METHODIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS TRUST
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the group reported a surplus of £1.6m for the year, with total income of £118.2m and net assets of £76.9m. However, the trustees note significant sector-wide economic headwinds, including VAT on school fees and reduced business rate relief, and anticipate further falls in pupil numbers. The group holds unrestricted reserves of £73.3m, all of which are held in property assets, while maintaining a revolving credit facility to manage cash flow.
What the accounts disclose
“Kent College Canterbury Governor Gerard MacMahon was paid £13,714 (2024: £4,023) for time spent overseas on school business. These arrangements were approved by the trustees on the basis of providing value to the charity.” — page 55
“During 2025 there were 21 Key Management Personnel (KMP) who had close family members employed at a MIST school. Salaries paid to spouses and children totalled £745,000” — page 55
“Kent College Canterbury Governor Gerard MacMahon was paid £13,714 (2024: £4,023) for time spent overseas on school business. These arrangements were approved by the trustees on the basis of providing value to the charity.” — page 55
“During 2025 there were 21 Key Management Personnel (KMP) who had close family members employed at a MIST school. Salaries paid to spouses and children totalled £745,000” — page 55
“A full actuarial valuation for the TPTGP was carried out at 30 September 2020. This valuation showed total scheme assets of £800,300,000, total scheme liabilities of £831,900,000, and therefore, a deficit of £31,600,000.” — page 53
“MIST is the sole shareholder of eight trading subsidiaries, with a separate trading subsidiary being used for the non-primary purpose trading conducted by eight of the nine Trust Schools.” — page 33
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (12/06/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (07/08/2018)
- Received assets from another charity (03/07/2018)
- Received assets from another charity (03/07/2018)
- Received assets from another charity (03/07/2018)
- Received assets from another charity (03/07/2018)
Trustees
- IAN MCCAIGchair
- Adam Proctor
- Bernasia Halikowa
- Christina Sturge
- Fiona Bridget Mynors
- Isabel Nisbet
- John Jefferson
- Matthew Bartlett
- Rev Mark Wakelin
- Rev Stephen Burgess
- STEPHEN WINFIELD HOLLIDAY
- Simon Small
- Tim Emmett
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £118.2m | £116.7m |
| 31/08/2024 | £117.0m | £120.1m |
| 31/08/2023 | £111.0m | £111.0m |
| 31/08/2022 | £108.6m | £109.3m |
| 31/08/2021 | £97.7m | £97.6m |
Common questions
Is METHODIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS TRUST financially healthy?
The accounts state that the group reported a surplus of £1.6m for the year, with total income of £118.2m and net assets of £76.9m. However, the trustees note significant sector-wide economic headwinds, including VAT on school fees and reduced business rate relief, and anticipate further falls in pupil numbers. The group holds unrestricted reserves of £73.3m, all of which are held in property assets, while maintaining a revolving credit facility to manage cash flow. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe UK LLP.