The Cornerstone Academy Trust
The Cornerstone Academy Trust is a Devon-based Multi-Academy Trust operating seven primary schools serving approximately 1,500 pupils aged 2 to 11, funded primarily by ESFA per-pupil grants and delivered through a Microsoft 365 Education digital learning platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBroadclyst, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Cornerstone Academy Trust does
The Cornerstone Academy Trust (TCAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust (charitable company limited by guarantee, Company Number 07339625) operating seven primary schools across Devon, England: Broadclyst, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Marpool, Monkerton, Westclyst and Yeo Valley. It serves approximately 1,500 pupils aged 2 to 11, supported by around 65 staff, and offers a full curriculum from nursery through Year 6 supplemented by nursery provision, music tuition (including violin), wrap-around care, holiday club, school dining, an Academy Café and a bus service. The Countess Wear site additionally hosts a specialist Deaf Support Centre.
The Trust's technology backbone is the Microsoft 365 Education ecosystem — Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, Assignments and Learning Accelerators such as Reading Progress — with every pupil and staff member provisioned their own digital device. Curriculum delivery is integrated through SharePoint pupil portals and third-party platforms (Purple Mash, Digimaps, Literacy Planet, ClickView, Accelerated Maths, Bedrock Learning). It is a Microsoft Training Academy, a DfE-designated English Hub and Behaviour Hub, and part of the Devon & Dorset Computer Science Hub. Beyond its own schools, the Cornerstone Teaching School delivers teacher training and school-to-school support, and the Trust is a key partner in the Royal Opera House Create & Dance programme, which has reached 133,000 students nationally.
The business model is dominated by ESFA per-pupil grant funding (with Pupil Premium layered on for disadvantaged pupils), making government the de facto principal customer. Additional revenue streams are nursery fees above the Early Years Entitlement (£7.75/hour for 2-year-olds, £5.90/hour for 3–4-year-olds), ancillary sales such as staff meals at £3.50, and potentially DfE contracts for English Hub and RISE Adviser work. Admissions are coordinated via Devon County Council's central scheme, with parents applying to the Local Authority rather than directly to the schools. Governance is provided by a Board of Trustees, chaired by Sam Chapman, with strategic leadership from CEO and Executive Headteacher Jonathan Bishop, who was awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year Honours.
The Cornerstone Academy Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Cornerstone Academy Trust
- Legal name
- The Cornerstone Academy Trust
- Website
- https://tcat.education
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Cornerstone Academy Trust is a Devon-based Multi-Academy Trust operating seven primary schools serving approximately 1,500 pupils aged 2 to 11, funded primarily by ESFA per-pupil grants and delivered through a Microsoft 365 Education digital learning platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Cornerstone Academy Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Primary Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nursery School Programs (2–4 Years) (EDACACAB)
Keywords
Where The Cornerstone Academy Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Broadclyst, Exeter
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
The Cornerstone Academy Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Per-Pupil Funding (ESFA): The primary revenue stream for academy trusts in England is per-pupil funding allocated by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), based on pupil census data. Funding follows the pupil and is used to cover educational operations, staffing, and facilities across all seven schools.
- Pupil Premium Grant: Additional government funding to support pupils who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any point in the last six years, looked-after children, and service families. The Pupil Premium is strategically deployed for targeted academic support, pastoral care, and wider opportunities. Schools publish annual reports on Pupil Premium spending and impact.
- DfE RISE Adviser & National Education Strategy Contributions: CEO Jonathan Bishop serves as a Department for Education RISE Adviser and strategic lead for the Cornerstone English Hub, supporting schools across the South West. These roles may involve DfE funding or contracts for school improvement services.
- Nursery Fees (Early Years Entitlement): Nursery provision charges differential hourly rates (£7.75 for 2-year-olds; £5.90 for 3-4-year-olds) for hours beyond government-funded entitlements (15 or 30 hours per week for 38 weeks). This represents fee-based revenue for extended early years care.
- Staff Meal Sales: Discounted staff meals are sold to employees, priced at £3.50 for specials ordered in advance. This generates modest ancillary revenue while supporting staff welfare.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Nursery – 2 year olds: £7.75 per hour above funded entitlement |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Nursery – 3 and 4 year olds: £5.90 per hour above funded entitlement |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Staff meal specials: £3.50 per meal |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Cornerstone Academy Trust operates seven primary schools in Devon, England (Broadclyst, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Marpool, Monkerton, Westclyst, and Yeo Valley) delivering education from Nursery through Year 6. It supplements its core schooling with nursery provision, music tuition, wrap-around care, school bus services, and a specialist Deaf Support Centre, while also running the Cornerstone Teaching School for teacher training and serving as a DfE-designated English Hub and Behaviour Hub.
