the white rose academies trust

What the white rose academies trust does

White Rose Academies Trust is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire, operating as a company limited by guarantee and exempt charity under the Academies Act 2010. Founded in 2014, the Trust runs four academies: one primary (Alder Tree Primary) and three secondaries (Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy, Leeds West Academy), educating 3,600+ students with 500+ staff across all sites. The Trust delivers education services to families in underserved Leeds communities, with admissions processed through local authority channels and funding provided by the Department for Education via the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

The Trust's service model layers centralized core functions over the four academies. Its core offer includes School Improvement (delivered through the proprietary 5R model: Relationships, Review, Report, Refine, Revisit), Safeguarding, SEND support, Marketing and Design, Finance, Human Resources, IT Support Services (built on Microsoft 365 and a bespoke SharePoint portal), and Estates Management. Supporting programs include a Waved Approach to Early Career Teacher support, a Trust-wide CPD programme, and Staff Wellbeing benefits. The Trust has achieved Ofsted Good ratings across all four academies (2019 for secondaries, 2023 for primary) and received the Pagabo national Best Collaboration award for its 2025 Leeds City Academy capital expansion.

Revenue is generated primarily through government per-pupil funding, supplemented by central services charges levied on member academies for shared back-office services. The Trust has no parent company, no external shareholders, and operates under a Board of Trustees with governance support from Luminate Education Group as a corporate member. There is no indication of M&A activity, external funding rounds, or diversification beyond the Leeds geography.

Name

the white rose academies trust

Legal name

White Rose Academies Trust

Website

https://whiteroseacademies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

White Rose Academies Trust is a Leeds-based Multi Academy Trust operating four schools (one primary, three secondary) serving 3,600+ students, funded by the UK Department for Education and supported by in-house centralized services including HR, Finance, IT, School Improvement, and SEND.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter STEM/STEAM-Focused Schools (EDAJACAG)

Keywords

• Multi academy trust
• Primary and secondary education
• School improvement services
• SEND and safeguarding support
• Centralised education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Academies receive recurrent funding from the Department for Education (DfE) based on student numbers and educational needs. This forms the primary revenue stream for Trust operations.
2. Central Services Charges: The Trust provides centralized services (HR, Finance, IT, Marketing, Estates) to member academies, with costs shared across the trust.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

White Rose Academies Trust is a Multi Academy Trust operating four academies in Leeds (one primary and three secondary schools) and delivering centralized support services including school improvement, safeguarding, SEND, finance, HR, IT, estates, marketing, and CPD to its member schools. The trust provides publicly funded K-12 education to approximately 3,600 students while sharing operational resources across its academies.

Product overview

White Rose Academies Trust is a Multi Academy Trust operating as a unified platform of educational services across four academies (Alder Tree Primary, Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy, and Leeds West Academy) supported by centralized core services. The Trust provides a comprehensive suite of integrated educational and operational services including School Improvement (5R model), Safeguarding, SEND Support, Marketing & Design, Finance Management, Human Resources, IT Support Services (ITSS), and Estates Management. Additional offerings include an Early Careers Teacher Programme with waved support, a CPD Programme, Assurance & Evaluation, and Staff Wellbeing & Benefits. These services work together to support the academies in delivering high-quality, inclusive education while maintaining operational excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alder Tree Primary Primary school academy providing education for primary-age students with a focus on creativity and individual development. Achieved Ofsted rating of Good in 2023.
• Leeds City Academy Secondary academy known for diversity and inclusivity, featuring newly expanded facilities including 11 new teaching spaces, science studios, music rooms, and breakout spaces. Received national award for Best Collaboration via Pagabo Framework.
• Leeds East Academy Secondary academy focused on leadership development for students and staff, fostering a learning environment where students are encouraged to take leadership roles.
• Leeds West Academy Secondary academy renowned for its focus on performing arts, providing top-of-the-range facilities to support students in creative and artistic journeys.
• School Improvement Service School Improvement Entitlement operating through a year-round calendar of activity driven by the 5R model (Relationships, Review, Report, Refine, and Revisit). Supports schools in delivering high-quality, inclusive education.
• Safeguarding Services Comprehensive safeguarding support including training, safer recruitment practices, and oversight from a Director of Safeguarding with over 20 years of specialist experience. Led by Raminder Aujla.
• SEND Support Services Special Educational Needs and Disabilities support providing personalised support plans, highly trained SEND specialists, and collaborative approach with families and external agencies.
• Finance Management Rigorous financial planning, transparent reporting, and proactive budget management. Services include budget reporting, forecasting, purchasing support, and capital project management with cloud-based accounting and AI integration exploration.
• Human Resources Support Full employee lifecycle support including safer recruitment, HR compliance, payroll and pensions administration, strategic HR guidance, employee wellbeing assistance, and proactive case management.
• IT Support Services (ITSS) Responsive technical support, secure scalable infrastructure, device management, network management, cloud services, cyber security, and strategic digital planning. Supports Microsoft 365 and classroom technologies.
• Estates Management Professional estates management ensuring safe, functional, and inspiring learning environments. Covers proactive maintenance, compliance, facilities management, capital projects, sustainability, and asset management.
• Marketing, Design & Events Full-service creative solution covering professional website design, brand development, printed materials, social media, PR, and interior transformations. Includes environmental and interior design for classrooms, corridors, and outdoor spaces.
• Early Careers Teacher (ECT) Programme High-quality ECT induction with a structured two-year programme including access to trained mentors, regular feedback, and professional learning aligned with the Early Career Framework. Features waved approach to support and development.
• Collaborative Advantage & CPD Programme Comprehensive continuing professional development programme with professional development for all staff, expert-led training, and commitment to lifelong learning. Includes leadership training and classroom support.
• Staff Wellbeing & Benefits Staff wellbeing programme including Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, Wisdom App, 24/7 helpline, Mental Health First Aiders, Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme, and Blue Light Card discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• All academies achieved Ofsted Good rating by 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Morgan SindallcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Construction partner for Leeds City Academy expansion project, delivering 11 new teaching spaces, science studios, music facilities, and other infrastructure improvements.
• AtkinsRéaliscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Engineering and project partner for Leeds City Academy expansion, contributing to the design and delivery of the new facilities.
• Watson Batty ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Architectural partner responsible for the design of Leeds City Academy expansion project.
• Leeds City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local authority partner involved in the Leeds City Academy expansion project, including local councillors and council representatives.
• Pagabo FrameworkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National framework provider through which the Leeds City Academy expansion was delivered. The project received Pagabo's Best Collaboration award.
• Luminate Education GroupcoreOthersCorporate member of the Trust, represented in the Members layer of governance.
• Safer Recruitment ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accreditation body providing Safer Recruitment training to ensure Trust complies with safeguarding standards in hiring.
• Health AssuredcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployee assistance programme provider offering 24/7 confidential helpline, Wisdom app, and wellbeing resources for all Trust staff.
• CycleSchememinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTax-efficient cycle to work scheme provider allowing staff to save up to 47% on bikes and accessories.
• TechSchememinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSalary sacrifice scheme for technology purchases at discounted rates for staff.
• West Yorkshire Pension FundcoreOthersLocal Government Pension Scheme provider for eligible staff with guaranteed pension and employer contributions.
• Microsoft 365coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud platform used across all academies for collaborative, secure, and accessible learning environments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Learning: One of the largest UK MATs, running a national portfolio of schools including academies and independent schools. Comparable in shared central services and school improvement approach, but at materially larger scale.
• Wellspring Academy Trust: Northern England-based MAT operating primary and secondary academies, including those in underserved communities. Comparable in operating model, regional footprint and target demographic.
• Ormiston Academies Trust: National UK MAT with a portfolio of primary and secondary academies and a clear focus on school improvement. Comparable in central services structure and academy conversion growth strategy.
• Star Academies: National UK MAT operating non-selective secondary and primary schools with a strong track record of school improvement. Comparable in operating model and growth ambition via academy conversions.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies, focused on raising standards in underserved communities. Comparable in operating model and target demographic to White Rose.
• E-ACT: One of the largest UK Multi Academy Trusts, operating a national network of primary and secondary academies. Directly comparable in operating model (state-funded, independently governed academies with central services) and at greater scale.
• Outwood Grange Academies Trust: Large Yorkshire-based MAT operating primary and secondary academies across the North of England. Closest regional peer to White Rose in geography and operating model, with a similar mix of secondary and primary schools.

Regional players

• Priory Federation of Academies: Yorkshire-based MAT operating secondary and primary academies in the Humber region. Closest regional peer in geography to White Rose with similar school improvement focus and scale.
• Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust: Yorkshire-based MAT operating primary and secondary academies in the Bradford and surrounding region. Comparable in regional context and school improvement approach but with faith-inspired character.

Broad incumbents

• Luminate Education Group: Larger Leeds-based education group and corporate member of White Rose Academies Trust. Operates further education and higher education alongside schools, providing the broader education ecosystem context for WRAT's operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-white-rose-academies-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 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 the white rose academies trust