University of Kent Academies Trust

What University of Kent Academies Trust does

University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) registered in England and Wales (company number 07185018), established in 2010 and sponsored by the University of Kent. UKAT operates a portfolio of schools in the Medway and Kent region — Brompton Academy (comprehensive secondary), Chatham Grammar (grammar secondary, Ofsted 'Good'), and UKAT Sixth Form (post-16 provision across both sites offering A Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications). All sites run on a unified Apple technology stack, and Chatham Grammar has cumulatively secured over £5m in Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) capital for building works.

UKAT's business model is state-funded: revenue is derived from UK government per-pupil grants (recurring) supplemented by CIF capital allocations (one-off), with no tuition fees charged. The trust monetises its educational platform indirectly through pupil recruitment within its geographic catchment, leveraging enrichment and progression programmes — including the Student Ambassador Programme, Da Vinci Days, the UKAT Wellbeing Hub, the UKAT Employability Scheme, and the University Super Saturdays outreach — as competitive differentiators rather than revenue lines. Customer segments are secondary students aged 11–16, Sixth Form students aged 16–18, primary outreach targets in Key Stage 2, and parents/carers.

Distribution runs directly through its three academy sites, with go-to-market dominated by community-led activity: open events, virtual tours with 360-degree content (over 370 registrations for a recent Sixth Form virtual options event), primary school partnerships, and a multi-channel digital presence (website, Facebook, Instagram, X). Recent strategic emphasis is on expanding the trust's footprint (consultation with Fairview Community Primary School in mid-2026), diversifying post-16 enrichment (Chelsea FC football programme launched May 2025; Kent Crusaders basketball partnership June 2025), and strengthening governance under a new CEO appointed in February 2024.

Name

University of Kent Academies Trust

Legal name

University of Kent Academies Trust

Website

https://universityofkentacademiestrust.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

University of Kent Academies Trust is a UK Multi-Academy Trust, sponsored by the University of Kent, operating Brompton Academy, Chatham Grammar, and UKAT Sixth Form in Medway and Kent. It delivers state-funded secondary and post-16 education with university-linked enrichment, sports academies, and wellbeing programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

Keywords

• Secondary education
• Academy trust
• Sixth form education
• Grammar school
• State-funded schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Gillingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: UKAT operates as a state-funded Academy Trust receiving government education grants to fund school operations, staff salaries, and educational provision across its academies.
2. Capital Improvement Funding (CIF): Chatham Grammar has secured over £5m for building improvements through successful CIF bids. The trust actively pursues capital funding for facility improvements including electrical works, heating, and infrastructure upgrades.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT) is a Multi-Academy Trust operating state-funded schools in the Medway and Kent region of England. The trust runs Brompton Academy (comprehensive secondary school), Chatham Grammar (grammar secondary school), and UKAT Sixth Form (post-16 provision offering A Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications). It also delivers enrichment and wellbeing programmes including the Student Ambassador Programme, UKAT Wellbeing Hub, Da Vinci Days, and World of Work placement scheme, supported by lead sponsor University of Kent.

