THE CORPORATION OF OUNDLE SCHOOL
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the Group held total net assets of £138,187,000 at the year-end, with unrestricted reserves of £62,353,000. The Governors consider the level of reserves adequate and note that liquid assets significantly exceeded the stated minimum target of £4,200,000. The financial position is described as satisfactory, supported by strong pupil rolls and forecasted operating surpluses.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose employee benefits excluding employer pension contributions, amounted to over £60,000 in the year was 114 (2023: 95).” — page 36
“The Governors have set a minimum level for liquid assets of £4,200,000 (defined as cash at bank and in hand and bonds with a maturity of less than one year), equivalent to six weeks' expenditure.”
“Oundle School recharged Oundle School Enterprises Limited for management fees, payroll costs and services provided to the value of £1,783,000 (2023: £1,647,000). Oundle School also granted Oundle School Enterprises Limited a loan, with a £1,672,000 balance at 31July (2023: £1,616,000) and charged interest of £57,000 during the year (2023: £59,000). In the year ended 31 July 2024 Oundle School recharged The Oundle School Building Company Limited management fees of £nil (2023: £nil) In the year, Oundle School Foundation contributed £1,016,000 (2023: £1,529,000) towards the charitable expenditure of the Corporation. The Corporation donated £100,000 to the Foundation during the year (2023: £100,000). The School's history dates to 1556, when Sir William Laxton, Lord Mayor of London and Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers endowed a 'Free Grammar School' in Oundle. Under the terms of Sir William Laxton's will, the Grocers' Company has been supporting the School since its foundation. In the year ended 31July 2024, the Grocers' Company kindly donated, to Oundle School Foundation, £175,500 towards bursaries and scholarships. During the year Governors and Trustees donated a total of £nil (2023: £625) to The Oundle School Foundation. The value of expenses waived by Governors and Trustees is considered to be immaterial to the financial statements.” — page 53
“Oundle School Enterprises Limited carries out ancillary and other trading. The principal activities are the letting of premises of Oundle School and US including the provision of associated catering and domestic services and managing the commercial aspects of the Sports Centre.” — page 6
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Dominic Oliver — Head
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- THE GOVERNING BODY OF OUNDLE SCHOOL
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £53.4m | £51.4m |
| 31/07/2024 | £51.7m | £49.8m |
| 31/07/2023 | £48.9m | £46.0m |
| 31/07/2022 | £42.5m | £42.4m |
| 31/07/2021 | £37.7m | £39.5m |
Common questions
Is THE CORPORATION OF OUNDLE SCHOOL financially healthy?
The accounts state that the Group held total net assets of £138,187,000 at the year-end, with unrestricted reserves of £62,353,000. The Governors consider the level of reserves adequate and note that liquid assets significantly exceeded the stated minimum target of £4,200,000. The financial position is described as satisfactory, supported by strong pupil rolls and forecasted operating surpluses. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by RSM UK Audit LLP.