Educational support services

SIC 85600Section P: Education|Data verified: 2026-04-17
20,532Active Companies
Section P: Education
Division 85
SIC 85600

What is SIC Code 85600?

SIC code 85600 covers educational support services activities in the UK, with 20,532 active companies currently registered. This represents a significant segment of UK business activity. It falls under Section P (Education) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Educational support services industry page.

20,532
Active
59
Dissolved
22,733
Total
5.8y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 90% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 59 of 22,733 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age of 5.8 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic sector, with many businesses having been established in recent years. Growth has been exceptional recently: 63% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 31%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. The leading locations for this sector are LONDON (4,994), BIRMINGHAM (620), MANCHESTER (495), which together account for 30% of active companies.

Formation by Decade
31%
63%
Pre-1990: 104
1990s: 229
2000s: 935
2010s: 6,277
2020s: 12,987

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 85600

What does SIC code 85600 mean?

SIC code 85600 stands for "Educational support services" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section P — Education. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 85600?

There are currently 20,532 active companies registered under SIC code 85600 in the UK, out of 22,733 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 90%, meaning 10% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 85600 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for educational support services companies (SIC 85600) are: LONDON (4,994), BIRMINGHAM (620), MANCHESTER (495), NOTTINGHAM (235), BRISTOL (208). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the educational support services sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 63% of currently active SIC 85600 companies were formed since 2020, and 31% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for educational support services services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 85600?

Companies classified under SIC 85600 have an average age of 5.8 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include TEACH FIRST, FALMOUTH EXETER PLUS, THE TOGETHER TRUST.

What SIC codes are similar to 85600?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 85590 (Other education n.e.c.), 85510 (Sports and recreation education), 85100 (Pre-primary education), 85520 (Cultural education). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 85600?

You can search for companies with SIC code 85600 (Educational support services) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 85600

Search, filter, and analyse 20,532 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.