Product overview

UKAT is an established Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) sponsored by the University of Kent, operating a platform of educational services across multiple schools. The core portfolio consists of Brompton Academy and Chatham Grammar as its main schools, complemented by UKAT Sixth Form providing post-16 education. The Trust also offers a suite of enrichment and support programmes including the Student Ambassador Programme, Da Vinci Days, UKAT Wellbeing Hub, and the Employability Scheme. Sports programmes include partnerships with Kent Crusaders Basketball and Chelsea FC for the College Academy Football Programme. All programmes are designed to provide holistic educational experiences from secondary through post-16 education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brompton Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 14% ranking among schools in England - CGSG (Chatham Grammar School for Girls)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Kent Crusaders Basketball ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025Kent Crusaders coaches deliver on-court basketball training twice weekly within the school timetable, offering a professional and structured pathway for student-athletes. Beyond basketball training, Crusaders staff provide mentoring and guidance around the student-athlete lifestyle, supporting students off the court. The collaboration is based at UKAT Sixth Form sites in Medway.
• Chelsea FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2025UKAT College Academy Football Programme for Kent region where Sixth Form students benefit from professional coaching and competitive football, additional qualifications, and enrichment events. From 2026, a girls' football team will be established. UKAT leverages Chelsea FC's experience, resources, and status as a global multi-billion-pound organisation with prestigious sporting lineage.
• University of Kent Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnrichment sessions for Year 10 Business students including 'Hire or Fire' HR and recruitment workshops, leadership training, and careers guidance. University outreach officers, lecturers, and PhD students deliver programmes supporting student aspiration and career planning.
• Gillingham Football ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGillingham Academy players officiated five-a-side tournaments and were assessed for Level 3 BTEC Sport qualifications. Students gained experience with championship referees and professional football environment.
• BAE SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAE Systems, in collaboration with Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, delivered educational science road show 'From the Bottom of the Sea to Space' at Chatham Grammar for Year 7 and Year 8 students.
• University of KentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead sponsor providing academic and vocational opportunities for students, professional development for staff, university campus access, Student Ambassador Programme, bespoke Sixth Form modules, progression support, Wellbeing Hub placements, and Adult and Family Learning programmes. The University is represented on UKAT Members by senior officials including Acting Vice-Chancellor.
• Henry ScheinminorOthersLong-term supporter that has funded significant amounts for Brompton Academy BTEC Sport student trips, including the Aberdovey Outward Bound adventure.
• The Outward Bound TrustminorOthersAdventure activity provider in Aberdovey, Wales, hosting Brompton Academy BTEC Sport students for adventurous activities including gorge walking, scrambling, canoeing, and mountain summiting.
• Ishami FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganised Holocaust Memorial Day learning experience at Chatham Grammar with Chantal Uwamahoro, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, sharing her story with Year 9 students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Harris Federation: One of the largest UK Multi-Academy Trusts, operating primary and secondary academies across London and surrounding regions. Comparable to UKAT as a state-funded secondary-academy operator, but at materially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Ark Schools: UK MAT operating a network of academies with strong university-partnership branding. Comparable to UKAT in the secondary-academy model and emphasis on university progression pathways, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• United Learning: Large UK MAT with both state-funded academies and independent schools. Comparable to UKAT in operating secondary schools and offering a breadth of educational pathways, but at national scale and with a mixed independent/state model.

Regional players

• Leigh Academies Trust: Kent-based Multi-Academy Trust operating multiple secondary and primary schools across the South East. Comparable to UKAT as a regional MAT competing in the same Kent/Medway market for students and staff.
• Swale Academies Trust: Kent-based MAT operating secondary and primary schools in the Swale and Medway areas. Comparable to UKAT as a regional academy trust serving overlapping geographies in Kent.

Direct peers

• Oasis Community Learning: UK MAT running a large network of academies with an emphasis on holistic student development and wellbeing. Comparable to UKAT in the secondary-academy model and the focus on wrap-around student support (e.g. UKAT Wellbeing Hub).
• Kemnal Academies Trust: Medium-sized UK MAT operating secondary and primary academies, including schools in the South East. Comparable to UKAT in operating secondary academies with Sixth Form provision and a similar multi-school governance model.
• Fortis Trust: Smaller UK MAT operating schools in the South East. Comparable to UKAT as a similarly-sized academy trust with secondary schools and overlapping regional footprint.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies across the Midlands and East of England. Comparable to UKAT as a similarly-sized academy trust with a comparable portfolio of secondary schools and Sixth Form provision.
• Compass Schools Trust: Smaller UK MAT operating secondary academies with a focus on values-driven education. Comparable to UKAT in scale and operating model as a multi-academy trust with secondary schools and a similar ethos.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ukatacademies
• Facebookfacebook.com/University-of-Kent-Academies-Trust-264738257559032
• Instagraminstagram.com/ukatacademies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-kent-academies-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Kent Academies Trust