THE SHEFFIELD MUSIC SCHOOL
Sheffield Music school, which is held every Saturday morning, aims to offer quality music making in a fun, friendly and nurturing environment. We support pupils from Grade 1 to post Grade 8 through their individual musical journeys and pride ourselves in offering a bespoke programme of musical experiences. A number of bursaries are available.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported a net increase in funds of £18,928, with total income rising substantially to £262,006 compared to the previous year. Unrestricted reserves stood at £16,657, which is below the stated policy target of £3,000 in free reserves for specific liabilities, although the trustees note the charity ended with a healthy current account balance and experienced no cashflow difficulties.
What the accounts disclose
“The charity's policy is to maintain £3,000 in free reserves to cover outstanding venue hire and essential liabilities in the event of closure.” — page 6
“Mr S Blakeley, one of the trustees, is a director of Mary Street Studio Ltd trading as Mary Street Live. The Sheffield Music School rents space from Mary Street Live with payments totalling £3,900 made in the year (2024: £nil).” — page 21
Trustees
- Adam McCulloch
- Bob Cuff
- Emma Elizabeth Margaret Ford
- Katherine Grigsby
- PETER JOHN BROOKS
- Rose Wilcox
- Stephen Blakeley
- Tessa Esther Sawyer
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £262k | £243k |
| 31/08/2024 | £146k | £127k |
| 31/08/2023 | £89k | £88k |
| 31/08/2022 | £53k | £49k |
| 31/08/2021 | £28k | £28k |
Common questions
Is THE SHEFFIELD MUSIC SCHOOL financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported a net increase in funds of £18,928, with total income rising substantially to £262,006 compared to the previous year. Unrestricted reserves stood at £16,657, which is below the stated policy target of £3,000 in free reserves for specific liabilities, although the trustees note the charity ended with a healthy current account balance and experienced no cashflow difficulties. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE SHEFFIELD MUSIC SCHOOL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE SHEFFIELD MUSIC SCHOOL as a grant recipient include THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC | FY2024 | £21k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.6m |
| THE CHARLES WOLFSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £900k |
| THE PATRICIA AND DONALD SHEPHERD CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £40k |
| THE GEOFFREY AND PAULINE MARTIN TRUST | 1 | £32k |
| ED DE NUNZIO CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| THE ALBERT AND EUGENIE FROST MUSIC TRUST CIO | 1 | £30k |
| THE HARDING TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| EDWARDS FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £22k |
Charities like this
- THE MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
- SHEFFIELD GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXHIBITION FOUNDATION
- DORSET RURAL MUSIC SCHOOL, LIMITED
- THE MUSIC IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRUST
- RICHARD SHEPHARD MUSIC FOUNDATION
- EARLY MUSIC AS EDUCATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SHEFFIELD MUSIC SCHOOL | £262k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | £608k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SHEFFIELD GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXHIBITION FOUNDATION | £185k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DORSET RURAL MUSIC SCHOOL, LIMITED | £185k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MUSIC IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRUST | £1.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| RICHARD SHEPHARD MUSIC FOUNDATION | £671k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |