Woodland Academy Trust
Woodland Academy Trust is a not-for-profit Multi-Academy Trust operating five state-funded primary schools across Bexley and Kent, delivering inclusive primary education underpinned by the Apple technology ecosystem, Universal Design for Learning, and a recognised AI strategy, while also selling CPD and training services to external schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersKent, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Woodland Academy Trust does
Woodland Academy Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) operating five state-funded primary schools across the London Borough of Bexley and Kent County Council in South East England. Founded in 2011 and structured as a not-for-profit charitable company limited by guarantee, the Trust delivers inclusive primary education for children aged 4-11 through Knockhall, Lime Wood, Northumberland Heath, Peareswood, and Willow Bank Primary Schools. Its pedagogical model is anchored on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and built around the Apple technology ecosystem, with two schools holding Apple Distinguished School designations and the Trust itself serving as the Apple Regional Training Centre for Kent and Bexley.
Beyond school operations, the Trust runs a portfolio of externally-facing products: a Digital Offer of CPD and school-visit programmes, an AI Strategy (2025-2028) with accompanying AI Toolkit, a podcast series called The Collaborative Talk, downloadable Parent Guides for Digital Tools, and training delivered through partnerships with the London EdTech Hub (LGfL), Computing at School, Teach In Kent, and the Tes Institute. Underlying technology includes Magma Maths for digital assessment, Quest Assessments, Showbie, Nearpod, and a curated suite of EdTools integrated with Apple hardware.
The Trust's revenue is primarily government grant funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) on a per-pupil basis, supplemented by income from professional development, training events, and bespoke digital-strategy support packages sold to external schools and educators. Admissions are free to families and coordinated through Local Authority School Admissions Teams. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Nick Osborne, with Members Emma Aiyere, Frank Green, Andrew Jay, and Neil Riddington serving as governance guardians; there is no parent company or external investor.
Woodland Academy Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Woodland Academy Trust
- Legal name
- Woodland Academy Trust
- Website
- https://woodlandacademytrust.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Woodland Academy Trust is a not-for-profit Multi-Academy Trust operating five state-funded primary schools across Bexley and Kent, delivering inclusive primary education underpinned by the Apple technology ecosystem, Universal Design for Learning, and a recognised AI strategy, while also selling CPD and training services to external schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Woodland Academy Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Woodland Academy Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding (ESFA): As an academy trust, Woodland Academy Trust receives government funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) based on pupil numbers to operate its five primary schools.
- Professional Development and Training Services: The Trust offers CPD opportunities, training events, and school visits through its Apple Regional Training Centre and London EdTech Hub partnerships, generating revenue from external schools and educators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free professional learning sessions through Apple RTC |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke support packages for schools |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Woodland Academy Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Woodland Academy Trust operates five primary schools across Bexley and Kent delivering inclusive education for pupils aged 4-11, while generating additional revenue by selling professional development, training events, and bespoke digital and AI integration support to other schools and educators through its Apple Regional Training Centre, London EdTech Hub events, and Computing at School Hub programmes. Core teaching and learning delivery is underpinned by Apple technology, Universal Design for Learning, Magma Maths digital assessment, and an AI Strategy covering 2025-2028.
Product overview
Woodland Academy Trust is an inclusive multi-academy trust of five primary schools operating across Bexley and Kent. The Trust provides educational services through its core school network, supplemented by specialized programs including the Apple Regional Training Centre (Kent and Bexley), Apple Distinguished School program recognitions, Digital Offer/CPD opportunities, The Collaborative Talk Podcast, AI Strategy with associated AI Toolkit, and Parent Guides for Digital Tools. The Trust's digital ecosystem integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, Magma Maths for assessment, Quest Assessments, Showbie, Nearpod, and various other digital tools. The Trust has achieved national recognition for digital innovation and responsible AI implementation, earning multiple awards including the AI Quality Gold Mark, and serves as a lead partner in the London EdTech Hub.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Knockhall Primary School: Inclusive primary school in Greenhithe, Kent, part of the Woodland Academy Trust family.
- Lime Wood Primary School
- Northumberland Heath Primary School
- Peareswood Primary School
- Willow Bank Primary School
- Apple Regional Training Centre Kent & Bexley
- The Collaborative Talk Podcast
Products and services
- Primary School Education (five primary schools)
- Apple Regional Training Centre - Kent and Bexley
- Digital Offer / CPD Opportunities
- AI Strategy and AI Toolkit
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
- Curriculum and Teaching Framework
- The Collaborative Talk Podcast
- Parent Guides for Digital Tools
Quantifiable outcome
- AI Quality Gold Mark achieved - recognised for responsible AI implementation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Woodland Academy Trust
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Woodland Academy Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Woodland Academy Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Apple Inc.coreWoodland Academy Trust is an Apple Regional Training Centre (RTC) for Kent and Bexley, delivering courses to build educator skills using Apple technology. The Trust also has two Apple Distinguished Schools (Northumberland Heath Primary 2025-2028, Peareswood Primary 2024-2027). This partnership provides training, technology integration, and recognition for innovative Apple technology use in education.
- LGfL (London Grid for Learning)coreWoodland Academy Trust is a lead partner in the London EdTech Hub, supporting schools and educators across the region in exploring educational technology for teaching, inclusion, and assessment. The partnership offers EdTech Study Tours and events.
- Magma MathscoreMagma Maths is used across Woodland Academy Trust schools to enable immediate insight into pupil understanding during lessons, improving digital assessment. The Trust has collaborated with Magma Maths on training sessions showcasing effective use of the platform.
- Computing at School (CAS)coreWoodland Academy Trust hosts a Computing at School Hub focused on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and AI in primary computing, offering professional development events for educators.
- Teach In KentcoreWoodland Academy Trust is a hub school for Teach In Kent, offering initial teacher training through teaching apprenticeships in partnership with Tes Institute, and core CPD for training teachers across Kent.
- University of GreenwichminorUniversity partnership offering student placements for BA 1st and 3rd year placements as well as PGCE. The Trust delivers professional learning days for the university.
- Canterbury Christ Church UniversityminorUniversity partnership offering student placements for teacher training routes including BA and PGCE programmes.
- Age UK BexleyminorLime Wood Primary School partners with Age UK Bexley to deliver the Talking Café, an intergenerational programme bringing together pupils and older community members for conversation, creative activities, and relationship building.
- The QuarryminorThe Quarry community organisation in Erith supports Lime Wood Primary School's Talking Café and community initiatives, helping create opportunities that benefit pupils and the wider community.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Woodland Academy Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Star Academies: UK multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools nationally, recognised for outcomes and inclusion. Comparable as a UK MAT with primary provision and a strong performance brand, but at materially larger scale.
- Harris Federation: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts operating primary and secondary schools across London and the South East, including Bexley-adjacent boroughs. Comparable as a UK MAT running primary schools in the same region, but at materially larger scale and with a broader curriculum portfolio.
- United Learning: National UK multi-academy trust running primary, secondary and independent schools across England. Comparable as a UK MAT operating primary schools with a national footprint, but with much broader scale and a wider portfolio than Woodland's regional focus.
- Oasis Community Learning: Large national UK multi-academy trust running primary and secondary academies across England, with a strong inclusion and community focus. Comparable on mission and primary footprint, but operating at significantly larger scale than Woodland.
Direct peers
- LGfL (London Grid for Learning): UK not-for-profit EdTech organisation supporting schools and MATs across London with digital tools, content, and training, including the London EdTech Hub of which Woodland is a lead partner. Comparable on the EdTech-for-schools mission and the regional training/consulting layer of Woodland's Digital Offer.
- Reach Academy Trust: Small UK multi-academy trust known for an innovative, design-led approach to primary and secondary education in the London area. Comparable as a smaller, innovation-oriented UK MAT with a primary focus and a reputation for doing things differently.
- STEP Academy Trust: UK multi-academy trust operating primary schools in the South East, of which Woodland's CEO Nav Sanghara is also a trustee. Directly comparable as a similarly sized UK MAT focused on primary education in the same broader geography.
- Maritime Academy Trust: UK multi-academy trust whose CEO is also Chair of Trustees at Woodland Academy Trust. Directly comparable as a similarly structured UK MAT running primary schools, providing a useful same-architecture benchmark for governance and operating model.
Emerging players
- Teach First: UK teacher training and education leadership organisation running initial teacher training and leadership programmes with partner schools and MATs. Comparable on the teacher-training/CPD element of Woodland's Teach In Kent hub school activity, though operating at a national rather than regional scale.
Others
- Jisc: UK not-for-profit providing digital, data, and technology infrastructure and guidance to schools, colleges, and universities. Comparable as an enabling organisation that supports the same EdTech and digital-strategy agenda Woodland sells through its Digital Offer, rather than as a direct MAT competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Woodland Academy Trust social profiles
Digital presenceWoodland Academy Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Woodland Academy Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Woodland Academy Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Woodland Academy Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Woodland 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 Woodland Academy Trust
What does Woodland Academy Trust do?
Woodland Academy Trust operates five primary schools across Bexley and Kent delivering inclusive education for pupils aged 4-11, while generating additional revenue by selling professional development, training events, and bespoke digital and AI integration support to other schools and educators through its Apple Regional Training Centre, London EdTech Hub events, and Computing at School Hub programmes. Core teaching and learning delivery is underpinned by Apple technology, Universal Design for Learning, Magma Maths digital assessment, and an AI Strategy covering 2025-2028.
Is Woodland Academy Trust a public or private company?
Woodland Academy Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Woodland Academy Trust founded?
Woodland Academy Trust was founded in 2011. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Woodland Academy Trust based?
Woodland Academy Trust is headquartered in Kent, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Woodland Academy Trust make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding (ESFA) is the primary driver. The others are professional Development and Training Services.
Who are Woodland Academy Trust's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Star Academies, Harris Federation, United Learning and Oasis Community Learning. Direct peers are LGfL (London Grid for Learning), Reach Academy Trust, STEP Academy Trust and Maritime Academy Trust. Teach First is listed as an emerging player. Jisc is listed as an others.
Does Woodland Academy Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Woodland Academy Trust.