What The Aurora-Group does

The Aurora Group is a UK-based specialist education, care, and support services provider for children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The company operates a network of 22 or more specialist day schools, 2 further education colleges (including Aurora Boveridge College and Aurora Foxes training hotel), and 2 residential homes across England. Service provision addresses Autism Spectrum Conditions, ADHD, Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, Moderate Learning Difficulties, Severe/Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, and Speech, Language and Communication Needs. The group integrates the R.E.A.L. Education division as a proprietary curriculum framework applied across school, college, and residential settings.

The company's operating model is built around specialist placements commissioned by UK local authorities under Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Go-to-market relies on direct commissioning relationships with local authorities supplemented by an admissions channel that includes families, caregivers, and funding partners via enquiry forms and Eventbrite-hosted open events. Placement formats span 38-week day school placements, up to 52-week residential placements, and outreach services. The organization is B Corp certified, signaling externally validated social impact governance.

Aurora serves three primary customer segments: children and young people aged 5–19 with SEND requiring specialist day schooling, post-16 students and young adults aged 16–30 needing further education and transition support, and individuals with profound and multiple learning difficulties requiring residential care. Pricing is not publicly disclosed because all placements are government-funded through EHCP arrangements, making revenue mechanics entirely dependent on local authority commissioning budgets and policy.

Name

The Aurora-Group

Legal name

Aurora Care & Education Opco Ltd

Website

https://the-aurora-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Aurora Group is a UK-based specialist education, care, and support provider operating 22+ day schools, 2 further education colleges, and 2 residential homes for children, young people, and adults with SEND. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Gloucester, it delivers placements commissioned by local authorities via EHCPs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Care Services (SEND)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Special education services
• SEND schools
• Residential care homes
• Further education colleges
• Therapeutic education provision

Headquarters

HQ city

Gloucester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Education and Care Services Commissioning: Revenue is generated through commissioned placements by local authorities for children, young people and adults with SEND. Placements include day school placements (38 weeks), residential placements (up to 52 weeks), and outreach services. Funding is secured through EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) and local authority commissioning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Aurora Group provides specialist education, care, and support services for children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It operates a national network of independent specialist day schools (38-week placements), further education colleges for post-16 learners, and children's and adult residential homes (up to 52-week placements) across England, with services addressing autism, SEMH, ADHD, MLD, SLCN, and complex needs. Placements are commissioned by local authorities via Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with R.E.A.L. Education acting as the group's specialist curriculum programme.

Product overview

The Aurora-Group is an education, care and support services organization providing specialist services for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Established in 2015, it operates a portfolio of 22 specialist day schools (including Aurora Beeches School, Aurora Brooklands School, Aurora Chaldon School, Aurora Hanley School, Aurora Meldreth Manor School, and others), 2 further education colleges (Aurora Boveridge College and Aurora Foxes training hotel), and 2 residential homes (Aurora Meldreth Manor Children's Home and Aurora Orchard Manor Residential Home). The organization also includes R.E.A.L. Education as part of its network. Services address conditions including Autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), learning difficulties (MLD, SLD, PMLD), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and complex health needs. The portfolio includes both day and residential placement options, with some schools offering 38-week or 52-week provision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• R.E.A.L. Education: A related education service mentioned as a separate entity under the Aurora Group umbrella.

