Issue 12: Business Intelligence for Independent Education
New updates for classfutures.co.uk and tracking January sector activity
Welcome to the Class Futures Briefing: Issue 12.
What’s New?
Since the start of the year, I have been testing out AI to build a prototype app for Class Futures which has a dashboard to track sector activity in real-time. The app provides analytics, visual insights, and activity updates all in one place.
The Tracker Now Shows:
Mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, appointments, and sector news
Visual breakdowns by activity type (pie charts)
Cumulative activity trends over time (line graphs)
Geographic map of school closures
Why This Matters
As well as finding it interesting, the Tracker provides visibility for operators, suppliers, and professionals across the sector. Marketing and PR teams can submit intelligence to feature on the Tracker and in this Briefing newsletter.
Building this app has demonstrated the practical potential of AI coding tools for non-technical teams. Marketing, admissions, business development, and product teams can now launch campaigns, test ideas with customers, and go live in days rather than months - significantly reducing costs and reliance on external suppliers.
If you would like to explore how this could work for your team, I would be very happy to arrange an initial call.
Jonathan
Market Highlights
Closures
Palmers Green High School will close in August 2026 following sustained decline in admissions and resulting financial pressures. Governors are managing the closure with support from the St Albans Education Group.
Acquisitions
Inspired Education has acquired Geneva English School, its third location in Switzerland
Dukes Education continues its Portuguese expansion with The British School of Lisbon, the group’s fifth school in the region
Strategic Ventures
1729 Maths School will launch in September 2026 as the UK’s first specialist maths secondary school for ages 11–18. Funded by Purposeful Ventures and supported by Mill Hill Schools, the school will be led by Founding Head Nick Hamshaw with a mission to nurture mathematically talented students from all backgrounds. According to Nick Hamshaw, the numbers are looking “extremely healthy, from both state and independent sectors.”
Appointments
Rugby School Japan has named Dr. Sarah Wade as Principal beginning August 2026 - the first female Senior School Principal in Rugby’s 450-year history. Dr. Wade brings extensive international leadership experience to the role.
Key Takeaway
Schools need to communicate a clear mission, vision, and values. Thought must be given to emerging areas such as AI - both how it is taught and how it is used to create opportunities across functions. Heads and senior leadership teams must be actively engaged with AI developments. At the same time, the sector continues to navigate complex pressures across economic, cultural, political, social, and technological dimensions.
Get Involved
Share insight, suggestions, and news by replying to this email or submitting updates here. Join the Class Futures LinkedIn community and please forward this briefing to colleagues.