Black Sheep Press
Black Sheep Press is a UK-based, founder-operated private publisher of downloadable speech, language, and communication resources (PDFs, online tools, and iOS apps) for children aged 3-16+ with developmental language disorder, serving speech therapists, schools, organisations, and parents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersBishops Castle, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Black Sheep Press does
Black Sheep Press (BSP) is a privately-held UK company, incorporated in Shropshire (Company Number 6739334) and operating from Bishops Castle, that publishes downloadable and digital speech, language, and communication resources for children aged 3-16+ with developmental language disorder (DLD) and speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). The company is independently owned and founder-operated, with no disclosed external funding, subsidiaries, or parent entities. Its customer base spans individual speech and language therapists, schools and nurseries, organisations and services (including NHS trusts, private therapy companies, and universities), and parents and carers.
The core platform is a WooCommerce-based e-commerce storefront delivering three product formats: perpetual PDF downloads, browser-based online resources, and iOS mobile applications (notably the Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment app, co-developed with the academic Language and Literacy in Young People Research Group led by A/Prof Suze Leitão). Resources are authored by credentialed practitioners including SLTs Helen Rippon and Judith Carey and educational psychologist Marion Nash, and cover assessments, speech sounds, concepts, grammar, vocabulary, narrative skills, social communication, and emotional wellbeing. A differentiated feature is the Snippets subscription, which lets professionals push PDF extracts to parents and carers for homework exercises, creating an underused home-school communication loop. All content is copyrighted and licensed rather than transferred.
BSP operates a hybrid revenue model: one-time PDF licences tiered across Individual, School, and Organisation tiers, layered with recurring annual subscriptions (Snippets and online resources, both auto-renewing) and one-time mobile app purchases. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a £75 + VAT replacement download fee referenced for orders within five years of original purchase. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website with global digital delivery; physical products (CDs) have been discontinued. Marketing is product-led and concentrated in Facebook, opt-in email, organic SEO, and content/blog updates, with awareness campaigns tied to events such as World Book Day, World Autism Awareness Day, and Mental Health Awareness Week.
Black Sheep Press firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Sheep Press
- Legal name
- Black Sheep Press Limited
- Website
- https://blacksheeppress.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Black Sheep Press is a UK-based, founder-operated private publisher of downloadable speech, language, and communication resources (PDFs, online tools, and iOS apps) for children aged 3-16+ with developmental language disorder, serving speech therapists, schools, organisations, and parents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Sheep Press industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Speech and Language Therapy Resources
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Speech-Language & Communication Intervention Materials (EDAGAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports) (EDAGAIAL)
Keywords
Where Black Sheep Press is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bishops Castle
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Black Sheep Press business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- PDF Resource Licences: One-time purchase licences for downloadable PDF resources. Three tiers: Individual Licence (for personal use on two devices), School Licence (for one geographical school location), and Organisation Licence (tailored to team size). PDFs can be printed and reprinted for use with children on the licence holder's caseload.
- Snippets Subscription: Annual subscription service enabling professionals to send specially selected PDF extracts to parents and carers via the website. Allows sharing homework exercises and extending therapy beyond sessions. Automatically renews annually.
- Mobile Applications: Apps available for purchase on mobile devices. Includes narrative assessment apps such as Squirrel Story and Peter and the Cat, with voiceovers, audio recording, and automatic report generation.
- Online Resource Subscriptions: Time-limited access to online digital resources via subscription, typically valid for 12 months from purchase date. Automatically renews annually unless cancelled.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Licence - for personal use by one named individual |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | School Licence - for one geographical school location |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Organisation/Service Licence - for multiple users in teams |
| Subscription | Annual | Snippets Subscription - annual subscription for sending extracts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Replacement Download Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Black Sheep Press product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Sheep Press publishes and sells downloadable PDF resources, browser-based online resources, and iOS mobile apps that support speech, language, and communication development in children and young people aged 3 to 16+. The catalogue covers assessments, phonological worksheets, sound games, narrative skills, vocabulary, grammar, social communication, and emotional wellbeing, and is sold under tiered Individual, School, and Organisation licences plus an annual Snippets subscription.
Product overview
Black Sheep Press is a speech and language therapy resource company offering downloadable PDF resources, online digital resources, and mobile apps for teachers, speech therapists, and parents. The core product portfolio includes assessments (Pupil Language Profile, Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment), phonological worksheets (PW series for various phonemes), sound games and stories for speech sound production, and situational understanding resources (Talking About series). The product architecture consists of three delivery formats: PDF downloads (licensed per user type), online web-based resources (with snippet-sharing functionality), and mobile apps for iOS devices. Key product bundles include the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Bundle (6 resources), Social Communication Skills Bundle (5 resources), and Speech Sound Bundles ( worksheets, games, stories per phoneme). Resources target developmental language disorder (DLD) and cover speech sounds, concepts, grammar, vocabulary, narrative skills, social communication, and emotional wellbeing across age ranges from 3 to 16+ years.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment App iPad and iPhone app that delivers the Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment for children aged 3-6 years. Includes an illustrated ebook with voiceovers, audio recording, on-screen profiling, dictation, and automatic report generation, with iCloud, Dropbox, and email integration to transfer reports and audio recordings. Designed for speech and language therapists, schools, and parents.
- Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment (Hard Copy) Physical hard-copy version of the Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment, a narrative re-telling assessment that yields a descriptive profile of a child's development across 6 key narrative competencies. For children aged 3-6 years; distributed by Royal Mail.
- Barrier Concepts – Listening Skills Colourful barrier games and activities to develop listening skills, attention, auditory memory, and understanding and use of concepts. For children aged 5-7 years; downloadable PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Pupil Language Profile (PLP) – Screening Measure 4-6yrs Screening measure that provides structured information about a child's level of language functioning, measuring understanding from 1 to 4 keyword level and sampling ability to construct phrases and sequences. For children aged 4-6 years; downloadable PDF resource for SLTs and schools.
- Talking About School – Developing Situational Understanding Activities for children aged 5-7 years+ who have difficulty managing emotions in school settings. Depicts challenging social and educational scenarios to develop situational understanding and strategies. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Talking About Conversations – Social Skills Resource for children aged 7+ that depicts social scenarios to develop social skills, situational understanding, verbal reasoning, and conversational skills. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Talking About Resilience – Wellbeing Resource focusing on resilience building for young people, offering a visual approach to facilitate discussion about bouncing back from adversity. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Secondary School Readiness – Transition to Secondary School Resource pack to help prepare children for transition from primary to secondary school. Contains eight topics with practical activities focused on reducing anxiety and supporting transition. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Phonological Worksheets Series (p Final) Comprehensive set of pictures and activities focusing on correction of the /p/ phoneme in final position. For children aged 4-7 years; PDF resource for SLTs and schools.
- /f/ Initial Sound Games Sound games to support children aged 4-7 years in bridging the gap between therapy sessions and conversational use of the /f/ initial sound. PDF resource for SLTs and schools.
- k Initial Bundle Bundle of three resources (Sound Games, Sound Stories, Phonological Worksheets) to help children aged 4-7 years with /k/ initial sound production difficulties. PDF bundle for SLTs and schools.
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing Bundle for Children Aged 11+ Bundle of six resources (Talking About Community, Social and Emotional Skills, Resilience, Social Responses Advanced, Secondary School Readiness, and Talking About Secondary School) addressing emotional health and wellbeing for children aged 11+. PDF bundle for SLTs and schools.
- Talking About Community Online Resource Online resource for children aged 13+ that develops social skills in the community through scenario-based learning with audio playback. Browser-based resource with time-limited subscription access; for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Question Formation – 'Let's Ask Questions' Activities to support early question formation skills for children aged 4-7 years with developmental language disorder or delayed language development. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Auditory Memory Resource Updated resource featuring engaging games and activities to enhance auditory memory, attention, and listening skills for children aged 4-11 years. PDF resource for SLTs, schools, and parents.
- Nursery Narrative 5th Edition 5th edition of the Nursery Narrative resource, a pack for developing narrative skills in young children. PDF resource for SLTs, nurseries, and parents.
Companies that use Black Sheep Press
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Black Sheep Press technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Black Sheep Press partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Language and Literacy in Young People Research GroupminorA research group led by A/Prof Suze Leitão that carries out research to inform understanding of oral language development and disorders in children and young people, as well as reading and spelling (literacy). The Squirrel Story Narrative Assessment was developed based on their foundational work and the group continues to inform BSP's assessment tools.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Black Sheep Press competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PRO-ED: US publisher of assessments, special education, and speech-language materials. A broader incumbent offering comparable assessments and therapy resources within a wider special education catalogue.
- Twinkl: Large UK-based digital educational publishing platform offering SEND and speech/language resources alongside the full curriculum. A broader incumbent that overlaps with BSP in school SLCN resources but competes primarily on breadth and price.
Emerging players
- Smarty Ears: US-based publisher of speech-language pathology apps and materials for children and adults. Comparable in app-based delivery of speech therapy tools to clinicians and families.
- Tactus Therapy Solutions: Developer of evidence-based speech therapy apps for adults and children. Comparable in mobile/app-based delivery of clinical speech-language tools, though focused on apps rather than printable resources.
Direct peers
- LinguiSystems: US publisher of speech-language and special education resources, including assessments and therapy materials. Directly comparable in targeting SLTs working with children with language disorders.
- Elklan: UK organisation providing speech, language, and communication training and resources for school staff and parents. Comparable in SLCN/DLD focus and UK education customer base, with an adjacent training-plus-resources model.
- Super Duper Publications: US-based publisher of speech-language therapy materials, assessments, and apps for children and schools. Highly comparable product offering (printable resources, assessments, apps) targeting SLTs and educators working with children.
- LDA (Learning Development Aids): UK supplier of SEND and special educational needs resources, including speech and language materials. Comparable as a UK-based supplier serving schools and SENCos with specialist SLCN/SEND resources.
- Speechmark Publishing: UK-based publisher of speech, language, and communication resources for schools and therapists. Closely comparable in geography, target customers (UK SLTs and schools), and SLCN focus.
Others
- Nasen: UK membership organisation supporting SEND practitioners with resources, training, and policy advocacy. Adjacent ecosystem participant that intersects with BSP's SEND/school buyer base rather than competing directly.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Sheep Press social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Sheep Press financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Sheep Press leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Black Sheep Press funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Sheep Press 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 Black Sheep Press
What does Black Sheep Press do?
Black Sheep Press publishes and sells downloadable PDF resources, browser-based online resources, and iOS mobile apps that support speech, language, and communication development in children and young people aged 3 to 16+. The catalogue covers assessments, phonological worksheets, sound games, narrative skills, vocabulary, grammar, social communication, and emotional wellbeing, and is sold under tiered Individual, School, and Organisation licences plus an annual Snippets subscription.
Is Black Sheep Press a public or private company?
Black Sheep Press is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Black Sheep Press founded?
Black Sheep Press was founded in -1.
Where is Black Sheep Press based?
Black Sheep Press is headquartered in Bishops Castle, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Black Sheep Press make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. PDF Resource Licences are the primary driver. The others are snippets Subscription, mobile Applications and online Resource Subscriptions.
Who are Black Sheep Press's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PRO-ED and Twinkl. Emerging players are Smarty Ears and Tactus Therapy Solutions. Direct peers are LinguiSystems, Elklan, Super Duper Publications, LDA (Learning Development Aids) and Speechmark Publishing. Nasen is listed as an others.
Does Black Sheep Press have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Sheep Press.
What industry is Black Sheep Press in?
Black Sheep Press's product category is Speech and Language Therapy Resources. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAMAF, Speech-Language & Communication Intervention Materials, with a secondary code of EDAGAIAL, Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports). Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 2731.