Products and services

• Aurora Beeches School Specialist independent day school offering academic and therapeutic provision in a rural setting for young people aged 11-16 with autism spectrum conditions or additional social, emotional and mental health needs; 38-week day placement in Cranborne, Dorset.
• Aurora Brampton Valley School Specialist independent day school for young people aged 5-19 with autism spectrum conditions and social, emotional and mental health needs; opening Autumn 2026 in Market Harborough.
• Aurora Brooklands School Independent specialist day school supporting young people aged 9-16 who face challenges associated with social, emotional and mental health needs and behavioural challenges; 38-week day placement in Leyland, Lancashire.
• Aurora Cedars School Specialist independent day school offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 5-19 with additional social, emotional and mental health needs; 38-week day placement in Wolverhampton.
• Aurora Chaldon School Specialist secondary education provision offering a calm, nurturing environment for students aged 11-16 with autism and associated social communication, sensory, and emotional regulation difficulties; 38-week day placement in Redhill.
• Aurora Chaldon Education Centre Specialist secondary education in a calm, nurturing environment for children aged 11-19 with communication difficulties typically associated with autism spectrum conditions; day placement in Caterham, Surrey.
• Aurora Charnwood School Specialist school for learners aged 7-19 combining personalised academic, social and emotional support to build confidence, resilience, and lifelong learning; opening Autumn 2026 in Coalville with a secondary Hinckley site.
• Aurora Eccles School Specialist academic and therapeutic provision in a creative, supportive environment for students aged 11-16 who have experienced difficulties in mainstream settings; day placement (Eccles).
• Aurora Fairway School Specialist day school in St Ives, Cambridge, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with a range of complex needs.
• Aurora Hanley School Independent specialist education for young people aged 6-19 with communication and social needs typically associated with autism spectrum conditions; day placement.
• Aurora Hedgeway School Flexible, inclusive education and positive learning community for children and young people aged 7-19 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of autism and related social and communication needs.
• Aurora Ivy Lane School Specialist school providing education for young people aged 11-19 with complex care needs.
• Aurora Keyes Barn School Specialist independent primary school for boys aged 5-12 facing challenges associated with additional social, emotional, or mental health needs.
• Aurora Linemere School Specialist secondary education provision; opening Autumn 2026 in Backwell.
• Aurora Meldreth Manor School Education, care, and therapeutic support for children and young people with severe, profound, and multiple learning difficulties and complex needs.
• Aurora Peartree School Specialist day school provision; opening Autumn 2026 in Great Malvern.
• Aurora Poppyfield School Specialist day school offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with autism and associated behavioural and communication difficulties.
• Aurora Redehall School Specialist education in a calm, nurturing environment for children aged 6-11 with communication difficulties typically associated with autism spectrum conditions.
• Aurora Rowan School Specialist and therapeutic provision supporting pupils aged 5-16 with autism spectrum conditions, moderate to severe learning difficulties, and complex needs.
• Aurora Ryefields School Specialist day school providing academic and therapeutic support for young people aged 5-19 with autism spectrum conditions with additional social, emotional, and mental health needs.
• Aurora Severnside School Specialist independent day school offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, autism, and additional learning needs.
• Aurora Summerfields School Independent specialist provision supporting young people aged 5-19 with complex communication and social needs typically associated with autism spectrum conditions.
• Aurora Vincent House School Specialist academic provision with a therapeutic environment for autistic young people aged 11-16, some of whom experience high anxiety.
• Aurora White House School Specialist academic and therapeutic provision in a caring, supportive environment for children aged 5-16 who have experienced difficulties in mainstream settings.
• Aurora Wilden View School Specialist school supporting young people aged 5-19 with a range of complex learning needs including social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language, and communication difficulties.
• Aurora Woodlands School Independent specialist day school supporting young people aged 10-19 facing challenges associated with social, emotional and mental health needs and behavioural challenges.
• Aurora Mansfield School (formerly RIS Mansfield School) Specialist education provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, formerly RIS Mansfield School and acquired by the group with the brand retained.
• Aurora Boveridge College Specialist further education college providing day and residential support for young people with autism spectrum conditions or additional social, emotional, and mental health needs (post-16).
• Aurora Foxes College Specialist college and training hotel for young people aged 16-25 with learning disabilities, situated in Minehead, Somerset.
• Aurora Meldreth Manor Children's Home Residential children's home for children and young people with severe, profound, and multiple learning difficulties and complex needs.
• Aurora Orchard Manor Residential Home Living and learning environment designed to facilitate the transition from education into adulthood for young adults with multiple complex needs.
• R.E.A.L. Education Specialist education programme integrated within the Aurora Group network, providing a specialised learning approach and curriculum framework for individuals with SEND.

Quantifiable outcome

• Positive outcomes for children, young people and adults with SEND through education and care

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• R.E.A.L. EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aurora Group includes R.E.A.L. Education as part of its service offerings, representing an internal/affiliated educational approach focused on specialized learning for individuals with SEND. R.E.A.L. Education is referenced as a distinct service within the organization's network of schools and colleges.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Witherslack Group: UK operator of specialist schools and children's homes for children with SEND including autism, SEMH and complex needs. Most direct comparable on operating model, geographic footprint and commissioning channel.
• Outcomes First Group: One of the largest UK providers of specialist education and care for children with SEND, operating residential, day schools and home-based services funded via local authorities. Directly comparable on funding model and learner population.
• Kisimul Group: UK specialist provider of residential schools and care homes for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex behavioural needs. Closely comparable residential SEND model and commissioning channel.
• Cambian Group: UK provider of specialist residential and education services for children and young adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs. Highly comparable SEND residential and education model.
• Hesley Group: UK provider of specialist education, residential and adult services for children and adults with autism and complex needs. Comparable scale and full-life-stage SEND model.

Emerging players

• United Learning: Large UK multi-academy trust operating mainstream and some specialist provision, including SEND-focused academies. Comparable education delivery channel and regulatory exposure, though broader in scope.
• National Autistic Society: UK charity operating specialist education services including schools and post-16 provision for autistic learners. Comparable learner population and SEND specialism, though structured as a charity rather than commercial operator.

Broad incumbents

• Priory Group: Large UK incumbent operating specialist education, residential care and mental health services for young people and adults, including autism and SEMH. Broader portfolio than Aurora but overlapping commissioning relationships and learner cohorts.
• CareTech Holdings: UK-listed provider of residential care, specialist education and fostering services for children and adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. Broader portfolio with material overlap in SEND residential and education.

Regional players

• St. Andrew's Healthcare: UK charity providing specialist education, residential and clinical care for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex mental health needs. Comparable specialist SEND population with a non-commercial funding mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theauroragroup4155
• Facebookfacebook.com/AuroraGroupUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-aurora-group-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_auroragroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 The Aurora-Group