ASSOCIATION FOR CITIZENSHIP TEACHING

Registered charity 1187335 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as ACT

We work to transform the lives of children and young people through high quality Citizenship and democracy education. We achieve our aims by supporting the education community with:teacher professional development, training, conferences and networking;resources, our journal and by sharing research;advocacy and policy influencing aimed at strengthening Citizenship education.

Causes: Education/training · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£853k
Latest spending
£700k
Registered
2020
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that total unrestricted reserves were £642,584, which the Trustees consider an appropriate level against a policy target of six months' operating costs. The charity reported a net movement in funds of £153,891 for the year, with total net assets increasing to £1,581,653. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: £60,001 - £70,000 — above the median for charities its size (£60k)
The number of employees who received remuneration (excluding employer pension and NI costs) of more than £60,000 is as follows: £60,000 - £70,000 £70,000 - £80,000 Total as at 31 August 2025 2 - — page 23
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 2
The number of employees who received remuneration (excluding employer pension and NI costs) of more than £60,000 is as follows: £60,000 - £70,000 £70,000 - £80,000 Total as at 31 August 2025 2 - — page 23
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: Donations and legacies (67% of income)
Total income from donations and legacies was £573,421 (2024: £862,999) — page 21
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: six months operating costs (held: £643k)
The Trustees Reserves Policy was reviewed during the year and reset with the goal of establishing a minimum of six months operating costs.
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Helen Blachford received £1,036 for expense claims including travel, consultancy work and recruitment materials.
Helen Blachford received £1,036 (2024: £3,024) in expense claims for travel costs, consultancy work and recruitment materials — page 27
Nanci Ellis received £2,400 (2024: £1,350) for consultancy work. — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Nanci Ellis received £2,400 for consultancy work.
Helen Blachford received £1,036 (2024: £3,024) in expense claims for travel costs, consultancy work and recruitment materials — page 27
Nanci Ellis received £2,400 (2024: £1,350) for consultancy work. — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Richard Glover received £106 for travel expense claims.
Helen Blachford received £1,036 (2024: £3,024) in expense claims for travel costs, consultancy work and recruitment materials — page 27
Nanci Ellis received £2,400 (2024: £1,350) for consultancy work. — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Becca Weighell received £83 for travel expense claims.
Helen Blachford received £1,036 (2024: £3,024) in expense claims for travel costs, consultancy work and recruitment materials — page 27
Nanci Ellis received £2,400 (2024: £1,350) for consultancy work. — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Sera Shortland received £73 for travel expense claims.
Helen Blachford received £1,036 (2024: £3,024) in expense claims for travel costs, consultancy work and recruitment materials — page 27
Nanci Ellis received £2,400 (2024: £1,350) for consultancy work. — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Haines Watts Swindon Limited. Discloses 6 of 6 completeness components.

Public-sector contracts awarded

From the official Contracts Finder and Find a Tender notices (supplier matched by exact registered name). Contract income is distinct from grants.

BuyerContractAwardedValue
Department for EducationECSC Framework - Lot 10 - Curriculum Subject Drafters (con_31631)01/04/2026£50k
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONImproving Democratic Education (Association for Citizenship Teaching)08/12/2025£185k

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)

Total income
£853k
Total spending
£700k
Reserves (reported)
£642k
Employees
9

Reported reserves equal ~11.0 months of spending — above the median for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Throughout England

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/08/2025£853k£700k
31/08/2024£1.2m£674k
31/08/2023£1.0m£640k
31/08/2022£1.2m£697k
31/03/2021£114k£98k

Common questions

Is ASSOCIATION FOR CITIZENSHIP TEACHING financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total unrestricted reserves were £642,584, which the Trustees consider an appropriate level against a policy target of six months' operating costs. The charity reported a net movement in funds of £153,891 for the year, with total net assets increasing to £1,581,653. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Haines Watts Swindon Limited.

What does the highest-paid employee of ASSOCIATION FOR CITIZENSHIP TEACHING earn?

Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 2 employees earned over £60,000.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
UK government22/08/2023£42kFraud Reform Programme Association for Citizenship Teaching (FRP-ACT)
The National Lottery Community Fund25/07/2019£10kRegional Citizenship Hubs
The National Lottery Heritage Fund31/05/2005£61"The Association For Citizenship Teaching Will Use A Grant To Create A Programme Entitled 'Remembrance, Reconciliation And Commemoration' Tha"
The National Lottery Community Fund26/05/2005£1kRemembrance, Reconciliation and Commemoration