Learning Without Limits Academy Trust
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is a UK multi-academy trust operating five primary and secondary academies serving approximately 3,000 students aged 2-16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire, funded by government per-pupil grants and offering centralised school improvement, SEND support, and a proprietary EduHub professional development platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLeicester, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Learning Without Limits Academy Trust does
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust (LwLAT) is a UK charitable multi-academy trust established in 2016, registered under company number 10269535, operating five academies across Leicester City and Leicestershire and serving approximately 3,000 students aged 2-16. The wholly-owned portfolio comprises three secondary academies — Babington Academy, Lancaster Academy, and South Wigston High School — and two primary academies — Woodstock Primary Academy and Heatherbrook Primary Academy — with two additional primary schools (Wyken Croft and Ravensdale) operating as associate partners. The Trust originated from Babington Academy in North-West Leicester and has progressively built centralised back-office functions (finance since June 2021, IT, HR, safeguarding, governance, estates, and catering) to support its schools.
LwLAT's service offering is structured around a School Improvement Programme with short-, medium-, and long-term activity streams, plus a dedicated SEND Support Service using a three-wave intervention approach supplemented by educational psychology partnership with Mosaic Psychology. The Trust's technology stack is standard for the sector and includes Arbor Education as the cloud management information system, FFT Aspire and 4Matrix for assessment and attendance data collaboration, GL Assessments for benchmarking, Accelerated Reader and NGRT for literacy, Weduc for parent communication, Microsoft SharePoint for staff collaboration, and a proprietary in-house professional development platform called EduHub that is being extended to the wider education community. Centralised IT is managed by a Technical Systems Manager who led a £3.5 million IT refresh across the five schools.
LwLAT is funded almost entirely through UK government Dedicated Schools Grant per-pupil funding, supplemented by pupil premium and SEND top-up allocations, with admissions coordinated via Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, currently chaired by Ruth Ingman (appointed May 2024) with four new trustees added between May and July 2025. It is led by CEO John Henrys (in role since 2019), with a central executive team comprising a CFO, COO, Directors of Primary and Secondary Education, and function leads for safeguarding, governance, HR, finance, IT, estates, catering, and communications.
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Learning Without Limits Academy Trust
- Legal name
- Learning without Limits Academy Trust
- Website
- https://www.lwlat.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is a UK multi-academy trust operating five primary and secondary academies serving approximately 3,000 students aged 2-16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire, funded by government per-pupil grants and offering centralised school improvement, SEND support, and a proprietary EduHub professional development platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Primary and Secondary Education (Multi-Academy Trust)
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
Keywords
Where Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leicester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Education Funding: Funded through government per-pupil funding for state-funded academies. Each school receives funding based on pupil numbers with additional pupil premium funding for eligible students.
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is a non-profit multi-academy trust operating five state-funded schools (three secondary, two primary) delivering education to approximately 3,000 students aged 2–16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire. It supplements its school network with centralised services including the EduHub professional development platform, a three-wave Special Educational Needs (SEND) support service, a School Improvement Programme, and shared back-office functions (finance, HR, IT, safeguarding, governance, catering). The Trust also operates associate partner primary schools (Wyken Croft and Ravensdale).
Product overview
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust operates as a multi-academy trust (MAT) established in 2016, consisting of a network of five academies serving approximately 3,000 students from ages 2-16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire. The Trust offers a unified platform of educational services comprising its core academy network (Babington Academy, Lancaster Academy, South Wigston High School, Woodstock Primary Academy, and Heatherbrook Primary Academy), supplemented by centralised professional development through EduHub, comprehensive SEND support using a 3-wave approach, a structured School Improvement Programme spanning short/medium/long-term activities, and shared services including centralised finance, HR, IT, safeguarding, and catering functions. The Trust also provides employee benefits including wellbeing services, financial guidance through Barclays partnership, and Cycle to Work schemes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Trust Academies (Network of Five Schools) A network of five state-funded academies delivering primary and secondary education to approximately 3,000 students aged 2–16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire: Babington Academy (secondary), Lancaster Academy (secondary), South Wigston High School (secondary, 11–16 mixed comprehensive), Woodstock Primary Academy (primary), and Heatherbrook Primary Academy (primary).
- EduHub Professional Development Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- 3000 students served across five academies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Learning Without Limits Academy Trust
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature5 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- BarclayscorePartnership with Barclays offering digital and financial wellbeing services to employees. Services include Digital Wings online learning catalogue and Life Skills employability and financial skills resources. Available to all team members regardless of whether they are Barclays customers.
- Education SupportcoreFree helpline service for all education staff offering confidential emotional support, counselling, and access to qualified counsellors. Additional School Leader Support Service providing professional supervision and confidential 1-1 sessions for Principals and Senior Leadership Teams.
- Schools Advisory ServicecoreProvides comprehensive wellbeing services including bereavement support, cancer and chronic illness support, counselling sessions, GP service, physiotherapy, menopause support, weight management programme, and confidential wellbeing telephone support. Services accessed via phone, email, or mobile app.
- Legal and General / Spectrum.LifecoreEmployee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24-hour telephone helpline, text support, online platform with digital gym, retail discounts, wellbeing content, podcasts, and webinars. Care Concierge service offering guidance on later life care needs for employees and families.
- HeadspacesupportingFree meditation and mindfulness resources and app for educators promoting resiliency, confidence and mental health. Includes techniques and resources for sleep, stress management and anxiety support.
- SanaMente / Strive Wellbeing ProgrammesupportingDelivers the Strive Wellbeing Programme offering free wellbeing support online and in person in the Leicester area. Includes online resources, podcasts, webinars, and free events.
- Mosaic PsychologycoreEducational psychology service supporting all schools to rapidly assess pupil SEND needs. Supports teams to develop SEND provision and classroom strategies. Also provides commissioned time for EHCP assessments.
- Leicester City and County Educational Psychology TeamscoreStatutory assessment services for Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). Trust supplements this work with Mosaic Psychology due to high volume of EHCP applications.
- Challenge PartnerscoreExternal review partnership where schools receive regular visits and feedback on strengths and areas for development from former senior HMIs and other external organisations.
- Confederation of School Trusts (CST)supportingProfessional organisation membership providing access to school improvement leads and best practices nationally for Director of Education and trust leadership.
- Leicester and Leicestershire Teaching School HubcoreTeaching School Hub providing CPD support and training for trust staff. Collaborates on professional development opportunities across the region.
- George Spencer Teaching School HubsupportingAdditional teaching school hub partner providing CPD and support for trust schools.
- Northants Teaching School Hub (Brooke Weston Trust)supportingRegional teaching school hub partnership providing additional CPD capacity when required.
- Coventry Teaching Schools NetworksupportingRegional teaching schools network supporting CPD delivery and professional development across the trust.
- The National CollegecoreOnline CPD provider offering personalised professional development opportunities for all employees. Forms part of the core training offer.
- National Online SafetycoreOnline safety training partner providing additional and bespoke training for staff and governors on online safety matters.
- National Governance AssociationsupportingProvides area-specific governance training and development for trustees and governors across the trust.
- NSPCCcoreChild protection and safeguarding training partner providing bespoke training on safeguarding matters for all employees.
- Walkthru'ssupportingBehaviour and teaching strategies training provider offering bespoke professional development for staff.
- Arbor EducationcoreCloud MIS (Management Information System) supplier to schools. Partnership Manager Daniel Giardiello oversees relationships with MATs for operational efficiencies and data quality. WQE & Regent College Principal Paul Wilson brings expertise from this relationship.
- Education Endowment FoundationcoreEvidence-based teaching and learning resources including guidance reports on behaviour, SEND, literacy, metacognition, feedback and more. Trust references EEF guidance extensively in professional development materials.
- Leicestershire Music HubsupportingFree music CPD and network meetings for staff, plus free secondary resources for music education.
- Voice 21supportingOracy education programme allowing schools to register as Voice 21 Oracy Schools, providing exclusive content including Talk Circles for developing oracy skills.
- National Literacy TrustsupportingUK literacy charity providing resources and support for reading for pleasure initiatives across trust schools.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Discovery Schools Academy Trust: Leicestershire-based multi-academy trust operating a similar portfolio of primary and secondary schools in the same geographic region. Most directly comparable in scale, geography, and pupil demographics.
- STEP Academy Trust: Multi-academy trust operating a network of primary and secondary schools with centralized services. Comparable in operating model, scale, and inclusion/school improvement focus.
- Aspire Academy Trust: Mid-sized multi-academy trust running primary and secondary schools with centralized professional development and SEND support functions. Comparable structure and services portfolio to LwLAT.
- Greenwood Academies Trust: Mid-sized multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands, including the Leicester/Nottingham area. Closely comparable to LwLAT in size, regional focus, and school mix.
- Lionheart Educational Trust: Multi-academy trust operating a portfolio of secondary and primary schools in the East Midlands. Comparable in scale, regional focus, and school improvement approach to LwLAT.
- Brooke Weston Trust: Multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands. Already named as a partner (Northants Teaching School Hub) in LwLAT's data; directly comparable in size, region, and school improvement model.
Broad incumbents
- Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): Large UK multi-academy trust operating dozens of primary and secondary academies. Comparable in model (state-funded MAT with centralized functions and school improvement focus) though broader in geography.
- Ormiston Academies Trust: Large national multi-academy trust operating primary and secondary academies across England. Directly comparable as a state-funded MAT with centralized back-office and school improvement services, though significantly larger in scale.
- United Learning: One of the largest UK multi-academy trusts operating over 100 schools nationally. Comparable as a multi-academy trust running state-funded primary and secondary schools with centralized support functions, though much larger and national rather than regionally focused.
Others
- Arbor Education: Cloud MIS provider to UK schools, including LwLAT. Not a peer but a key technology partner; included to flag the broader MAT vendor ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust social profiles
Digital presenceLearning Without Limits Academy Trust compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Learning Without Limits 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 Learning Without Limits Academy Trust
What does Learning Without Limits Academy Trust do?
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is a non-profit multi-academy trust operating five state-funded schools (three secondary, two primary) delivering education to approximately 3,000 students aged 2–16 across Leicester City and Leicestershire. It supplements its school network with centralised services including the EduHub professional development platform, a three-wave Special Educational Needs (SEND) support service, a School Improvement Programme, and shared back-office functions (finance, HR, IT, safeguarding, governance, catering). The Trust also operates associate partner primary schools (Wyken Croft and Ravensdale).
Is Learning Without Limits Academy Trust a public or private company?
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Learning Without Limits Academy Trust founded?
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust was founded in 2016.
Where is Learning Without Limits Academy Trust based?
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust is headquartered in Leicester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Learning Without Limits Academy Trust make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Education Funding.
Who are Learning Without Limits Academy Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Discovery Schools Academy Trust, STEP Academy Trust, Aspire Academy Trust, Greenwood Academies Trust, Lionheart Educational Trust and Brooke Weston Trust. Broad incumbents are Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), Ormiston Academies Trust and United Learning. Arbor Education is listed as an others.
Does Learning Without Limits Academy Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Learning Without Limits Academy Trust.
What industry is Learning Without Limits Academy Trust in?
Learning Without Limits Academy Trust's product category is Primary and Secondary Education (Multi-Academy Trust). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.