v3.25.4
Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Reporting Information (Detail) - GBP (£)
£ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales £ 3,577 £ 3,552 £ 3,674
Adjusted operating profit 614 600 573
Cost of major reorganisation 0 2 0
Product development impairment (87) 0 0
Property charges 25 0 (11)
Intangible charges (42) (41) (48)
UK Pension discretionary increases 0 (13) 0
Other net gains and losses (3) (7) (16)
Operating profit 507 541 498
Finance costs (98) (112) (81)
Finance income 48 81 76
Profit before tax 457 510 493
Income tax (121) (75) (113)
Profit for the year 336 435 380
Assessment & Qualifications [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 1,604 1,591 1,559
Assessment & Qualifications [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 1,604 1,591 1,559
Adjusted operating profit 361 368 350
Virtual Learning [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 511 489 616
Virtual Learning [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 511 489 616
Adjusted operating profit 81 66 76
English Language Learning [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 405 420 415
English Language Learning [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 405 420 415
Adjusted operating profit 50 50 47
Enterprise Learning & Skills [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 282 271 269
Enterprise Learning & Skills [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales [1] 282 271 269
Adjusted operating profit [1] 29 20 6
Higher Education [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 775 781 806
Higher Education [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales [1] 775 781 806
Adjusted operating profit [1] 93 96 96
Strategic Review [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 0 0 9
Strategic Review [member] | Operating segments [member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]      
Sales 0 0 9
Adjusted operating profit £ 0 £ 0 £ (2)
[1] Comparative amounts have been restated to reflect the move between operating segments.