ACKWORTH SCHOOL
Latest income
£8.7m
Latest spending
£9.6m
Registered
2017
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the school reported a deficit of £972,429 for the year ended 31 August 2025, primarily due to the introduction of VAT on fees and bad debt provisions. Per the trustees' report, the school holds no free reserves in the accounting sense, with unrestricted funds standing at £3.2m against a policy target of £4m. The trustees maintain that the school remains a going concern, supported by an overdraft facility and forecasts showing a return to break-even in the current year.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £90,001 - £100,000 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £70k)
“In the band £90,001 - £100,000 1”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy
“the School currently holds no free reserves in the accounting sense. However, unrestricted funds currently stand at £3.2m (2024: £4.1m).”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Ackworth School Estates Limited (ASEL)
“During the year sales amounting to £8,280 (2024: £2,047) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £178 (2024: £11,717) and the profit of the company is made available to the school by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £90,424 (2024: £129,161). A grant totalling £nil (2024: £20,000) was also received from Ackworth School 1950 Trust, the immediate controlling entity.”
“Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. In the year grants of £nil (2024: £20,000) were paid to the Ackworth School Estates Limited, a subsidiary undertaking for the purposes of letting the premises and land at Ackworth School. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,128 (2024: £2,196,128) which is provided against in the subsidiary, and accrued interest of £43 (2024: £247).” — page 57
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Ackworth School 1950 Trust
“During the year sales amounting to £8,280 (2024: £2,047) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £178 (2024: £11,717) and the profit of the company is made available to the school by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £90,424 (2024: £129,161). A grant totalling £nil (2024: £20,000) was also received from Ackworth School 1950 Trust, the immediate controlling entity.”
“Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. In the year grants of £nil (2024: £20,000) were paid to the Ackworth School Estates Limited, a subsidiary undertaking for the purposes of letting the premises and land at Ackworth School. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,128 (2024: £2,196,128) which is provided against in the subsidiary, and accrued interest of £43 (2024: £247).” — page 57
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Ackworth & Freshfield Educational Foundation
“During the year sales amounting to £8,280 (2024: £2,047) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £178 (2024: £11,717) and the profit of the company is made available to the school by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £90,424 (2024: £129,161). A grant totalling £nil (2024: £20,000) was also received from Ackworth School 1950 Trust, the immediate controlling entity.”
“Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. In the year grants of £nil (2024: £20,000) were paid to the Ackworth School Estates Limited, a subsidiary undertaking for the purposes of letting the premises and land at Ackworth School. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,128 (2024: £2,196,128) which is provided against in the subsidiary, and accrued interest of £43 (2024: £247).” — page 57
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Wennington School Bursary Fund
“During the year sales amounting to £8,280 (2024: £2,047) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £178 (2024: £11,717) and the profit of the company is made available to the school by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £90,424 (2024: £129,161). A grant totalling £nil (2024: £20,000) was also received from Ackworth School 1950 Trust, the immediate controlling entity.”
“Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. In the year grants of £nil (2024: £20,000) were paid to the Ackworth School Estates Limited, a subsidiary undertaking for the purposes of letting the premises and land at Ackworth School. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,128 (2024: £2,196,128) which is provided against in the subsidiary, and accrued interest of £43 (2024: £247).” — page 57
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Donations
“During the year sales amounting to £8,280 (2024: £2,047) were invoiced to ASEL, and purchases were made from ASEL totalling £178 (2024: £11,717) and the profit of the company is made available to the school by way of a deed of covenant. At the balance sheet date the amount due from ASEL was £90,424 (2024: £129,161). A grant totalling £nil (2024: £20,000) was also received from Ackworth School 1950 Trust, the immediate controlling entity.”
“Ackworth School 1950 Trust receives gifts, legacies and donations and lends these funds to Ackworth School. In the year grants of £nil (2024: £20,000) were paid to the Ackworth School Estates Limited, a subsidiary undertaking for the purposes of letting the premises and land at Ackworth School. At the balance sheet date the amount due to Ackworth School 1950 Trust was £2,196,128 (2024: £2,196,128) which is provided against in the subsidiary, and accrued interest of £43 (2024: £247).” — page 57
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Total income
£8.7m
Total spending
£9.6m
Cost of raising funds
£266k
Reserves (reported)
£3.2m
Employees
157
Trustees
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £8.7m | £9.6m |
| 31/08/2024 | £9.0m | £8.9m |
| 31/08/2023 | £8.3m | £9.1m |
| 31/08/2022 | £8.0m | £8.4m |
| 31/08/2021 | £7.9m | £7.9m |
Common questions
Is ACKWORTH SCHOOL financially healthy?
The accounts state that the school reported a deficit of £972,429 for the year ended 31 August 2025, primarily due to the introduction of VAT on fees and bad debt provisions. Per the trustees' report, the school holds no free reserves in the accounting sense, with unrestricted funds standing at £3.2m against a policy target of £4m. The trustees maintain that the school remains a going concern, supported by an overdraft facility and forecasts showing a return to break-even in the current year. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sumer Auditco Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of ACKWORTH SCHOOL earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £90,001 - £100,000 band.