on training in key trades delivered by Sunderland College and supported by Gentoo's expert team. Guaranteed apprenticeship interview with Gentoo on successful completion.
• Sunderland CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Educational partner for Industry Excellence Programme, delivering Level 2 Engineering and construction qualifications alongside GCSEs. Provides college facilities and tutors for Nissan Skills Academy and Gentoo Trades Academy students. Unconditional offer to continue education at Sunderland College guaranteed for programme completers.
• Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education TrustcoreOthersMulti-academy Catholic Trust serving the east area of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. St. Wilfrid's is part of a family of 31 Catholic schools across East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Trust aims to enable each individual to fulfil their God-given potential through 'Better Schools, Better Communities, Better Futures in Christ.'

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Cognita Schools: Global K-12 schools group operating independent and faith-affiliated schools. Comparable as a multi-school operator with shared back-office, governance, and brand portfolio models.
• United Learning: Large UK multi-academy trust operating both state and independent schools. Comparable as a national trust-level operator with shared services, governance, and school-improvement infrastructure.
• Nord Anglia Education: International premium schools group with K-12 and sixth-form provision. Comparable as a multi-site school operator with brand differentiation and academic stretch positioning.
• Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust: Parent multi-academy trust operating 31 Catholic schools across the North East. Provides the governance, shared services, and strategic framework in which St Wilfrid's operates; comparable as a broader educational institution.

Direct peers

• Cardinal Hume Catholic School: Catholic voluntary-aided secondary school in Gateshead serving a similar North East Catholic community. Directly comparable faith-based secondary with overlapping curriculum and pastoral model.
• Durham Johnston Comprehensive School: High-performing non-selective state secondary in County Durham with broad sixth form and strong vocational/academic mix. Comparable in scale and aspirational positioning within the North East state sector.
• St Bede's Catholic Comprehensive School: Catholic secondary school in Lanchester, County Durham. Same Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle catchment; directly comparable faith-based secondary with similar A-Level/BTEC provision and pastoral structure.
• Emmanuel College, Gateshead: High-attaining non-faith secondary in Gateshead with strong sixth form and careers provision. Comparable scale, Ofsted profile, and post-16 breadth within the same regional market.
• St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy: Sister school within Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. Same trust governance, shared services, and Catholic ethos make it the closest direct operational peer.

Regional players

• Harton Academy: Non-faith secondary school also in South Tyneside, serving the same local catchment. Direct local competitor for pupils and parental choice within the immediate borough.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stwilfridsrccollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-wilfrid's-rc-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 St Wilfrid's RC College