Customer Story: The Lighthouse Federation

• One centralised platform – reducing duplication and complexity
• 30% cost savings – reinvested directly into pupil support
• Premier Customer Success Plan – a trusted advisor, not just a helpdesk
• Seamless integration – finance, HR and payroll working together
• Empowered staff – less admin, fewer errors, faster onboarding
• Ready to scale – systems and support aligned to future growth

About the Trust

Based in Walsall, West Midlands, The Lighthouse Federation is a family of nine primary schools supporting over 3,000 pupils and 600 staff. Led by Chief Operating Officer Paul Drew, the federation has grown steadily by supporting schools in need of additional leadership and curriculum strength. Now in the process of converting to a full Multi-Academy Trust, The Lighthouse Federation is setting out to scale with strategic precision—and the right systems to match.

The challenge

Like many growing school groups, The Lighthouse Federation had a clear mission—but fragmented systems were holding it back. Each school operated independently, with its own suppliers, contracts, and admin processes. There was no central view of spend, no unified system for financial control, and operational silos made collaboration difficult.

“We were operating like a trust, but without the infrastructure,” says Paul Drew. “The need for consistency, oversight and efficiency across our nine schools became more and more urgent as we grew.”

The Federation knew it needed more than a finance package—it needed a trusted platform to centralise operations, enable smarter decisions, and free up time and budget for what really matters: improving outcomes for pupils.

The solution

After exploring the market, Paul and his team chose the Access Education Freedom Package—a single contract giving the trust access to a complete suite of tools for finance, HR, payroll, budgeting, and more. Crucially, they also invested in the Premier Customer Success Plan, ensuring ongoing strategic support from Access Education experts.

“We didn’t want a patchwork of systems—we wanted a one-stop shop. Access Education offered exactly what we needed: a unified platform, a clear roadmap, and a team that feels like an extension of our own.”

The Freedom package

For The Lighthouse Federation, choosing Access Education was about more than software—it was about finding a smarter, simpler way to run a growing trust.

Paul and his team selected the Access Education Freedom Package to bring all their key operational systems—finance, HR & payroll, budgeting and more—into one integrated platform. The goal was clear: reduce complexity, improve consistency, and empower both central teams and schools to work more efficiently, with greater impact.

“Access offered the full package,” Paul explains. “We didn’t want to be managing different suppliers and stitching systems together. We needed one contract, one platform, and one trusted partner.”

That unified approach is already paying off:

Efficiencies and cost savings

By centralising procurement and aligning operations, the Federation has secured savings of up to 30% across key areas—from classroom resources to major contracts. These savings are now being reinvested directly into teaching, supporting smaller groups and targeted interventions where pupils need them most.

Streamlined workflows

With all systems built to work together, day-to-day processes are smoother and faster. Staff no longer need to re-enter data between platforms or juggle multiple logins. The consistent look and feel across finance, HR, and payroll makes onboarding quicker and reduces the risk of error.

A better experience for staff

The Access suite is designed to work for schools. It’s intuitive, easy to navigate, and requires less training—freeing up time and reducing pressure on busy admin teams. The consistency of the system has also helped the trust build a more agile and sustainable staffing model, without compromising on quality. Paul says:

“Our staff love it. They feel supported, not overwhelmed. And we know the system is built to grow with us.”

A strategic partnership: Premier Customer Success Plan

From day one, The Lighthouse Federation knew they didn’t just want software—they wanted guidance. That’s why they chose the Premier Customer Success Plan as part of their Freedom Package.

“The reason we upgraded to the Premier Customer Success Plan was simple: we wanted to feel fully supported as we transitioned to a MAT,” Paul explains. “We’re learning new systems, processes, and ways of working. Having that additional layer of expertise gives us reassurance and confidence.”

With the plan, the trust benefits from:

• A dedicated Customer Success Manager who acts as a consistent point of contact and strategic sounding board
• Proactive, personalised support tailored to the Federation’s structure, goals, and pace of growth
• Insights from other trusts—shared learnings, best practice, and practical advice from someone working with MATs every day
• Operational continuity—no need to explain context every time, because Access already understands their world
• Faster resolutions—queries are typically resolved the same day, with no being passed around between teams

“Our Customer Success Manager genuinely feels like part of our central leadership team,” Paul says. “They don’t just help us fix problems—they bring ideas, examples, and insights we wouldn’t have seen on our own.”

The plan also allows the Federation to maintain a strong connection with the wider Access team, including the original sales lead—ensuring that communication remains personal and aligned long after the contract is signed.

Whether you're a growing trust, a newly formed MAT, or a federation ready to scale — Access Education gives you the tools and partnership to run smarter, act faster, and focus on what really matters: delivering excellence for every child.