EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
The charitable objectives of the school are to promote and provide residential and non-residential schools for the advancement of education and the advancement of religion in accordance with the practices of the Church of England for the benefit of the public and of the choristers of Exeter Cathedral by providing facilities for their education.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £315,636 for the year, resulting in a decline in total funds from £567,086 to £251,450. The trustees note that the level of deficit must be reduced to ensure sustainability, citing challenges such as declining pupil numbers and upcoming cost increases. However, the trustees and auditors confirm the school remains a going concern based on reviewed budgets and cash flow forecasts.
What the accounts disclose
“The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Governors have reviewed and considered relevant information, including annual budgets, pupil number and cash flow forecasts, in reaching this position. They continue to keep the position under close review, given the risks identified above.” — page 7
“In April 2023 the School received an unannounced Short Visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, following a matter of procedure that was incorrectly handled by a governor. The inspectors consequently concluded that the School did not meet all of the regulatory standards.” — page 10
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2023) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2024).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- James Featherstone — Headmaster
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (08/02/2017)
- Received assets from another charity (08/02/2017)
Trustees
- Charles Esmond Beer
- Charles Kislingbury
- James Montagu Beale
- Jennifer Ellis
- Michael Totterdell Prof
- NEIL RICHARD POCKETT
- Nigel Sean Mitchell
- Rev JAMES MUSTARD
- THE VERY REVD JONATHAN GREENER
- TIMOTHY RICHARD CANNELL
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | — | — |
| 31/08/2024 | £2.7m | £3.0m |
| 31/08/2023 | £3.0m | £3.2m |
| 31/08/2022 | £2.9m | £2.8m |
| 31/08/2021 | £2.5m | £2.5m |
Common questions
Is EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £315,636 for the year, resulting in a decline in total funds from £567,086 to £251,450. The trustees note that the level of deficit must be reduced to ensure sustainability, citing challenges such as declining pupil numbers and upcoming cost increases. However, the trustees and auditors confirm the school remains a going concern based on reviewed budgets and cash flow forecasts. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Gravita Audit Western Limited.
Who funds EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL as a grant recipient include VISCOUNT AMORY'S CHARITABLE TRUST, THE OUSELEY CHURCH MUSIC TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISCOUNT AMORY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £42k | Educational |
| VISCOUNT AMORY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £28k | Educational |
| VISCOUNT AMORY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £12k | Educational |
| VISCOUNT AMORY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £9k | Educational |
| THE OUSELEY CHURCH MUSIC TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | Fees |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LEICESTER CATHEDRAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3.5m |
| THE LEICESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE | 1 | £374k |
| SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE | 1 | £330k |
| THE KIRBY LAING FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| THE IAN AND CLARE MATTIOLI CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £75k |
| CATHEDRAL MUSIC TRUST | 1 | £37k |
| THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION | 1 | £35k |
| EDITH MURPHY FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
Charities like this
- THE ST GABRIEL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
- THE PETERBOROUGH SCHOOL LIMITED
- SALISBURY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL LIMITED
- ST GEORGE'S SCHOOL, EDGBASTON
- THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TRUST
- LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL | £2.7m | — | — | unclear | — | noted |
| THE ST GABRIEL SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | £9.0m | — | — | below | — | not going concern |
| THE PETERBOROUGH SCHOOL LIMITED | £8.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| SALISBURY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL LIMITED | £3.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST GEORGE'S SCHOOL, EDGBASTON | £5.2m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TRUST | £9.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |