ABSOLUTE RETURN FOR KIDS (ARK)
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the group reported a net surplus of £4.8m for the year, driven largely by a £4.3m revaluation gain on its investment property, resulting in total group reserves increasing to £42.5m. The trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £2.7m are sufficient to cover core costs for the coming year, exceeding the stated policy target of six months' expenditure. The charity maintains adequate liquidity and has no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The appropriate level of free reserves is set at an amount sufficient to cover unfunded expenditure from unrestricted funds for a minimum period of six months in the event of a significant fall in income. The value of six months’ core (unrestricted) operating expenditure approximates to £1.3m with the year-end unrestricted reserves for costs standing at £2.7m (2023/24 – £2.0m).” — page 14
“During the year, £1,238k of grants were declared by Ark in support of Ark Schools’ programmes (2023/24 - £3,633k). In addition, £16k of grants were declared by Ark in support of Ark Schools’ academies (2023/24 - £66k). The closing grant creditor due to Ark Schools from Ark was £10,149k (2023/24 – £15,656k) of which £7,547k (2023/24 - £8,758k) was due within one year.” — page 62
“Ark Group received £316k fee rebates from MW Eureka Fund for its core operations and EdCity (2023/24 - £124k). This was 100% of the fee charged for managing investments. The carrying value of investments in the MW Eureka Fund at the balance sheet date of 31 August 2025 was £5.5m (2023/24 – £8.2m).” — page 63
“During the year, £1,238k of grants were declared by Ark in support of Ark Schools’ programmes (2023/24 - £3,633k). In addition, £16k of grants were declared by Ark in support of Ark Schools’ academies (2023/24 - £66k). The closing grant creditor due to Ark Schools from Ark was £10,149k (2023/24 – £15,656k) of which £7,547k (2023/24 - £8,758k) was due within one year.” — page 62
“Ark Group received £316k fee rebates from MW Eureka Fund for its core operations and EdCity (2023/24 - £124k). This was 100% of the fee charged for managing investments. The carrying value of investments in the MW Eureka Fund at the balance sheet date of 31 August 2025 was £5.5m (2023/24 – £8.2m).” — page 63
What the charity says about itself (2025)
“In 2025, 78 percent of students met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 62 percent nationally.”
“Ark serves over 30,000 students across 39 schools in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth.”
“Eighty-five percent of our Year 13s progressed to university, more than twice the national average of 37 percent in 2024.”
“Since opening in 2020, Ark Start has provided more than 700 children with a quality early years experience so they can leave our nurseries ready for their next stage.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Lucy Heller — Chief Executive
- Rose Dixon — Director of Strategy
- Laurie Grist — Director of Projects
- Katie Oliver — Director of Ventures
- Jacqueline Russell — Chief Finance Officer
- Venessa Willms OBE — Managing Director, Ark Schools
- Jerry Collins — Director of Education, Ark Schools
- Lisa Hawker — Director of Operations, Ark Schools
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- Ian Gerald Patrick Wacechair
- Anthony Peter Clake
- LORD STANLEY FINK
- SIR PAUL RODERICK CLUCAS MARSHALL
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £6.4m | £7.5m |
| 31/08/2024 | £31.0m | £32.4m |
| 31/08/2023 | £25.4m | £28.7m |
| 31/08/2022 | £24.4m | £24.1m |
| 31/08/2021 | £35.0m | £25.3m |
Common questions
Is ABSOLUTE RETURN FOR KIDS (ARK) financially healthy?
The accounts state that the group reported a net surplus of £4.8m for the year, driven largely by a £4.3m revaluation gain on its investment property, resulting in total group reserves increasing to £42.5m. The trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £2.7m are sufficient to cover core costs for the coming year, exceeding the stated policy target of six months' expenditure. The charity maintains adequate liquidity and has no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Buzzacott Audit LLP.
Who funds ABSOLUTE RETURN FOR KIDS (ARK)?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ABSOLUTE RETURN FOR KIDS (ARK) as a grant recipient include Q CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Q CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £10k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| GREENHAM TRUST LTD | 1 | £3.3m |
| THE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.3m |
| REUBEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £230k |
| THE EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN AND LEONORA CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | 1 | £53k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £45k |
| THE HISCOX FOUNDATION | 1 | £33k |
| FISHMONGERS' COMPANY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| CHK Foundation | 1 | £20k |