Bellevue Education

2015-06-03T10:00:13Z

86.166.89.69: amend details

{{Orphan|date=June 2015}}

'''Bellevue Education International Limited''' is the parent company of '''Bellevue Education Group''', an education management company founded in 2003.<ref name=DellamCompanyInfo>{{cite web|title=BELLEVUE EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED|url=http://www.dellam.com/04924426-BELLEVUE%20EDUCATION%20GROUP%20LIMITED.html|website=Dellam Corporate Information Limited|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> It has grown rapidly and now owns eleven independent schools in the UK and one Swiss boarding school.<ref name=EdInvestor2012>{{cite news|title=Bellevue Education continues empire building|url=http://www.educationinvestor.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=3012|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Education Investor Website|publisher=Education Investor|date=22 Oct 2012}}</ref><ref name=UKIndependents>{{cite web|title=Our UK Independent Schools|url=http://www.blvue.com/uk-independent-schools/schools/|website=Bellevue Education|publisher=Bellevue Education|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=SwissSchools>{{cite web|title=Swiss Boarding Schools|url=http://www.blvue.com/swiss-boarding/schools/|website=Bellevue Education|publisher=Bellevue Education Limited|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref>

The company's Chief Executive, and founder, Mark Malley, owns approximately 17% of the shares. The other major investor is Bellevue's Chairman, Marwan Naja, an entrepreneur focusing on the education sector, and owner of Hong Kong-based companies Plato One Ltd and Plato Two Ltd which together hold the other 83% of the shares.<ref name="EdInvestor2012" /><ref name=2011AnnualAccounts>{{cite web|title=BELLEVUE EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED - Annual Accounts|url=https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/company/documentextract/56750437|website=Companies in the UK|publisher=Bellevue Education Group Limited|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=NCHMarwanNaja>{{cite web|title=Marwan Naja|url=https://www.nchum.org/marwan-naja|website=New College of the Humanities|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=Shareholders>{{cite web|title=Bellevue Education International Limited: Shareholders|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08028529/BELLEVUE-EDUCATION-INTERNATIONAL-LIMITED/group-structure|website=Company Check|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> He also owns the Geneva-based investment company Manixer,<ref name=MarwanNajaLinkedIn>{{cite web|title=Marwan Naja|url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marwan-naja/35/517/983|website=LinkedIn|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref> which describes itself as an investor in Bellevue Education.<ref name=Manixer>{{cite web|title=Manixer|url=http://www.manixer.com/|website=Manixer|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref> Manixer also provides services to Bellevue Education.<ref name="2011AnnualAccounts" /> The Bellevue Education website says it has significant financial backing from a small number of British and Swiss families who are passive investors in the group.<ref name=BellevueEdBackground>{{cite web|title=Background|url=http://www.blvue.com/about-us/background/|website=Bellevue Education|publisher=Bellevue Education|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref>

Through the '''Bellevue Place Education Trust''', set up in partnership with Place Group, Bellevue Education also runs, or has been pre-approved to run, six UK state-funded [[Academy (English school)|academies]], under the [[Free school (England)|Free School]] programme.<ref name=BvuAcademies>{{cite web|title=Academies: Schools|url=http://www.blvue.com/academies/schools/|website=Bellevue Education|publisher=Bellevue Education Limited|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=PlaceGroupPartnership>{{cite web|title=Place Group gains first Free School approval as part of a proposer group|url=http://www.place-group.com/news121.html|website=Place Group|publisher=Place Group|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> These are financed on a non-profit basis via a master funding agreement with the [[Department for Education (United Kingdom)|Department for Education]].<ref name=MasterFundingAgreement2013>{{cite web|title=BELLEVUE PLACE EDUCATION TRUST FREE SCHOOLS: Master Funding Agreement|url=http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=139775&downloadfs=pdf&numfile=0|website=Department for Education: School Performance Tables|publisher=Department for Education|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=TrustDirectorsReport2013>{{cite web|title=Bellevue Place Education Trust: Director's Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st August 2013|url=http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=139775&downloadar=pdf|website=School Performance Tables|publisher=Department for Education|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref>

==Company history==
Bellevue Education Group Limited was founded under the name '''House Education''' by Mark Malley in 2003, when he bought Norfolk House [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]] in London.<ref name="DellamCompanyInfo" /><ref name=BellevueTimeline>{{cite web|title=About Us: Timeline|url=http://www.blvue.com/about-us/timeline/|website=Bellevue Education|publisher=Bellevue Education Limited|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=MarkMalleyCompanyCheck>{{cite web|title=Mark William Malley: Director Summary|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/913742040|website=Company Check|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> He also became the headteacher of the school.<ref name=NorfolkHouseInspection2011>{{cite web|title=Norfolk|url=http://www.norfolkhouseschool.org/images/uploads/documents/Norfolk_House_School_-Inspection-Report-2011-V1.0.pdf|website=Norfolk House School|publisher=Independent Schools Inspectorate|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref>

In 2008 House Education was renamed '''The Really Great Education Company Limited (EDCO)''' and purchased Weston Green School in Surrey.<ref name="DellamCompanyInfo" /><ref name="BellevueTimeline" /><ref name=AdAgency>{{cite web|title=EDCO|url=http://www.theagencyforeducation.co.uk/work.php?item=edco&sub=2|website=The Agency for Education|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> It also purchased [[Skippers Hill Manor Preparatory School]] in East Sussex in 2010,<ref name="BellevueTimeline" /><ref name=EMCSkippersHill>{{cite web|title=EMC brokers a bright new future for Skippers Hill Manor School|url=http://www.emcltd.co.uk/news/success-stories/emc-brokers-a-bright-new-future-for-skippers-hill-manor-school|website=EMC|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> an expansion which contributed to its identification as an aspirant company in the proprietorial schools sector.<ref name=AdamSmithInstReport2010>{{cite web|last1=Croft|first1=James|title=Profit-Making Free Schools: Unlocking the Potential of England’s Proprietorial Schools Sector|url=http://www.adamsmith.org/sites/default/files/resources/ASI_School_report_WEB.pdf|website=Adam Smith Institute|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref>

The company adopted the name '''Bellevue Education Group''' in 2011, prior to acquiring three more independent schools: Edenhurst Prep School in Staffordshire, Brabyns Preparatory School in Cheshire, and Gateway School in Buckinghamshire.<ref name="DellamCompanyInfo" /><ref name="BellevueTimeline" /> These purchases, and the additional purchase of a share interest in [[Gstaad International School]], were financed by investment from Plato Two Limited.<ref name="2011AnnualAccounts" />

In 2012, Bellevue Education Group was reported to be jointly owned by Mark Malley, with a 35% stake, and its Chairman Marwan Naja, owner of Plato One Ltd and Plato Two Ltd.<ref name="EdInvestor2012" /> Further investment in that year by Plato Two Ltd coincided with the establishment of '''Bellevue Education International Limited''', of which Bellevue Education Group became a wholly owned subsidiary.<ref name="2011AnnualAccounts" /><ref name="Shareholders" /> The parent company completed the acquisition of Gstaad International School, later re-opened as Surval Gstaad, and purchased a second Swiss boarding school, Surval Mont-Fleuri, subsequently renamed as Surval Montreaux.<ref name="BellevueTimeline" /><ref name=SurvalMontreauxWiki>{{cite web|title=Surval Mont-Fleuri|url=https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surval_Mont-Fleuri|website=Wikipedia|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref>

Back in the UK, Bellevue Education Group opened a new independent school, Wandsworth Preparatory School.<ref name="BellevueTimeline" /><ref name=WandsworthIntro>{{cite web|title=An introduction to Wandsworth Preparatory School by Mark Malley, CEO of Bellevue Education.|url=http://www.wandsworthprep.com/2012/01/introducing-wps/|website=Wandsworth Preparatory School|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref>

During 2013, Bellevue Education Group acquired two more UK independent schools: Montessori House Nursery in Muswell Hill and [[Elmhurst School for Boys|Elmhurst School]] in South Croydon.<ref name="BellevueTimeline" />

Bellevue acquired two more UK independent schools in 2014, making a total of 11: Forest Preparatory School in [[Altrincham]] and Forest Park Preparatory School in [[Sale, Cheshire|Sale]], Cheshire.<ref name="BellevueTimeline" /><ref name=CheshireSchools2014>{{cite news|title=Bellevue buys two schools in Cheshire|url=http://www.educationinvestor.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=3756|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Education Investor|date=27 Feb 2014}}</ref>

===Bellevue Place Education Trust===
In 2012, '''Bellevue Place Education Trust''' was formed, as a partnership between Bellevue Education Group and Place Group.<ref name=BellPlaceCompanyInfo>{{cite web|title=About Bellevue Place Education Trust|url=http://www.datalog.co.uk/browse/detail.php/CompanyNumber/07956784/CompanyName/BELLEVUE+PLACE+EDUCATION+TRUST|website=Data Log|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=PlaceGroup>{{cite web|title=Support for Free Schools|url=http://www.place-group.com/freeschools/index.html|website=Place Group|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref>

The following year the trust opened its first state-funded [[Free school (England)|free school]], Rutherford House in Balham.<ref name=RutherfordHouse>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.rutherfordhouseschool.co.uk/aboutus.php?rt3k=|website=Rutherford House School|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> It was reported to be partnering with philosopher [[AC Grayling]] on another free school project,<ref name=ACGraylingProjectBBC>{{cite news|title=AC Grayling seeks to open free school in north London|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21080809|accessdate=9 November 2014|date=19 Jan 2013}}</ref> but that bid was unsuccessful.<ref name=GraylingBidEnds>{{cite news|last1=Osley|first1=Richard|title=AC GRAYLING ADMITS FREE SCHOOL BID IN CAMDEN IS OVER|url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2013/aug/ac-grayling-admits-free-school-bid-camden-over|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Camden New Journal|date=15 Aug 2013}}</ref>

The trust opened two more free schools in 2014; Braywick Court School in Maidenhead and Whitehall Park School in Islington.<ref name=BraywickCourtOpens>{{cite news|title=Braywick Court School opens with first 28 pupils|url=http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Bray-Holyport-Fifield/Braywick-Court-School-opens-with-first-28-pupils-05092014.htm|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Maidenhead Advertiser|date=5 Sep 2014}}</ref> The establishment of Whitehall Park on the former site of [[Ashmount School]] was controversial, being opposed by the local council and some local residents,<ref name=StandardWhitehallParkFeb14>{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Alison|title=The middle-class parent’s dream school and a battle for an asbestos-riddled site|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/the-middleclass-parents-dream-school-and-a-battle-for-an-asbestosriddled-site-9149092.html|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=The Evening Standard|date=24 Feb 2014}}</ref><ref name=HaringeyIndependent2013>{{cite news|last1=Daventry|first1=Michael|title=Free school protest: 'We don't want schools run to just make a profit'|url=http://m.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/10766113._We_don_t_want_schools_run_to_just_make_a_profit_/|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Haringey Independent|date=29 Oct 2013}}</ref><ref name=IslingtonCouncilWhitehallPark>{{cite web|title=New housing proposal for former Ashmount School site|url=http://www.islington.gov.uk/islington/news-events/news-releases/2014/01/Pages/PR5191.aspx|website=Islington Council|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> and criticised over the cost of refurbishing the school building.<ref name=IslingtonTribuneWhitehallPark>{{cite news|title=Bill for Archway ‘free’ school set to top £10m|url=http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2014/may/bill-archway-%E2%80%98free%E2%80%99-school-set-top-%C2%A310m|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Islington Tribune|date=16 May 2014}}</ref>

Later in 2014 the Bellevue Place Education Trust obtained Government "pre-approval" to open four more free schools in London in 2015: Richmond Bridge Primary,<ref name=RichmondBridgePrimaryNews>{{cite news|title=Two free primary schools In Richmond get Department for Education approval|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11290610.Two_free_primary_schools_get_Department_for_Education_approval/|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Richmond and Twickenham Times|date=23 June 2014}}</ref> Kilburn Grange,<ref name=KilburnGrangeNews>{{cite news|last1=Proctor|first1=Ian|title=The 420-place Kilburn Free Primary School approved by education secretary Michael Gove|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/420-place-kilburn-free-primary-school-7294499|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Get West London|date=19 June 2014}}</ref> Halley House,<ref name=HalleyHouseApprovalNews>{{cite news|last1=Winny|first1=Annalies|title=Critics slam cash for free schools as education budget faces the axe|url=http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2014/07/04/critics-slam-funding-for-free-schools/|accessdate=9 November 2014|work=Hackney Citizen|date=4 July 2014}}</ref> and Watling Park.<ref name="BvuAcademies" /><ref name=BurntOak>{{cite news|last1=Caven|first1=James|title=Watling Park School in Burnt Oak moves closer to opening|url=http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/11505050.New_free_school_moves_closer_to_opening/?ref=mr|accessdate=10 November 2014|work=Barnet and Potters Bar Times}}</ref> However, the trust was unable to secure a site in the Richmond Bridge area, so the proposed Richmond Bridge Primary School was renamed to Deer Park School.<ref name=RBPrename>{{cite web|title=Richmond Bridge School update|url=http://www.richmondbridgeprimary.co.uk/richmond-bridge-school-update/|website=Richmond Bridge Primary|publisher=Bellevue Place Education trust|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref>

The location of the 'Deer Park' school has also led to local controversy and opposition from some local residents who question the suitability of the chosen site. It is located on a busy junction of the A316 at Manor Circus, on a red route, an arterial road from the M3 into London. As a result there are considerable issues with safety, access, traffic, pollution, noise and privacy. The building planning application is anticipated in June and these matters will be considered.<ref>http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/11875319.Deer_Park_School_site_a__rotten_idea___meeting_hears/</ref>

An on line and paper based petition has been created on Change.org asking Bellevue, the Council and the Department of Education to find a better location. The petition on line has nearly 100 signatures (April 2015), with paper versions attracting similar numbers.<ref>https://www.change.org/p/richmond-upon-thames-council-bellevue-place-educational-trust-uk-department-for-education-find-a-different-location-for-the-new-deer-park-primary-school-in-richmond-the-proposed-site-on-the-busy-a316-at-manor-circus-is-unsuitable-due-to-heavy-traffic?just_created=true</ref>

Local residents have been supported in having their views heard by local MP Zac Goldsmith, and a campaign by the local green party.<ref>http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/12873141.Green_Party_attacks_plans_for_free_school_on_A316/?ref=mr</ref>

This campaign is similar to that being run in Maidenhead by a group called 'Save Braywick Park'<ref>http://www.savebraywickpark.org</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Education companies of the United Kingdom]]

IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Bellevue Education