Product overview
The Cornerstone Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust operating seven primary schools (Broadclyst, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Marpool, Monkerton, Westclyst, and Yeo Valley) in the Exeter area of Devon. The Trust offers a unified educational platform centered on Microsoft 365 Education, with every pupil and staff member having access to their own digital device. The offering includes core primary school education from Nursery through Year 6, supplemented by nursery provision across all schools, music programs (including violin), wrap-around care, bus services, and specialized support services including a Deaf Support Centre at Countess Wear. The Trust also operates Teacher Training and Professional Development through the Cornerstone Teaching School, and has been designated as a DfE English Hub and Behaviour Hub, providing regional school support. The Trust has developed national and international reputation for innovative use of digital technologies in education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Seven Primary Schools (Broadclyst, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Marpool, Monkerton, Westclyst, Yeo Valley) The Trust operates seven primary schools in the Exeter and Devon area providing education from Nursery to Year 6, serving approximately 1,500 pupils aged 2-11. Each school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum with innovative digital technology integration and access to its own digital device.
- Nursery Provision Nursery services available at all seven schools for children from age 2, following an Early Years foundation stage curriculum with progression into Reception. Hours run from 8am-6pm, with funded and fee-paying options.
- Music Provision Music education service including violin tuition in Year 4, choir, musical instruments, and theatre productions available to pupils across the Trust.
- Wrap Around Care Before and after school care, holiday club, and dining services including School Dining Club and The Academy Café, offered to families as supplementary care and catering services.
- Bus Service School bus transportation service providing pupil transport between home and school sites.
- Holiday Club Holiday club services for pupils during school holiday periods, providing supervised activities and care.
- Teacher Training and Professional Development Through the Cornerstone Teaching School, the Trust provides teacher training, professional learning, leadership development, and school-to-school support at primary and secondary levels, reaching beyond its own schools to influence the broader education sector.
- Deaf Support Centre at Countess Wear Specialized support centre for deaf children located at Countess Wear Primary School, providing specialist SEND provision within the Trust's inclusion offering.
- DfE English Hub DfE-designated English Hub providing literacy development, teacher training, professional learning, and leadership development support to schools across the South West region.
- DfE Behaviour Hub DfE-designated Behaviour Hub providing support for behaviour improvement and school culture across schools in the region.
Quantifiable outcome
- 133,000 students, 4,000 teachers, and 2,000 schools reached through Royal Opera House Create & Dance programme
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Cornerstone Academy Trust
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature4 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MicrosoftcoreThe Cornerstone Academy Trust has been appointed a Microsoft Training Academy. The Trust uses Microsoft 365 Education including Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, and Learning Accelerators such as Reading Progress. Every pupil and staff member has access to their own digital device. The Trust is featured in Microsoft customer stories as a leading example of innovative Microsoft 365 implementation in primary education.
- Department for Education (DfE)coreThe Trust is appointed by the DfE as a Microsoft Training Academy, DfE English Hub, Behaviour Hub, and is part of the Devon & Dorset Computer Science Hub. CEO Jonathan Bishop serves as a DfE RISE Adviser, providing strategic school improvement support. The Trust participates in the DfE's free breakfast club nationwide initiative.
- Royal Opera HousecoreCornerstone Academy Trust is a key partner in developing the Royal Opera House Create & Dance programme's literacy strategy. The Trust helped shape the programme which has reached 133,000 students, 4,000 teachers, and 2,000 schools across the UK. The Trust upskilled 122 staff across the trust through this partnership. Cornerstone was recognised as one of the first National Schools Programme Badged Schools.
- Pennon GroupminorPennon Group collaborated with pupils from across the Cornerstone Academy Trust on a project exploring the water cycle and the role of water in sustaining communities and the environment, in the lead up to World Water Day.
- Exeter Chiefs (Sandy Park)minorExeter Chiefs at Sandy Park hosted the culminating event of the Pennon Group water cycle project, where pupils articulated and shared their learning beyond the classroom setting. The partnership provided real-world context and professional athlete role modeling.
- Devon & Dorset Computer Science HubcoreThe Trust is part of the Devon & Dorset Computer Science Hub, working to promote and support computer science education across the region alongside other technology partners and the DfE.
- Goosemoor Food Service (formerly Dart Fresh / Goosemoor EduCatering)minorGoosemoor Food Service (formerly Dart Fresh) is a family-owned Devon business providing catering services to the Trust. Their Goosemoor EduCatering brand serves local and affordable school meals using fresh ingredients sourced from nearby farms in Devon, with lower food miles and reduced carbon footprint.
- Devon County CouncilcoreThe Trust participates in Devon County Council's coordinated admissions schemes. Devon County Council publishes admissions information and policies, handles applications through its online portal, and manages the appeals process for schools within the Trust.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Oasis Community Learning: Large national multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary academies across England with a similar hub-and-school distributed model. Comparable on trust structure and per-pupil funding model, though materially larger in scale.
- Star Academies: National multi-academy trust with a distributed primary/secondary school portfolio and a strong reputation for school improvement. Comparable as a multi-academy trust model, though typically larger and more geographically diverse.
Others
- Microsoft Education: Technology partner whose Microsoft 365 Education platform underpins Cornerstone's digital learning approach. Included as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor — relevant for understanding the technology stack the Trust has standardised on.
- IMP Software: Supplier of financial management software to academy trusts, including Cornerstone. Included as an ecosystem participant providing GAG pooling and finance tooling for the trust's operating model.
Direct peers
- Nova Education Trust: Multi-academy trust operating a small-to-mid portfolio of schools with a focus on school improvement. Comparable in trust scale, per-pupil funding model, and centralised governance.
- Schoolsworks Academy Trust: South West-based multi-academy trust operating primary schools across Dorset and surrounding counties. Directly comparable on geography, trust size, and primary school focus.
- REAch2 Academy Trust: One of the largest primary-focused multi-academy trusts in England, operating a comparable distributed school model with centralised governance and shared services. Highly relevant as a same-category operator with similar pupil-stage focus and funding model.
- Five Rivers Multi-Academy Trust: South West multi-academy trust operating primary schools with a similar per-pupil funding model and Devon-adjacent footprint. Comparable on scale, mission, and stage of pupils served.
- Westcountry Schools Trust: Devon and Somerset-based multi-academy trust operating a portfolio of primary and secondary schools. Comparable in regional positioning, trust governance, and per-pupil funding dependency.
Regional players
- Diocese of Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust: Faith-rooted multi-academy trust operating schools in the South West of England with similar geographic and demographic context. Comparable on regional positioning and primary school focus, though with a religious designation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Cornerstone Academy Trust social profiles
Digital presenceThe Cornerstone Academy Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Cornerstone Academy Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
The Cornerstone Academy Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Cornerstone Academy Trust 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 The Cornerstone Academy Trust
What does The Cornerstone Academy Trust do?
The Cornerstone Academy Trust operates seven primary schools in Devon, England (Broadclyst, Clyst Heath, Countess Wear, Marpool, Monkerton, Westclyst, and Yeo Valley) delivering education from Nursery through Year 6. It supplements its core schooling with nursery provision, music tuition, wrap-around care, school bus services, and a specialist Deaf Support Centre, while also running the Cornerstone Teaching School for teacher training and serving as a DfE-designated English Hub and Behaviour Hub.
Is The Cornerstone Academy Trust a public or private company?
The Cornerstone Academy Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Cornerstone Academy Trust founded?
The Cornerstone Academy Trust was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Cornerstone Academy Trust based?
The Cornerstone Academy Trust is headquartered in Broadclyst, Exeter, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Cornerstone Academy Trust make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Per-Pupil Funding (ESFA) is the primary driver. The others are pupil Premium Grant, dfE RISE Adviser & National Education Strategy Contributions, nursery Fees (Early Years Entitlement) and staff Meal Sales.
Who are The Cornerstone Academy Trust's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Oasis Community Learning and Star Academies. Others are Microsoft Education and IMP Software. Direct peers are Nova Education Trust, Schoolsworks Academy Trust, REAch2 Academy Trust, Five Rivers Multi-Academy Trust and Westcountry Schools Trust. Diocese of Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust is listed as a regional player.
Does The Cornerstone Academy Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Cornerstone Academy Trust.
What industry is The Cornerstone Academy Trust in?
The Cornerstone Academy Trust's product category is Primary Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAB, Public Elementary Schools, with a secondary code of EDACACAB, Nursery School Programs (2–4 Years). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.