MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL
Steiner Waldorf School
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating surplus of £538,984 and total unrestricted funds of £6,511,380. However, the trustees consider the current level of reserves to be below their stated policy target of two months' operating costs, noting a designated reserves position of £546,720 against a required level of approximately £500,000. The charity also holds a defined benefit pension scheme deficit of £580,000.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year under review two employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000; one in the range of £60,000 - £70,000 and one in the range of £80,000 - £90,000.” — page 28
“During the year under review two employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000” — page 28
“Fees continue to represent over 90% of the charity’s income. Fees continue to be the main driver of income” — page 7
“Trustees consider that the current level of reserves is below that required and that the charity should aim to generate sufficient surpluses over the next 5-10 years to build the reserves to the required level.” — page 11
“During the year one (2024: one) of the school's key management personnel received staff discounts in relation to their children's school fees of £13,800” — page 29
“Within unrestricted funds are designated amounts totalling £5,964,660 (2024: £6,476,351) with funds represented by fixed assets amounting to £6,419,133 and a pension deficit position of £580,000” — page 11
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2024) to £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Stuart McWilliams — Principal
- Tali Michaels — Chair of Trustees
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL LIMITED
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £5.5m | £4.9m |
| 31/07/2024 | £4.8m | £4.4m |
| 31/07/2023 | £4.1m | £4.0m |
| 31/07/2022 | £3.4m | £3.5m |
| 31/07/2021 | £3.8m | £3.9m |
Common questions
Is MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an operating surplus of £538,984 and total unrestricted funds of £6,511,380. However, the trustees consider the current level of reserves to be below their stated policy target of two months' operating costs, noting a designated reserves position of £546,720 against a required level of approximately £500,000. The charity also holds a defined benefit pension scheme deficit of £580,000. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Blue Spire Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band, and 2 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL as a grant recipient include HERMES TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HERMES TRUST | FY2021 | £4k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 10/06/2008 | £10k | Operation Outreach |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| COUNTYPIER LIMITED | 1 | £116k |
| MONDAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| REIFER MEMORIAL LIMITED | 1 | £20k |
| THE BLYTH WATSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- WOLFSON HILLEL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHARITABLE TRUST
- Waldorf Learning Foundation Limited
- ALEXANDER SHTIEBEL
- HUNTER HALL SCHOOL LTD
- HALLFIELD SCHOOL TRUST
- SPRING GROVE SCHOOL 2003
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL | £5.5m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| WOLFSON HILLEL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHARITABLE TRUST | £460k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| Waldorf Learning Foundation Limited | £135k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ALEXANDER SHTIEBEL | £248k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| HUNTER HALL SCHOOL LTD | £1.0m | Greater than £60,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| HALLFIELD SCHOOL TRUST | £7.8m | £150,001 - £160,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |