Education company’s growing workforce prompts move to larger premises
A GROWING education company which created 17 new jobs in 2014 has moved into larger premises this month.
Barnsley-based Cornerstones Education supplies creative curriculum teaching and learning materials to primary schools across England and Wales.
Growing demand for its products saw its turnover more than double and its customer list lengthen from 500 to 1,100 schools last year. This prompted the company to almost double its number of staff too – it now employs 36 people, including one apprentice, with three former apprentices now on full-time contracts.
The education specialist has now moved into larger premises at Fields End Business Park, Goldthorpe, to accommodate rapid expansion. The new 4,566 sq ft office building is twice as large as their former offices on the same estate.
Managing director Simon Hickton said: “We have seen phenomenal growth in the last year and feel a lot of that has been a direct result of us getting our products right and responding very quickly to the new demands of the national curriculum for primary schools in 2014.
“We are passionate about spreading our creative learning philosophy and have designed a very flexible package of creative curriculum materials and online resources to help teachers plan and deliver a bespoke curriculum that suits their school. We look forward to working with many more in 2015.”
Cornerstones Education was established in 2010 by three directors each with 20 years’ experience in the teaching profession behind them – Simon, Melanie Moore and Graham Bell. They appointed their first member of staff in March 2012 and since then have grown exponentially.
Recent appointments include three curriculum specialists, two schools consultants and a customer services manager.
Mr Hickton said: “We have always invested in strengthening our team to meet growing demand and our growth is all down to the hard work, commitment and vision of our fantastic workforce.”
As well as its curriculum package of 70 projects, Cornerstones also produces a growing range of teaching and learning resources that focus on reading and scientific investigation. The company launched an innovative multi-media online hub last year to provide teachers with easy access to electronic support materials.
Cornerstones supplies schools as far afield as Kent, Coventry and Cumbria, including more than 100 in Yorkshire. It sells to over 30% of primary schools in Wales and secured its first international sale to a school in Cyprus last year.
