The Church Schools Company runs eight schools and has invested pound;25 million in buildings, and facilities in the past 10 years.
It was set up as a charity in 1883 to offer education based on Christian principles of service and tolerance. Today it educates more than 5,500 pupils aged three to 18. More than 90 per cent of sixth-formers go to university, while 93 per cent of pupils get five Cs or better at GCSE. In 2002, the company created a subsidiary, the United Learning Trust, which aims to open 10 city academies.