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PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST

Registered charity 1084718 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · Wikidata: Q7245837 · Wikipedia

PET supports prisoners to transform their lives through learning. We do this by providing distance learning courses, advice and support in subjects and levels not available in prisons. PET also promotes and argues the case for prisoner education, supports learning communities for prisoners and ex-prisoners, and carries out research informed by prisoner learners, to improve policies and practice.

Objects

THE CHARITY'S OBJECTS ARE TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF PERSONS WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN IN CUSTODY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE CHANNEL ISLANDS OR THE ISLE OF MAN TOGETHER REFERRED TO HEREAFTER IN THIS MEMORANDUM AS THE UNITED KINGDOM BY:I) PROVIDING FUNDING TOWARDS THE COST OF SUITABLE EDUCATIONAL COURSES AND TRAINING, IN PARTICULAR DISTANCE LEARNING, FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY IN A PRISON OR SIMILAR INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, OR WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM CUSTODY IN SUCH PRISON OR SIMILAR INSTITUTION, WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED TO THE TRUSTEES A SUFFICIENT NEED FOR SUCH A COURSE AND WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ALL OR PART OF THE COST THEREOF;II) PROVIDING SUITABLE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS TO PURSUE A COURSE OR TRAINING APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES;III) PROVIDING TO ANYONE IN CUSTODY OR WHO HAS BEEN IN CUSTODY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PAY FOR THE SAME, SUITABLE ART AND CRAFT MATERIALS

Area of benefit: NOT DEFINED

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · website · Get email alerts

Registered contact address: Lambeth, London, England (from the postcode on the register)

Latest income
£2.3m
Latest spending
£2.0m
Registered
2001
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus for the year, with total income of £2.33m and unrestricted reserves of £1.14m, which significantly exceed the trustees' stated target of £750,000. The trustees confirm that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, citing sufficient funds and a strong income pipeline to sustain operations for at least 12 months. The auditor's report confirms that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that no material uncertainties regarding going concern were identified.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: £110,000 - £120,000 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £70k)
“One employee received employee benefits (including employer’s National Insurance contributions and employer’s pension contributions) in the range of £110,000 - £120,000 and three received employee benefits in the range of £64,000 - £74,000.” — page 46
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 4
“One employee received employee benefits (including employer’s National Insurance contributions and employer’s pension contributions) in the range of £110,000 - £120,000 and three received employee benefits in the range of £64,000 - £74,000.” — page 46
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: charitable trusts and corporate institutions (51% of income)
“In 2025 PET received £1,196,363 from charitable trusts and corporate institutions (2024: £940,999); £604,140 from government sources (2024: £822,896) of which £492,045 was government grants; £259,889 from individuals, including Gift Aid and legacies (2024: £275,286); £175,078 of income from other charitable activities (2024: £172,589); £8,760 from fundraising events (2024: £2,694); £16,323 from investment income (2024: £17,806); and £nil income from donated goods and services (2024: £nil).” — page 21
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustees received reimbursement of travel expenses
“Trustees received reimbursement of travel expenses to attend trustee meetings of £1,357 (2024: £1,787).”
“The charity received £1,665 in donations on usual terms from its trustees, key management personnel, their close family members and entities over which they have significant interest or effective control during the period (2024: £1,507).” — page 47
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Donations received from trustees and key management personnel
“Trustees received reimbursement of travel expenses to attend trustee meetings of £1,357 (2024: £1,787).”
“The charity received £1,665 in donations on usual terms from its trustees, key management personnel, their close family members and entities over which they have significant interest or effective control during the period (2024: £1,507).” — page 47
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Price Bailey LLP. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Year-over-year changes

Comparing this charity’s FY2024 and FY2025 accounts as analysed by this site.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)

Answers and figures the charity gave in Part A of its annual return to the Charity Commission. They are self-declared: not verified by the Commission or by this site. Only positive answers and figures are listed; items not listed are simply not shown.

Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025

  • Volunteers: 1
  • Government income: £604,140 — contracts £112,095 (1), grants £492,045 (1); 26% of the £2,328,414 total gross income on the same return
  • Employees paid over £60,000: 4 (£60,001–£70,000: 1; £70,001–£80,000: 2; £110,001–£120,000: 1)
  • Grant-making is its main activity

Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024

  • Volunteers: 1
  • Government income: £822,896 — contracts £394,052 (1), grants £428,844 (2); 36% of the £2,285,371 total gross income on the same return
  • Employees paid over £60,000: 2 (£60,001–£70,000: 1; £90,001–£100,000: 1)
  • Grant-making is its main activity

Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023

  • Volunteers: 1
  • Government income: £443,511 — contracts £33,568 (1), grants £409,943 (2); 27% of the £1,631,356 total gross income on the same return
  • Employees paid over £60,000: 3 (£60,001–£70,000: 2; £100,001–£110,000: 1)
  • Grant-making is its main activity

Source: this charity’s annual returns on the Charity Commission register.

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — Prisoners' Education Trust (matched by registered charity number).

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)

Total income
£2.3m
Total spending
£2.0m
Cost of raising funds
£311k
Reserves (reported)
£1.1m
Employees
19

Reported reserves equal ~6.7 months of spending — above the median for charities its size (median 4.7 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 13.3% of total income — above the median for charities its size (5.3%) (benchmarks).

Register events

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2025£2.3m£2.0m
31/12/2024£2.3m£1.9m
31/12/2023£1.6m£1.6m
31/12/2022£1.4m£1.8m
31/12/2021£1.3m£1.7m

Common questions

Is PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus for the year, with total income of £2.33m and unrestricted reserves of £1.14m, which significantly exceed the trustees' stated target of £750,000. The trustees confirm that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, citing sufficient funds and a strong income pipeline to sustain operations for at least 12 months. The auditor's report confirms that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that no material uncertainties regarding going concern were identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Price Bailey LLP.

What does the highest-paid employee of PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST earn?

Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £110,000 - £120,000 band, and 4 employees earned over £60,000.

Who funds PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST?

Funders whose own accounts filings name PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST as a grant recipient include GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION, THE AURUM CHARITABLE TRUST, THE DULVERTON TRUST, PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST, THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUST.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

FunderYearAmountPurpose (as stated by the funder)
GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATIONFY2024£200kWelfare
THE AURUM CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2021£120kAdvance Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education (Advance)
THE DULVERTON TRUSTFY2023£105kCore funding for PET
PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2023£103k
THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2023Unverified read£82kAdvancement of education
THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2025£80k
Jill and Norman Franklin TrustFY2021£68kDesistance from crime / Prisoners Education
MOONDANCE FOUNDATIONFY2023£60k
THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2022£60k
THE COLYER-FERGUSSON CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2022£55k
THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2023£50k
THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2022£50k
THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATIONFY2023£35k
Army Benevolent FundFY2026£35kEmployment and Training
Jill and Norman Franklin TrustFY2023£34kMental Health
The Goldsmiths' FoundationFY2023£33kPrisoner Resettlement
Jill and Norman Franklin TrustFY2025£30kDesistance
Jill and Norman Franklin TrustFY2026£26kDesistance
BANHAM FOUNDATION LIMITEDFY2022Unverified read£26kEducation
NORTHERN CONSORTIUMFY2025£25kbenefitting 35 learners in North West Prisons to engage with learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills and improve their prospects upon relea
DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUNDFY2023£25kCore costs
THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2021£25k
THE BROMLEY TRUSTFY2024£25kPrison Reform
THE BROOK TRUSTFY2023£25k
DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUNDFY2022£25kCore costs for distance learning and support
DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUNDFY2024£25kCore costs of distance learning and support
THE BROOK TRUSTFY2021£25k
MICHAEL AND SHIRLEY HUNT CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2023£25kgrant towards advice line
THE RODDICK FOUNDATIONFY2023£22kCore costs and distance learning courses
THE RODDICK FOUNDATIONFY2022£20k
MOONDANCE FOUNDATIONFY2021£20kEducation
THE RODDICK FOUNDATIONFY2024£20k
SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS CIOFY2023£20ktoward core costs
THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATIONFY2022£20k
Army Benevolent FundFY2024£20kEmployment and Training
THE BROOK TRUSTFY2025£20k
Army Benevolent FundFY2023£20kEmployment and Training
THE BROOK TRUSTFY2022£20k
THE TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATIONFY2025£20k
THE BROMLEY TRUSTFY2023£20kPrison Reform
NORTHERN CONSORTIUMFY2024£20kDistance learning courses for prisoners in the North of England
Army Benevolent FundFY2025£18kEmployment and Training
THE COLYER-FERGUSSON CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2023£17k
THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2025£15kAdvancement of education
The Portal TrustFY2025£15kPromoting education opportunities in prison for young people from Inner London
THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2024£15kAdvancement of education
THE 29TH MAY 1961 CHARITYFY2022£12kcore costs of an organisation providing education and training opportunities for prisoners
Jill and Norman Franklin TrustFY2024£12kDesistance
THE EVAN CORNISH FOUNDATIONFY2023£10k
THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2022£10k

Grants marked “Unverified read” were flagged by automated checks as possibly misread from the funder’s filed accounts. They are listed, but left out of the totals, counts and funder relationships this site computes.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
UK government01/04/2023£410kSteps to Success (England)
The National Lottery Community Fund27/03/2023£444kLived experience improving prison education
A B Charitable Trust08/10/2020£10kA grant to Prisoners Education Trust
A B Charitable Trust27/06/2019£10kA grant to Prisoners Education Trust
UK government01/04/2019£18kHMPPS - Steps to Success (Wales)
UK government01/04/2019£410kHMPPS - Steps to Success (PET)
UK government01/04/2018£410kSteps to Success
Barrow Cadbury Trust08/07/2017£66kPrison education for young adults: fair and effective
A B Charitable Trust21/01/2014£10kTo provide educational opportunities to prisoners
The National Lottery Community Fund05/09/2013£5kRedevelopment of PET's website to make it informative
UK government—£410kSteps to Success - administration and purchase of distance-learning courses for prisoners in custody

Funders of similar charities

Funders whose accounts show grants to charities similar to this one (and no recorded grant to this charity) — a starting list for fundraisers.

FunderSimilar charities fundedAmount to them
The Ethos Foundation1£90k
NESTA1£85k
THE ACCESS FOUNDATION1£53k
THE WILSON FOUNDATION1£46k
THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION1£20k
Q CHARITABLE TRUST1£12k
CHK Foundation1£10k
THE JEAN SAINSBURY ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST1£3k

Charities like this

Semantically similar by activities and financial character, from our analysed corpus. Compare with PETA LIMITED.

Side by side with its peers

CharityIncomeTop pay bandStaff >£60kReserves vs policyFundraising costGoing concern
PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST£2.3m£110,000 - £120,0004unclear—no doubt
PETA LIMITED FY2025£4.4m——unclear—no doubt
PROGRESS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FY2025£180k£60,001 - £70,0001unclear—no doubt
PRIME EDUCATION FOUNDATION FY2025£558k—0within—no doubt
THE PET CHARITY FY2025£27k—0above—no doubt
LONGTOWN OUTDOOR LEARNING TRUST FY2025£776k—0above—no doubt

Each row is that charity’s latest analysed filing; every value is quote-backed on its own page.