MacIntyre Academies

What MacIntyre Academies does

MacIntyre Academies Trust is a UK not-for-profit Multi-Academy Trust operating specialist schools for children and young people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties, and other complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The trust, established in 2012 and sponsored by the MacIntyre charity (founded 1966), currently operates four academies serving approximately 290 learners aged 7 to 19: Endeavour Academy (Oxfordshire, 32 places, opened 2014), Discovery Academy (Nuneaton, Warwickshire, opened 2015), Quest Academy (Rugby, Warwickshire, 80 places, opened 2017), and Venture Academy (Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, 50 places, joined 2020). Two additional schools are scheduled to open in Quorn (Leicestershire) and Malvern (Worcestershire) in September 2027.

The trust's core offering is built around the 'Compassionate Schools' framework, a trauma-sensitive and attachment-aware pedagogical model grounded in unconditional positive regard and person-centred strategies. This is supported by three proprietary programmes: No Limits (for children with autism, learning difficulties, and challenging behaviour), My Way (personalised learning pathways for adult life preparation), and Family Footings (a family partnership programme with dedicated facilitators). The education model is delivered through individualised learning pathways, holistic development, and preparation for adult life, with all four academies achieving 'Good' Ofsted ratings and two achieving 'Outstanding' for personal development.

MacIntyre Academies generates revenue through statutory government funding from the Department for Education (DfE), based on per-pupil allocations and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) top-up funding for high-needs SEND placements. The trust does not charge tuition fees and does not serve private customers. Admissions are coordinated through Local Authorities and EHCP processes. Growth is driven by sponsoring new free special schools, converting existing schools, and partnering with Local Authorities seeking to expand special educational provision. The trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, led by CEO Emily Hopkins-Hayes (appointed 2025) and Chair Denise Cockrem, with a hiring pipeline and SEND Wave 3 capital allocation supporting two further school openings in 2027.

Name

MacIntyre Academies

Legal name

MacIntyre Academies Trust

Website

https://macintyreacademies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

MacIntyre Academies Trust is a UK not-for-profit Multi-Academy Trust operating four special schools serving approximately 290 learners aged 7-19 with autism and SEMH needs, funded by DfE per-pupil allocations and EHCP top-up grants, with two additional schools opening in 2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Multi-academy trust
• Special needs schools
• Autism education provision
• SEN school network

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton Keynes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Core funding from the Department for Education (DfE) based on pupil numbers and EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) allocations. Schools receive statutory funding per pupil and additional SEN funding for students with complex needs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MacIntyre Academies is a Multi-Academy Trust that operates four special schools (Endeavour Academy, Discovery Academy, Quest Academy, and Venture Academy) providing specialist education for children and young people aged 7-19 with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. The trust delivers education through its Compassionate Schools framework, supported by dedicated programmes including Family Footings (family partnership), No Limits, and My Way, serving approximately 290 learners across Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

Product overview

MacIntyre Academies operates as a Multi-Academy Trust of four special schools (Endeavour Academy, Discovery Academy, Quest Academy, and Venture Academy) serving approximately 290 learners aged 7-19 with complex needs including autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties across Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. The trust delivers education through its Compassionate Schools framework—a trauma-sensitive, attachment-aware approach—supported by specialised programmes including Family Footings (family partnership), No Limits, and My Way. Each academy operates independently while sharing the trust's core values of Compassion, Ambition, and Partnership. The trust is planning expansion with two new schools opening in Quorn and Malvern in September 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Venture Academy: Specialist school for children aged 9-16 years with autism and/or social, emotional or mental health diagnosis, based in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire.
• Discovery Academy
• Quest Academy
• Endeavour Academy

Products and services

• Endeavour Academy A specialist school for children aged 8-19 with autism and learning difficulties, opened in September 2014 in Oxfordshire with 32 places, providing education closer to home for children who previously attended out-of-county schools.
• Discovery Academy A specialist school opened September 2015 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire for children and young people aged 9-19 years with Education, Health and Care Plans for autism and/or social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Quest Academy A specialist school for children and young people aged 7-16 years with additional needs associated with autistic spectrum condition (ASC) or social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties, opened September 2017 in Rugby, Warwickshire, providing 80 places.
• Venture Academy A specialist school for children and young people aged 9-16 years with autism and/or social, emotional or mental health diagnosis. Based in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire with capacity for 50 students.
• Compassionate Schools Approach A trauma-sensitive, attachment-aware educational approach based on unconditional positive regard, person-centred strategies, and evidence-based interventions to support pupil wellbeing and reduce restrictive practices across all academies in the trust.
• Family Footings Programme A family partnership programme with dedicated Family Footings Facilitators supporting effective two-way communication with families and co-production in young people's education across the trust.
• No Limits Programme A sector-leading programme for children and young people with autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and complex needs, offering innovative solutions and greater choice for families across the trust.
• My Way Programme A personalised learning pathway programme helping young people develop skills and strategies for successful adult life, integrated into the trust's ambitious curriculum approach across all academies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Venture Academy rated 'Good' by Ofsted with 'Outstanding' for personal development (March 2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NuroleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Nurole, a board-level search specialist, to recruit new Trustees for the Trust Board. Applications handled through Nurole's platform.
• Leicestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Local Authority for development of new special school in Quorn, scheduled to open September 2027 as part of SEND Wave 3 Schools allocation.
• Worcestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Local Authority for development of new special school in Malvern, scheduled to open September 2027 as part of SEND Wave 3 Schools allocation.
• Oxfordshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership to develop Endeavour Academy, MacIntyre's first school opened in September 2014. The partnership enabled many children who had previously attended out-of-county schools to receive specialist support closer to home.
• MacIntyrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012MacIntyre is the founding national charity sponsor of MacIntyre Academies Trust. Established in 1966, MacIntyre provides the trust with sponsorship, national voice on issues, and ongoing internal support. The trust was established in 2012 as a separate organisation to expand MacIntyre's contribution to education.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hesley Group: Specialist education and residential provider for children and adults with autism and complex needs, operating schools and supported living services across the UK. Directly comparable service offering for the autistic and IDD cohort.
• Witherslack Group: Operates a portfolio of specialist schools and residential homes across the UK for children with SEN, including autism, SEMH, and complex needs. The closest direct peer to MacIntyre Academies in terms of operating model, age range, and pupil profile.
• National Autistic Society: UK charity operating specialist schools and autism services for children and adults. Comparable as a heritage non-profit specialist education provider with shared mission focus on autism.
• Five Rivers Child Care: Provides specialist education, residential care, and fostering services for children and young people with complex needs, including autism and SEMH. Comparable in mission and operating model.
• Ambitious about Autism: National charity running specialist schools and college services for autistic children and young people in England. Shares the same non-profit, specialist school model and autism-focused mission as MacIntyre Academies.
• Acorn Care and Education: Operates specialist residential schools and education services for children with autism, social, emotional, and mental health difficulties. Closely comparable in cohort, age range, and specialist education delivery.
• Cambian Group: Provides specialist residential, educational, and therapeutic services for children and young people with autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs. Highly comparable operating model and target population.
• Outcomes First Group: One of the largest UK providers of specialist education, care, and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism, learning disabilities, and SEMH needs. Directly comparable in service mix and target cohort, and parent of Witherslack.

Broad incumbents

• Priory Education Services: Operates independent specialist schools across the UK for children with SEN, including autism, SEMH, and complex needs. Part of a broader healthcare and education group; comparable on specialist school delivery but with a wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MacIntyre_ac
• Facebookfacebook.com/macintyreacademiestrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/macintyre-academies

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries6 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 MacIntyre Academies