BURY MANOR SCHOOL TRUST LIMITED (DORSET HOUSE SCHOOL)
The delivery of a broad and balanced education to pupils aged 4-13.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted fund deficit of £276,947 for the year ended 31 August 2025, driven by a reduction in pupil numbers and legal fees related to a merger. Per the trustees' report, the charity has a deficit of free reserves of £201,743 after accounting for tangible fixed assets and bank loans, a situation described as common in independent schools financing their own capital investment. The merger with Lancing College Ltd was completed on 1 September 2025, with the charitable company intended for dissolution.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £100,001 - £110,000” — page 30
“After deducting tangible fixed assets and allowing for the bank loan of £269,186 (2024: £291,618) secured on the charity's freehold property, the charity has a deficit of free reserves at 31 August 2025 of £201,743 (2024: surplus of £71,812).”
“We draw attention to Note 2.1 to the financial statements which explains that the Directors' intend to dissolve the charitable company and therefore do not consider it to be appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.” — page 12
“A subsidiary company, Bury Manor Barn Limited, company registration number 13490783, was incorporated in July 2021 in order to operate the school’s venue hire business.” — page 4
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- Siobhan Cathryn Victoria Denning
- Timothy John Pennington Hancock
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £2.3m | £2.6m |
| 31/08/2024 | £2.5m | £2.5m |
| 31/08/2023 | £2.4m | £2.4m |
| 31/08/2022 | £2.2m | £2.2m |
| 31/08/2021 | £2.0m | £2.0m |
Common questions
Is BURY MANOR SCHOOL TRUST LIMITED (DORSET HOUSE SCHOOL) financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted fund deficit of £276,947 for the year ended 31 August 2025, driven by a reduction in pupil numbers and legal fees related to a merger. Per the trustees' report, the charity has a deficit of free reserves of £201,743 after accounting for tangible fixed assets and bank loans, a situation described as common in independent schools financing their own capital investment. The merger with Lancing College Ltd was completed on 1 September 2025, with the charitable company intended for dissolution. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Kreston Reeves Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of BURY MANOR SCHOOL TRUST LIMITED (DORSET HOUSE SCHOOL) earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £100,001 - £110,000 band.
Charities like this
- DURSTON HOUSE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL TRUST LIMITED
- ST MARY'S SCHOOL (COLCHESTER) LIMITED
- ALDWICKBURY SCHOOL TRUST LTD
- DHS Educational Foundation
- LANCING COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL AT WORTHING LIMITED
- AL RISALAH EDUCATION TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BURY MANOR SCHOOL TRUST LIMITED (DORSET HOUSE SCHOOL) | £2.3m | £100,001 - £110,000 | — | below | — | noted |
| DURSTON HOUSE SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL TRUST LIMITED | £6.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL (COLCHESTER) LIMITED | £7.0m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ALDWICKBURY SCHOOL TRUST LTD | £7.7m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| DHS Educational Foundation | £1.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LANCING COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL AT WORTHING LIMITED | £2.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |