RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE CAMBRIDGE
To advance the education of students aged 7 to 19, being students who are the victims of bullying, or by reason of other emotional trauma or illness, are for the time being unable to attend mainstream school, providing them with an academic, pastoral and therapeutic educational programme in a safe learning environment.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £143,961 for the year ended 31 August 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £655,095. The trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £576,933 exceed their stated policy target of five months' operational expenditure, which was estimated at around £440,000. The independent auditors concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting was appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“Of this, £1,137,752 (2024: £935,266) came from fees or bursaries.”
“The trustees have decided that unrestricted reserves should be equivalent to five months’ worth of operational expenditure. At the level of expenditure for 2024/25, this should equal around £440,000” — page 7
“Included in other debtors due after more than one year is an interest free loan to Red Balloon Learner Centre Group of £10,732 (2024 - £10,732) which is repayable at over 12 months’ notice (i.e. 366 days).” — page 29
“Support fee (Red Balloon Group) 8,000” — page 26
“Included in other debtors due after more than one year is an interest free loan to Red Balloon Learner Centre Group of £10,732 (2024 - £10,732) which is repayable at over 12 months’ notice (i.e. 366 days).” — page 29
“Support fee (Red Balloon Group) 8,000” — page 26
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- Davina Harvey
- Eleanor Susan Laure Thompson
- Elizabeth Bowen
- Jane Green
- Mark Nicholas Patterson
- Paul Lewis Morton-Kemp
- Peter Martin Law
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £1.2m | £1.1m |
| 31/08/2024 | £1.0m | £1.1m |
| 31/08/2023 | £918k | £923k |
| 31/08/2022 | £975k | £849k |
| 31/08/2021 | £934k | £755k |
Common questions
Is RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE CAMBRIDGE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £143,961 for the year ended 31 August 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £655,095. The trustees confirm that unrestricted reserves of £576,933 exceed their stated policy target of five months' operational expenditure, which was estimated at around £440,000. The independent auditors concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting was appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Lakin Rose Limited.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ASTOR FOUNDATION | 2 | £7k |
| WHEELER MILL FOUNDATION | 1 | £59k |
| MAKERS OF PLAYING CARDS CHARITY | 1 | £37k |
| PHILIP KING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| CHARTERHOUSE-IN-SOUTHWARK | 1 | £20k |
| DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £10k |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF INSURERS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- Red Balloon Educational Trust
- RED HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED
- Nurture Education Trust Ltd
- BALLARD SCHOOL LIMITED
- BLOOMFIELD LEARNING CENTRE FOR CHILDREN LIMITED
- Heartwood House
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRE CAMBRIDGE | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Red Balloon Educational Trust | £4.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| RED HOUSE SCHOOL LIMITED | £4.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Nurture Education Trust Ltd | £1.4m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BALLARD SCHOOL LIMITED | £7.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| BLOOMFIELD LEARNING CENTRE FOR CHILDREN LIMITED | £226k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |