THE RIVERS C OF E MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

What THE RIVERS C OF E MULTI ACADEMY TRUST does

The Rivers C of E Multi Academy Trust is a primary-specialist multi-academy trust (MAT) and charitable company limited by guarantee, founded in 2014 and registered in England and Wales (company number 09199371). It operates 16 schools — primarily primaries plus first schools and nursery settings — across Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley in the West Midlands, educating more than 5,500 pupils and employing over 850 staff. The trust's purpose is to provide an 'extraordinary education for every pupil', operationalised through a unified curriculum, the Evergreen one-device-per-pupil digital learning programme (built on a Microsoft Teams environment), the MEE (My Extraordinary Experiences) enrichment framework of 20 structured activities aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, and the Rivers Teaching Alliance, which delivers PGCE with QTS initial teacher training in partnership with the University of Worcester, National Professional Qualifications as the sole NIoT provider in Worcestershire and Sandwell, and a two-year Early Career Teacher programme. Governance is delivered through a three-tier structure of Members, Trustees and local Advocates operating since September 2022.

Revenue is derived almost entirely from state sources: core funding flows from the Department for Education via the National Funding Formula on a per-pupil basis, supplemented by top-ups for additional needs, while the Teaching Alliance generates a secondary income stream through ITT tuition (£9,790 for full-time UK students on the 2026/27 PGCE), funded NPQ programmes, and paid professional development courses delivered with partners such as Action Point Training and GLOW Maths Hub. The trust sells into three customer segments: pupils and families (indirect, via per-pupil funding), schools considering academy conversion (a 6-12 month due diligence-led sales motion culminating in DfE Advisory Board approval), and education professionals seeking ITT/NPQ/ECT qualifications. All 16 schools are Ofsted-rated 'good' or 'outstanding', and the trust was named Large MAT of the Year and MAT Leadership Team of the Year at the 2023 National MAT Awards.

The leadership team is led by CEO Matt Meckin (joined September 2023, a former Ofsted HMI), Chief Education Officer Julie Hiddleston (promoted September 2025), Chief Financial and Operations Officer Susanna Taylor, Director of Inclusion Sally Philpotts (joined September 2025), Director of Education Kerry Postans, and Director of Professional Learning Catherine Atkinson. No parent company, external investment, or private equity backing is indicated; the trust operates as an independent non-profit governed by its board with diocesan representation from the Diocese of Worcester.

Name

THE RIVERS C OF E MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

Legal name

The Rivers CofE Multi Academy Trust

Website

https://riverscofe.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Rivers C of E Multi Academy Trust is a primary-specialist multi-academy trust operating 16 state-funded schools across Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley, educating 5,500+ pupils with 850+ staff, and delivering teacher training and CPD through the Rivers Teaching Alliance in partnership with the University of Worcester and the National Institute of Teaching.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Droitwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Core funding from the Department for Education through the National Funding Formula for academies. Schools receive per-pupil funding plus additional allocations for pupils with additional needs.
2. Initial Teacher Training Programmes: One-year PGCE with QTS programmes in partnership with University of Worcester. Tuition fee of £9790 for full-time UK students for academic year 2026/27.
3. National Professional Qualifications (NPQs): NPQ programmes for school teachers and leaders through National Institute of Teaching. Many NPQs fully funded for eligible settings.
4. Professional Development Courses: First Aid courses, compliance training, and specialist courses offered through Rivers Teaching Alliance partnership with Action Point Training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Rivers CofE Multi Academy Trust operates 16 primary, first, and nursery schools delivering state-funded primary education to over 5,500 pupils across Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley, supported by the Evergreen digital device programme, the MEE (My Extraordinary Experiences) enrichment programme of 20 activities, and an ambitious curriculum. Through the Rivers Teaching Alliance it also delivers Initial Teacher Training (PGCE with QTS), National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), Early Career Teacher support, and professional development courses, alongside central services (finance, HR, IT, estates, governance) to its member schools.

Product overview

THE RIVERS C OF E MULTI ACADEMY TRUST operates as a primary-specialist multi-academy trust with 16 schools, offering a unified educational ecosystem centered on its 'Extraordinary Education' mission. The core educational offerings include the Evergreen digital learning programme (providing devices to pupils from Year 3 upwards), MEE (My Extraordinary Experiences) enrichment programme with 20 activities, and a comprehensive curriculum. The Rivers Teaching Alliance provides teacher training and professional development through Initial Teacher Training (PGCE with QTS), National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and Early Career Teacher programmes. Central services support schools with finance, HR, IT, estates management, compliance, and marketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evergreen Digital Device Programme An innovative digital device programme providing all pupils with access to devices, with pupils in Years 3 and above receiving their own device for use in school and at home. It combines digital tools with traditional teaching to personalise learning, foster independence, narrow the digital divide, and promote creativity and collaboration.
• MEE (My Extraordinary Experiences) An enrichment programme providing all pupils from Reception to end of primary school with the opportunity to complete twenty special activities grouped into four categories: Act and think collaboratively, Act and think creatively, Act and think fairly, and Act and think sustainably. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.
• Curriculum An ambitious, carefully planned curriculum built around 'extraordinary education for every pupil', covering core subjects (English, Maths, Science following national schemes), foundation subjects (History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Computing, Music, PE, RE, Languages) and Early Years provision, emphasising real-world learning, sustainability, enrichment through trips and visitors, and clear progression.
• Rivers Teaching Alliance Provider of professional development and teacher training, offering Initial Teacher Training (PGCE with QTS), National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), Early Career Teacher (ECT) programme, and Professional Learning courses. The only National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) NPQ provider in Worcestershire and Sandwell, working with over 40 schools across the region.
• Initial Teacher Training (PGCE with QTS) A one-year Post Graduate Certificate of Education with Qualified Teacher Status, delivered in partnership with the University of Worcester, with hub-based training and day-one immersion in placement school. Offers four routes: Primary (ages 3-7), Primary (ages 5-11), Primary with PE (ages 5-11), and Primary SEND Specialism (ages 5-11). Tuition fee of £9,790 for full-time UK students in academic year 2026/27.
• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) Professional development qualifications for school teachers and leaders, including NPQ in Headship, NPQ for SENCOs, NPQ in Leading Teaching, NPQ in Leading Primary Maths, NPQ in Senior Leadership, NPQ in Early Years Leadership, NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture, NPQ in Leading Literacy, and NPQ in Leading Teacher Development. Many NPQs are fully funded for eligible settings.
• Early Career Teacher (ECT) Programme A two-year comprehensive programme delivered in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), combining expert mentoring, professional development workshops, and practical classroom strategies. Offers a fully funded Early Career Teaching Programme (ECTP).
• Central Services for Member Schools Comprehensive central services supporting member schools, covering Education and School Improvement, Finance, People/HR, Digital Innovation and IT, Health and Safety, Estates and Facilities, Operations and School Office Support, Procurement and Contract Management, GDPR and Data Protection, Marketing and Communications, and Governance support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of schools judged 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Institute of Teaching (NIoT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The trust was approved as a founding associate college for NIoT in 2023. Only provider of NIoT NPQs in Worcestershire and Sandwell. ECT programme delivered in partnership with NIoT.
• University of WorcestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for PGCE with QTS initial teacher training programmes. The Rivers Teaching Alliance offers a one-year PGCE with QTS in partnership with the university. Trainees gain QTS, a PGCE and 60 master's-level credits.
• Rivers Teaching Alliance YouTube ChannelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouTube channel showcasing trainee experiences and trust content for marketing and recruitment purposes.
• Action Point TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for delivering First Aid at Work, Safer Recruitment, Paediatric First Aid, and Fire Marshal courses through the Rivers Teaching Alliance.
• GLOW Maths HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe trust hosts GLOW Maths Hub opportunities at the Rivers Teaching Alliance location, providing maths professional development.
• NATRE (National Association of Teachers of Religious Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe trust runs and hosts the NATRE subject leader network, providing RE leaders and teachers with collaborative opportunities.
• Education MutualminorOthersStaff have access to physiotherapy, mental health support, and occupational health services through Education Mutual as part of staff benefits.
• Disability ConfidentminorOthersThe trust is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to inclusive recruitment and supporting employees with disabilities.
• Diocese of WorcestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch of England diocese partner. St Peter's Droitwich C of E Academy awarded Silver Church & School Partnership Award by Diocese of Worcester. Diocesan representative on trust board.
• University of Worcester ITT Strategic Governance BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Matt Meckin serves as board member for the University of Worcester's ITT Strategic Governance Board.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ark Academies: National multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools with a strong teacher training and leadership development pipeline. Comparable in its education professional development focus and central services model, though broader in phase coverage.
• Star Academies: Large multi-academy trust operating a portfolio of primary and secondary schools nationally with centralised school-improvement functions. Overlaps with The Rivers CofE MAT on school improvement, governance and central services provision, but at a much larger footprint.
• United Learning: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts, spanning primary through secondary with substantial teacher training and CPD programmes. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping central services and teacher development, but at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Oasis Community Learning: Large multi-academy trust with significant primary provision and a hub-based operating model. Comparable to The Rivers CofE MAT in operating a family of schools with strong central services, community ethos, and a teaching/training arm.
• Greenshaw Learning Trust: Growing multi-academy trust that takes on schools seeking conversion and offers central improvement services. Comparable to The Rivers CofE MAT in growth-via-conversion model and school-improvement value proposition.
• REAch2 Academy Trust: One of the largest primary-specialist multi-academy trusts in England, operating a network of primary academies with a school-improvement-led growth model. Directly comparable to The Rivers CofE MAT in primary-only focus, academy conversion strategy, and central services wraparound.

Regional players

• Diocese of Worcester Academies Trust: Church of England multi-academy trust in the West Midlands with school-improvement and central services functions for member schools. Highly comparable to The Rivers CofE MAT in CofE identity, regional focus and academy conversion pathway, though covering a different local authority footprint.
• The Mercian Trust: West Midlands multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools with central services and school improvement support. Comparable to The Rivers CofE MAT in regional West Midlands presence and school-improvement offering, though broader in phase coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RiversCofEAcademyTrust
• Facebookfacebook.com/Riverscofetrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riverscofetrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/rivers_academy_trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries17 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 THE RIVERS C OF E MULTI ACADEMY TRUST