What Kendal College does

Kendal College is a UK further education institution operating across three campuses in Kendal, Cumbria — the Milnthorpe Road main campus, the Beezon Road Arts & Media campus, and the Market Place Westmorland campus — serving school leavers (16-18), adult learners (19+), higher education students, and local, regional and national employers. The college delivers a portfolio spanning A-Levels, T-Levels, BTECs and vocational diplomas across 23+ departments (Construction, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Creative Arts, Motor Vehicle, Hospitality, Theatre & Event Technology, Sport & Outdoor Adventure, etc.), alongside Level 2-5 apprenticeships, degree-level programmes (HNC, HND, Foundation Degrees, BA Hons, PGCE) validated by Pearson, Access to HE pathways, professional and part-time qualifications, and bespoke business training. Public-facing training facilities (The Restaurant, House of Hair & Beauty / The Retreat, The Box theatre, Wildman Street Gallery, Kendal Museum) generate ancillary commercial revenue while supporting student learning. Supported Internships via the DFN Project SEARCH partnership — including placements at NHS University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and an ASDA retail pilot — target SEND learners, with reported 70% paid-employment outcomes versus 5.1% nationally.

Name

Kendal College

Legal name

Kendal College

Website

https://kendal.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kendal College is a UK further education college operating three campuses in Kendal, Cumbria, delivering A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational diplomas, apprenticeships (Levels 2-5), and Pearson-validated degree programmes to school leavers, adult learners, and regional employers across the Cumbria catchment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kendal

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: Primary revenue from UK government funding for 16-18 year old students and eligible adults studying approved qualifications. Government funds cover tuition for qualifying students based on national funding rules.
2. Tuition Fees (Full-Fee Paying Students): Revenue from course fees charged to self-funding students, international students, and adults not eligible for government funding. Examples include Uniformed Services at £2573, Theatre & Event Technology at £3345, and Vocational Studies Link 2 at £2000.
3. Apprenticeship Training: Revenue from apprenticeship training programs funded through the Apprenticeship Service, either via employer levy contributions or government co-investment for non-levy employers. Training spans Level 2 to Level 5 apprenticeship standards.
4. Bespoke Business Training: Revenue from employer workforce development programs including business management, accounting, HR, leadership, marketing, first aid, professional communication, food safety training. Delivered on-site or at college premises with group discounts available.
5. Degree-Level Programmes: Revenue from higher education programmes including HNC, HND, Foundation Degrees, BA (Hons) Degrees, and PGCE. Programmes validated by Pearson with over 30 years of experience delivering degree-level courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kendal College is a further education institution delivering full-time vocational and academic courses (A-Levels, T-Levels, BTECs, vocational diplomas), apprenticeships across Levels 2-5, degree-level programmes (HNC, HND, Foundation Degrees, BA Hons), part-time professional qualifications, bespoke employer training, and supported internships. Instruction is carried out across three Kendal campuses equipped with industry-standard workshops, training restaurants, salons, theatre, and gallery facilities.

Product overview

Kendal College is a further education institution offering a unified portfolio of educational products and services. The core offering comprises full-time courses (A-Levels, T-Levels, BTECs, vocational diplomas), apprenticeships (Levels 2-5), degree-level programmes (Kendal Higher), and part-time professional courses. Supporting services include work placements, bespoke business training for employers, pre-employment courses via partner Cidori, and numeracy training through Multiply. Public training facilities include The Restaurant, House of Hair & Beauty, The Box theatre, and Wildman Street Gallery. The Your Bright Future portal provides careers support and a local jobs board. The college operates across three campuses in Kendal, Cumbria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Restaurant: College restaurant facility providing hospitality training and dining experience
• House of Hair & Beauty
• The Box
• Wildman Street Gallery
• Kendal Museum
• Your Bright Future
• The Retreat
• Castle Dairy

Products and services

• Full-Time Courses Comprehensive suite of vocational and academic full-time courses for school leavers aged 16-19, covering A-Levels, T-Levels, BTECs, and vocational diplomas across 23+ departments including Construction, Engineering, Health & Social Care, and Creative Arts.
• Apprenticeships (Levels 2-5) Apprenticeship programmes at Levels 2-5 enabling employees to gain qualifications while working, with dedicated facilitators providing progress updates and tailored training plans. Funded via employer apprenticeship levy or co-investment.
• T-Levels
• Degree-Level Courses (Kendal Higher) Higher education programmes including HNC, HND, Foundation Degrees, and BA (Hons) Degrees validated by Pearson, offered on full-time or part-time basis with flexible delivery.
• Part-Time Courses and Professional Qualifications Flexible part-time courses and professional qualifications allowing employees to gain industry-recognised credentials while working, with options for group discounts, on-site delivery, and distance learning.
• Bespoke Business Training Customised training programmes for employers covering business management, accounting, HR, leadership, marketing, first aid, professional communication, public speaking, and food safety, delivered at college or workplace.
• Access to HE Courses Access to Higher Education programmes enabling adults to progress onto university-level courses, particularly in Health & Human Sciences and other vocational areas.
• Pre-Employment Courses (Cidori - Ready for Work) Funded 'Ready for Work' sector-specific programmes with wrap-around support helping people find sustainable employment, operated through partnership with Cidori and Job Centre Plus.
• Multiply (Numeracy Training) Bespoke numeracy training programmes for employees in any industry to improve confidence and competence at work, delivered in workplace settings.
• Supported Internships (DFN Project SEARCH) Programmes for young people with SEND (including those with EHCP) providing immersive workplace learning with employer partners including NHS (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay) and ASDA, focused on developing employability skills for paid employment. 70% of graduates secure paid roles vs 5.1% nationally.
• The Restaurant (Public Training Facility) Training restaurant providing real hospitality experience for students while serving the public, part of the Hospitality & Catering department.
• House of Hair & Beauty (Public Training Facility) Training hair and beauty salon open to the public, providing practical experience for students in Barbering, Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy programmes.
• The Box (Theatre Facility) On-site theatre venue used for performances and events, supporting the Theatre & Event Technology and Performing Arts programmes.
• Wildman Street Gallery Gallery space for student artwork exhibitions and external shows, supporting the Art & Design department.
• Your Bright Future Jobs Portal Online jobs board and careers platform enabling employers to advertise vacancies and students to browse local job and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Work Placements Work experience placements integrated into study programmes, with minimum 35 hours (one week or spread) and longer 45+ day industry placements available in some areas.
• A-Levels A-Level programmes for school leavers aged 16-18, supporting progression to higher education. Kendal College reported a 100% A-Level pass rate in 2018 with 83% achieving A*-C grades.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of supported interns secure paid employment after graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DFN Project SEARCHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership delivering Supported Internship programmes for young people aged 17-25 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP). Kendal College is a certified DFN Project SEARCH host site, providing immersive workplace learning in NHS settings with the goal of supporting interns into sustained paid employment. Nationally, 70% of those supported by DFN Project SEARCH secure paid roles after graduation.
• NHS (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS employer partnership providing workplace rotation opportunities for Supported Internship interns across multiple hospital departments including clerical services, reception, portering, catering, pharmacy, maintenance, medical records, retail, stores, radiology, laundry, domestics, sterile services, and patient support services.
• ASDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASDA Supported Internship Pilot Pathway - one-year pilot programme (2026/27) forming part of a nationally funded research project. Delivered in partnership with Youth Futures Foundation, King's College London, and DFN Project SEARCH. Provides retail workplace rotations for young people with SEND without an EHCP. Part of a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) research study.
• King's College LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for the ASDA Supported Internship Pilot Pathway Randomised Control Trial (RCT) research study exploring the impact of Supported Internships on employment outcomes for young people with SEND.
• CidoriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner working with Job Centre Plus and other agencies to help people find sustainable employment through fully funded 'Ready for Work' sector-specific programmes with wrap-around support from employment managers and work coaches.
• GT7 Football AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports academy partnership for Football (GT7) programme aimed at developing knowledge, practical skills and understanding of the football industry.
• PearsoncoreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body validating HNC/D higher education courses. Kendal College's degree-level programmes are validated by Pearson with over 30 years of partnership experience.
• The University of the Arts London (UAL)coreTechnology or IntegrationAwarding body for Theatre & Event Technology and other arts programmes, offering tailor-made qualifications for students wishing to pursue professional and highly practical approaches to theatre and events studies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hugh Baird College: General further education college in Liverpool with vocational, apprenticeship and higher education portfolio including degree-level courses. Comparable size and revenue model operating in adjacent Northwest England catchment.
• Newcastle College: Further education college in Northeast England offering vocational, A-Level, apprenticeship and higher education programmes. Comparable departmental breadth and apprenticeship levy-driven revenue model, operating in adjacent Northern England region.
• Myerscough College: Land-based further and higher education college in Lancashire specialising in agriculture, sport, and animal care. Regional peer offering directly comparable Sport & Outdoor Adventure and Agriculture departments at Kendal College, with similar employer partnership model.
• Blackpool and The Fylde College: General further education college on the Lancashire coast offering vocational, A-Level, apprenticeship, and degree-level programmes. Comparable size and curriculum breadth to Kendal, serving adjacent regional catchment in the Northwest.
• Bolton College: Further education college in Greater Manchester offering vocational, apprenticeship, T-Level and higher education programmes. Similar departmental breadth and funding model, operating in adjacent Northwest England catchment.

Direct peers

• Carlisle College: Further education college located in Carlisle, Cumbria, providing full-time, part-time, apprenticeship, and higher education courses. Operates in Kendal College's catchment area with directly comparable programmes and employer engagement model.
• Furness College: Further education college based in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, offering vocational, apprenticeship, A-Level and higher education programmes across multiple campuses. Direct peer operating in the same Cumbrian catchment with similar scale and revenue model.
• Lancaster and Morecambe College: General further education college in Lancaster, Lancashire, offering vocational, A-Level, apprenticeship and degree-level programmes across similar department breadth. Closely comparable size, funding model, and Northwest England catchment profile.

Broad incumbents

• DN Colleges Group: Multi-campus further education group operating Doncaster College and North Lindsey College across South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Larger broader incumbent demonstrating the multi-campus FE group model Kendal could scale into, with full vocational, apprenticeship and higher education portfolio.
• University of Cumbria: Public university with campuses across Cumbria including Lancaster, Carlisle, Ambleside and London. Overlaps with Kendal's higher education offerings and competes for degree-level students in the same regional catchment, but operates broader academic and research portfolio beyond vocational FE focus.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/KendalColl
• Facebookfacebook.com/KendalCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/kendalcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/kendalcollege
• TikToktiktok.com/@kendalcollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Kendal College