FIRST STAR SCHOLARS UK
First Star improves the lives of Looked-after Children and Young People by partnering with universities and working with virtual school heads, schools and their designated teachers, social services, carers, and local authorities to ensure looked-after young people have the academic, life skills, and adult support needed to successfully transition to higher education and adulthood.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £51,528, which exceeds the trustees' stated policy target of three months of normal operating expenditure (approximately £35,000). Although the charity reported a small net deficit of £3,436 for the year, unrestricted funds strengthened materially compared to the prior year, and the trustees confirmed adequate resources for going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year ended 31 March 2025, one Trustee was paid consultancy fees for work not related to their role as a Trustee totaling £10,400 (2024: £nil).” — page 26
“During the year ended 31 March 2025, Trustee expenses were paid one trustees for travel totaling £260 (2024: £8,882 to two trustees).” — page 26
“During the year ended 31 March 2025, one Trustee was paid consultancy fees for work not related to their role as a Trustee totaling £10,400 (2024: £nil).” — page 26
“During the year ended 31 March 2025, Trustee expenses were paid one trustees for travel totaling £260 (2024: £8,882 to two trustees).” — page 26
“During the year ended 31 March 2025, one Trustee was paid consultancy fees for work not related to their role as a Trustee totaling £10,400 (2024: £nil).” — page 26
Trustees
- Robert Grattonchair
- Danielle Hughes
- Monica Henao-De-Castro
- PETER SAMUELSON
- Teshie Monae
- Tom Brighton
- richard Donnelly
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £132k | £142k |
| 31/03/2024 | £308k | £337k |
| 31/03/2023 | £312k | £230k |
| 31/03/2022 | £264k | £270k |
| 31/03/2021 | £182k | £115k |
Common questions
Is FIRST STAR SCHOLARS UK financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £51,528, which exceeds the trustees' stated policy target of three months of normal operating expenditure (approximately £35,000). Although the charity reported a small net deficit of £3,436 for the year, unrestricted funds strengthened materially compared to the prior year, and the trustees confirmed adequate resources for going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds FIRST STAR SCHOLARS UK?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FIRST STAR SCHOLARS UK as a grant recipient include Norwich Freemen's Charity, PETER HARRISON FOUNDATION, The Portal Trust, DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND, ANGUISH'S EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich Freemen's Charity | FY2025 | £25k | A supportive educational programme for looked after young people |
| PETER HARRISON FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £24k | to support a cohort of looked after young people in the southeast to participate in the First Star Scholars programme at Winchester University |
| The Portal Trust | FY2023 | £22k | Annual League Table - Update/Report Card Leaving Care |
| DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND | FY2024 | £20k | Programmes for young people in care |
| ANGUISH'S EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £15k | A supportive educational programme for looked after children |
| THE LAWSON TRUST CIO | FY2025 | £5k | |
| THE GROCERS' CHARITY | FY2025 | £5k | Youth |
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £1k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE THALES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | — |
| THE COPPING JOYCE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE LONGVILLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £200k |
| ST. JAMES'S PLACE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £120k |
| JOHN LYON'S CHARITY | 1 | £119k |
| WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £117k |
| MAN GROUP PLC CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £105k |
Charities like this
- Star Community Foundation
- STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES)
- QUADSTAR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
- INSTITUTE OF INTEGRATED SYSTEMIC THERAPY
- NATIONAL STAR FOUNDATION
- FIRST STORY LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST STAR SCHOLARS UK | £132k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| Star Community Foundation | £300k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STAR (STUDENT ACTION FOR REFUGEES) | £167k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| QUADSTAR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | £165k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INSTITUTE OF INTEGRATED SYSTEMIC THERAPY | £11.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL STAR FOUNDATION | £49.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |