Tove Learning Trust

What Tove Learning Trust does

Tove Learning Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) and charitable company limited by guarantee, founded on 1 September 2016 with Sponne School (Towcester) and Elizabeth Woodville School as its two founding academies. Headquartered at Stratford Road, Roade, Northampton, the trust has grown to 16 academies organised across two regional hubs covering Northamptonshire/Milton Keynes and the West Midlands, spanning six local authority areas. The trust operates primary, secondary, and alternative provision schools serving state-funded pupils aged 5-18, with no fee-based tuition and no commercial technology platform of its own.

The trust's operational model centres on shared school improvement infrastructure while preserving each school's individual identity. Member academies access a network of School Improvement Directors (covering Science, Maths, English, Humanities, SEND/EYFS), centralised HR, finance, marketing and IT functions, leadership development programmes including a bespoke middle-leader programme with 70+ delegates, and shared CPD via the SWAN Professional Learning Alliance and The National College online library. Teacher supply is generated internally through the Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP) SCITT, accredited by the University of Leicester, which offers PGCE routes in 14 secondary subjects plus Assessment Only QTS.

Revenue is derived primarily from UK Government Department for Education funding channelled through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to member schools, supplemented by trading income from Tove Trading Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary that operates Stantonbury Leisure Centre and Stantonbury Theatre as community facilities on the Stantonbury School campus. GTM is sales-led, focused on recruiting additional academies to join the MAT via a dedicated 'Joining Our Trust' page highlighting benefits, with the trust maintaining a central talent pool and vacancy portal to support staffing across all 16 schools.

Name

Tove Learning Trust

Legal name

Tove Learning Trust

Website

https://tovelearning.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tove Learning Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust operating 16 state-funded primary, secondary, and alternative provision schools across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and the West Midlands, serving pupils aged 5-18 through a shared school-improvement and centralised-services model founded in 2016.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multi-Academy Trust Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Multi-Academy Trust
• School improvement services
• Teacher training programmes
• Academy trust management
• Professional development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roade, Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. DfE School Funding: As a Multi-Academy Trust, Tove Learning Trust receives funding from the UK Government's Department for Education. Schools within the trust receive their allocation through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which is then managed centrally by the trust.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tove Learning Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) that operates a family of 16 state-funded academies (primary, secondary, and alternative provision schools) across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and the West Midlands. The trust provides centralised school improvement support, professional development, and central services (HR, finance, IT, marketing) to member schools, and runs the Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP) SCITT and the SWAN Professional Learning Alliance for staff development. Its trading subsidiary operates Stantonbury Leisure Centre and Stantonbury Theatre as community facilities.

Product overview

Tove Learning Trust operates as a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) providing educational services across 16 schools including primary, secondary, and alternative provision academies. The trust's core offering centres on collaborative educational provision through regional hubs in Northamptonshire/Milton Keynes and the West Midlands. Supporting the core educational mission, the trust offers teacher training through the Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP) and staff development via the SWAN Professional Learning Alliance, both housed at SWAN PLA facilities. A survey partnership with Edurio enables trust-wide feedback collection. The commercial arm, Tove Trading Limited, operates Stantonbury Leisure Centre and Stantonbury Theatre as community facilities. Schools maintain individual identities while benefiting from shared best practices, School Improvement Director support, leadership development programmes, and access to The National College online CPD library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tove Trading Limited: A wholly owned trading subsidiary of Tove Learning Trust that manages commercial interests including Stantonbury Leisure Centre and Stantonbury Theatre.
• SWAN Professional Learning Alliance
• Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP)

Products and services

• Tove Learning Trust Educational Services A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) providing primary, secondary, and alternative provision education across 16 schools in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and the West Midlands. Schools joining the trust gain access to a central support network of School Improvement Directors, shared best practice, professional development, and centralised HR, finance, IT, and marketing services, while retaining individual school identity.
• Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP) A school-centred initial teacher training consortium overseen by the trust, based at SWAN PLA facilities adjacent to Sponne School. Offers PGCE and QTS programmes accredited by the University of Leicester, providing secondary teacher training across Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design & Technology, English, French, Geography, German, History, Maths, Physics, Physical Education, and Spanish, plus an Assessment Only route to QTS for experienced postgraduates.
• SWAN Professional Learning Alliance A professional learning network providing high-quality staff development and networking for teachers and support staff across trust schools. Acts as the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, leading on Early Career Teacher and National Professional Qualification training, and providing subject specialist networks for best practice sharing and access to shared CPD resources.
• School Improvement Support Trust-wide educational support service including dedicated School Improvement Directors for Science, Maths, English, and Humanities, subject-specific support and challenge, leadership development programmes (middle leader and senior leadership), NPQSL and ECT trained facilitators, individual coaching, and access to The National College online CPD library.
• Stantonbury Leisure Centre A community leisure facility located on the campus of Stantonbury School, offering indoor and outdoor sporting opportunities including playing fields, tennis courts, a FIFA-compliant 3G all-weather pitch, an athletics stadium with full track and field facilities, a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, a seven-court badminton sports hall, gym facilities, and group exercise classes. Open to the public and available for hire to clubs and local groups.
• Stantonbury Theatre The first purpose-built theatre in Milton Keynes, offering touring productions and community performances, and available for hire to commercial, professional, and non-profit groups for performances, demonstrations, and presentations. Celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wootton Primary School achieved Outstanding across all five Ofsted categories in September 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and minor.

• EduriosupportingTechnology or Integration · 10 March 2026Tove Learning Trust launched a new trust-wide survey programme in partnership with Edurio in March 2026. The partnership is designed to strengthen the voices of staff, parents, and students through comprehensive surveys to inform school improvement.
• RISE (Regional Improvement for School Effectiveness)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025CEO Jamie Clarke was appointed as a RISE Adviser (Regional Improvement for School Effectiveness) by the Department for Education. RISE Advisers support school improvement across regions by working with MATs and local authorities to raise school standards.
• SWAN Professional Learning AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SWAN Professional Learning Alliance (SWAN PLA) is a strategic partner within the trust providing high-quality professional staff development and networking across secondary, primary, and AP schools. It serves as the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, leading on Early Career Teacher and National Professional Qualification training. The alliance provides subject specialist networks for best practice sharing and access to shared resources.
• Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership (GUTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership is a school-centred initial teacher training consortium overseen by the trust, based at SWAN PLA facilities adjacent to Sponne School with over 25 years of experience. The programme is accredited by the University of Leicester and offers secondary teacher training in Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design & Technology, English, French, Geography, German, History, Maths, Physics, PE, and Spanish. Also offers Assessment Only route to QTS.
• University of LeicestersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Leicester provides accreditation for the Grand Union Teacher Training Partnership's PGCE programmes, enabling trainees to qualify with QTS and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE level 6 or 7) carrying Master's Credits.
• Northamptonshire Teaching School HubsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SWAN PLA acts as the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, providing Early Career Framework support and National Professional Qualifications for teachers across the region, in partnership with the trust.
• Stantonbury Leisure CentreminorOthersStantonbury Leisure Centre is a wholly owned trading subsidiary enterprise of Tove Learning Trust, located on the campus of Stantonbury School. It offers indoor and outdoor sporting facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, sports halls, gym, and a FIFA-compliant 3G pitch. Open to the public and school community.
• Stantonbury TheatreminorOthersStantonbury Theatre is a wholly owned trading subsidiary enterprise of Tove Learning Trust and the first purpose-built theatre in Milton Keynes. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The theatre showcases touring productions and community performances and is available for hire year-round.
• Paris Saint-Germain Academy EnglandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLord Grey Academy has a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Academy England, which was featured on BBC Look East. The partnership provides students with unique football/sports development opportunities and has been recognized as an innovative school initiative.
• The National CollegesupportingTechnology or IntegrationThe trust provides all staff with access to The National College online CPD library and personalised learning tracking as part of its trust-wide professional development and support menu.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): Large national Multi-Academy Trust operating primary and secondary academies across England. Direct peer in MAT scale, DfE funding model, and central school-improvement service approach.
• Oasis Community Learning: One of the largest UK Multi-Academy Trusts operating primary, secondary, and alternative provision schools across multiple regions. Directly comparable in MAT structure, multi-region hub model, and inclusion of alternative provision.
• Kingsbridge Educational Trust: Regional Multi-Academy Trust operating primary and secondary schools in the East Midlands. Comparable MAT scale, central school-improvement services, and member-school growth model.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: Multi-Academy Trust with primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands and surrounding regions. Comparable regional MAT operating model and central support structure.
• Creative Education Trust: Multi-Academy Trust operating a portfolio of primary, secondary, and special schools across central and northern England. Comparable MAT structure and member-school support model.

Regional players

• Midland Academies Trust: West Midlands-focused Multi-Academy Trust. Regional peer that competes for member schools in TLT's West Midlands hub cluster alongside the Grace Academies.
• Northampton Schools Trust (NORTH): Regional Multi-Academy Trust operating schools primarily within Northamptonshire, directly overlapping TLT's founding Northamptonshire hub. Competitor for prospective academy members in the same geography.
• Pathfinder Schools: Smaller regional Multi-Academy Trust operating in adjacent Northamptonshire/Milton Keynes geography. Comparable regional MAT structure competing for the same prospective member schools.

Others

• Edurio: Education-sector survey and feedback provider that TLT partnered with for a trust-wide staff/parent/student survey programme. Technology vendor and ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.
• University of Leicester (School of Education): Higher education institution accredited to accredit TLT's GUTP PGCE programmes. Ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor, but comparable in teacher-training delivery and CPD programming.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tovelearningtrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Tove Learning Trust