RATCLIFFE COLLEGE
The charity seeks to provide an education for the children in the spirit of the Gospel and the traditions of the Roman Catholic faith. It seeks to develop the natural and spiritual talents of each child to the best of his or hers ability. Although it is a Roman Catholic school, it welcomes children from other faiths where it is felt that they can benefit from the ideals and environment provided.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a small net movement in funds of £48k surplus for the year, supported by investment gains, despite a slight operating deficit. The trustees confirm that the group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future with no material uncertainties regarding going concern. However, the charity acknowledges that its free reserves are currently negative relative to its policy target, though it maintains a strong cash balance.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £140,001 - £150,000 1”
“The Group’s reserves policy aims to ensure that there are adequate resources available to meet the financial requirements of the Group and to have free reserves of at least half a term’s expenditure. For 2024-25 this would have required reserves of £2,600,763. This is reviewed on an annual basis and the College acknowledges that current reserves are negative” — page 12
“During the year a donation of £171,679 (2024: £171,679) was paid to The Institute of Charity (IOC). The College also paid a contribution towards costs in relation to Father President during the year and this totalled £30,000 (2024: £30,000). The College made no purchases from the IOC in the year (2024: £Nil). As at 31 August 2024 the IOC owed Ratcliffe College £66,311 in respect of expenses incurred on their behalf. Further to this, Ratcliffe College loaned amounts totalling £5,358 to assist with the fixed costs Grace Dieu was still liable for following the cessation of its trade in summer 2020. A payment of £30,000 was further remitted to IOC in September 2023 and an additional payment of £24,419 remitted to IOC in February 2025. In March 2025, it was agreed that the balance on account of £62,327 would be written off by the College to £Nil. A donation under Gift Aid of £7,849 was made to Ratcliffe College by Ratcliffe Enterprises Limited (2024: £28,211) and income of £26,769 (2024: £18,216) was received by Ratcliffe College in respect of various expense recharges. £86,525 (2024: £68,329) was paid to Ratcliffe Enterprises Limited for boarders commission. At the year end £1,095 was due to Ratcliffe College from Ratcliffe Enterprises Limited. Ratcliffe College contributed to the cost of the Rosmini Centre and Church for the IOC, which are typically occupied by the Priests from the IOC. The total contribution paid in the year was £43,561 (2024: £42,781). Archiving costs are incurred as the Priests look after and maintain old records for the school. These are historic costs incurred year-on-year and are authorised in line with normal transactions. During the year there was a number of transactions with the Ratcliffian Association for payroll costs which left a year end debtor of £15,716 (2024: £NIL). 4 Governors (2024: 3 Governors) have children / grand children who attended the school in the year. All Governors paid the same fees as other parents / grandparents.” — page 56
“The Charity has one wholly-owned subsidiary, which carries out non-charitable activities for the Charity. Ratcliffe Enterprises Limited provides catering and conference facilities for organisations and individuals using the facilities of Ratcliffe College.” — page 12
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: RATCLIFFE ENTERPRISES LIMITED Companies House 02707219
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 05900743
- Turnover: £131k
- Profit before tax: £22k
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £8k
- Note 6 discloses amounts owed to group undertakings of £1,095 (2024: £20,756).
“No provision is included for any potential tax liability arising on the company's profits for the year because the directors propose that a Gift aid donation to the parent charity will be paid within nine months of the balance sheet date at an amount sufficient to reduce any such potential tax liability to nil.”
Company officers (Companies House)
- KEWELL, Margaret on trustee list
- FUSE, Chris, Fr not on trustee list
- THOMAS, Tom, Father on trustee list
- FURLONG, Anthony Joseph, Father on trustee list
- SAINTER, Philip Anthony, Father not on trustee list
- INGLE, Sally Victoria
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (15/08/2022)
Trustees
- REVEREND FATHER TOM THOMASchair
- Margaret Kewell
- RICHARD WILLIAM GAMBLE
- Rev Aji Alphonse
- Rev Anthony Furlong
- Rev Christopher John Fuse
- Rev PHILIP ANTHONY SAINTER FR
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £17.4m | £17.4m |
| 31/08/2024 | £16.7m | £16.6m |
| 31/08/2023 | £15.3m | £15.4m |
| 31/08/2022 | £13.7m | £13.4m |
| 31/08/2021 | £12.7m | £12.9m |
Common questions
Is RATCLIFFE COLLEGE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a small net movement in funds of £48k surplus for the year, supported by investment gains, despite a slight operating deficit. The trustees confirm that the group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future with no material uncertainties regarding going concern. However, the charity acknowledges that its free reserves are currently negative relative to its policy target, though it maintains a strong cash balance. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Cooper Parry Group Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of RATCLIFFE COLLEGE earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £140,001 - £150,000 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE STONYHURST FOUNDATION | 1 | £4.4m |
| SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE | 1 | £330k |
| WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL FUND | 1 | £225k |
| THE TOMLINSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £225k |
| THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION | 1 | £35k |
| THE JOHN SLATER FOUNDATION | 1 | £26k |
| The Brindle Foundation | 1 | £14k |
| DAVID FORBES-NIXON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £11k |
Charities like this
- ST GEORGE'S WEYBRIDGE
- THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TRUST
- WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL
- CLIFTON DIOCESE
- CLIFTON COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT TRUST
- STONYHURST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RATCLIFFE COLLEGE | £17.4m | £140,001 - £150,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| ST GEORGE'S WEYBRIDGE | £35.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TRUST | £9.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL | £7.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CLIFTON DIOCESE | £15.0m | £90,001 - £100,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CLIFTON COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT TRUST | £171k | — | 0 | below | 0.1% | no doubt |