THE POETRY SCHOOL
(COMPANY NO. 034348491
{CHARITY NO. 1069314)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd
308 Burnell Road
Surbilon
Surrey
KT6 7AL

THE POETRY SCHOOL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
CONTENTS
Pages
Trustees, Annual Report
8-10
Independent Auditors, Report
Statement of Financial Activities
12
Balance Sheet
13
Cash Flow Statement
14-21
Notes to the Financial Stat6ments

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their report for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and Administrative Details
TRUSTEES
Hannah Etim-Gorst (appointed 05 September 2023, elected as Chair 05 March 2025)
Christopher Brown (appointed 20 May 2024, elected as Vice Chair 05 March 2025)
Richard Forsdyke (Chair) (appointed 27 June 2017, resigned 11 September 2025}
Helen Taylor lappoinled 10 December 2015)
Denise Saul (appointed 26 November 2020. resigned 11 June 2025>
Jonathan Teyssandier {appointed 25 February 2021, resigned 08 January 2025)
Jonathan Sharples (appointed 05 September 2023)
Katherine Columbus (appointed 26 March 2024)
Professor Helen Mort (appointed 5 July 2024, resigned 11 June 20251
REGISTERED OFFICE
Ground Floor
1 Cty Square
Park Row
Leeds LSI 2ES
COMPANY NUMBER
03434849
CHARITY NUMBER
1069314
BANKERS
CAF Bank Limited
Kingshill
West Maling
Kent
ME19 4TA
AUDITORS
Kingston Burrowes Audit Ltd
308 Ewell Road
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 7AL

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Icontd...
Objectives and A¢tivltles
The purposes of the charity are..
To provide inspiring tuition and opportunities for poets and poetry audiences
To encourage poets and poetry to flourish
To offer high quality creative tuition, direction and supporl that is affordable and accessible to
all.
The vision which shapes our annual activities remains the teaching of poetry as an art fomi from
beginner level to an accredited MA in partnership with Newcastle University and beyond. We also act
as a talent development agency for emerging poets with a programme of professional development
opportunities.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the
Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The Poetry School relies on income from course
fees as well as grants from bodies such as Arts Council England and other trusts and individuals to
cover its operating costs. Affordability and accessibility to our programmes is important to us and is
reflected in our pricing and bursary policies set out in detail later in this report.
We endeavour to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to take part in our activities and
offer a comprehensive digital programme enhanced and supported by CAMPUS, the world's largest
social network for poets. The School is now fimily embedded in Somerset House, an inspiring and
impressive location which hosts our Masters in Writing Poetry as well as= an advanced poetry
workshop- a selection of short- and one-day courses and- half-day sessions in partnership with the
New Poets Collective and the Soulhbank Centre in the Spring temi.
In addition it operales in person from Exeter up to York and has over 15 geographical locations where
it delivers tuition and events for students and the public, thus justifying its position as an educational
institution with genuinely national reach. Prize ceremonies take place outside London in location such
as Leeds, Bimiingham and Yorkshire, expanding on the valuable and unique relationship with the
Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. More free workshops, scholarships and bursaries, were marketed
and offered, many for marginalised and minority groups including 4 full scholarships for the Masters in
Writing Poetry (worth £10,800 each for entrants of the 2024125 cohort) and creative partnerships with
groups which specialise in hard to reach poets were developed. A particular long-term partnership
with Creative Future has resulted in the School team judging their poetry competition, picking mentors
and Isy Mead chairing their poetry publishing panel at the Southbank Centre showcase with this
critical audience.
The strategies employed to achieve the charity's aims and objectives are to..
Present and market a wide range of programmes, seminars and workshops to appeal to
poets of all abilities and from all backgrounds.
utilise digital methods of teaching to ensure that in addition to OLtr UK wide physical centres
students from all areas can access our work.
Achieve greater sustainability, resilience and impact by scaling-up the Poetry School's
operations.. increasing staff numbers, improving systems and diversifying th8 funding base.
Engage in partnership activities with relevant groups and organisations to devise creative
ways for individuals to further their practice and gain experience.
Increase free provision to under-represented groups and marginalised poets and remove all
financial and other barriers to participation.
Putting these strategies into action we have 4 main areas of activity
our core informal teaching
programme, Masters in Writing Poetry, digital offering and CAMPUS as well as special projects,
prizes and partnerships.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Icontd...
Achievements and Perforniance
Infomiai reaching pmgramme
This is the core of the Poetry School's offer, and has existed in some fomi since the organisation's
founding in 1997. We run a programme of activities to teach adults how to write poetry and this
programme is segmented in various ways to take account of people's skills, interests, geographical
and social situation, level of commitment and budget.
Most face-to-face classes tske place in the evening and at weekends. We have 30 week course5 over
a year, 10 and 5 session courses over a term. and one and two day sessions at weekends. Classes
are set at beginner, intermediate and advanced level, and students can learn about the technical,
inspirational or professional aspects of writing poetry. They can also choose from a pedagogical
spectrum from lecture to practical workshop. We offer free tsster sessions to all interested in our
courses to ensure that everyone, no matter their socio-economic background, herÈtage or disability
and everyone can engage with our work from free ecopoetry workshops have reached students
globally and have been taught by tutors as far afield as LA to our MA and scholarships for
marginalised poets.
Our online programme has an average attendance of over 94% with a similar figure being returning
students. Our long-term strategies and varieties of support ensure that a beginner may one day
become an MA studenl and then teacher, many developing a relationship with the School that tasts
decades.
MA
The Masters in Wriiing Poetry Continues as our first accredited course in association with Newcastle
University- We enrolled 16 students for the 2024-25 academic year,
an exceptional achievement as
this represents two cohorts in both the first and second year for the very first time. The cohorts
entering in 2024-25 are an even split of 8 in each cohort with 35 students participating in Somerset
House, the School's numbers are far in excess of the 5 students Newcastle itself has on this course at
their campus. This has led to a significant lift in revenues as can be seen in the figures.
Digital Offering and CAMPUS
As already noted this is a key area of success and growth for the School and although the new
website development was paused again for this year the School views year-on-year website
development as a major priority item in order to remain a going concern.
Special pmjects andpartnerships
Our'Poet in the World, programming is how we address our audience development targets, focussing
particularly on bringing in a younger and more diverse group of writers to the Poetry School. A series
of special projects and partnerships helps us do that. In 2024-25, we concentrated on..
Laurel Prize Writer Sn Residence - the School commissioned a promising early career poet who
attended the Lau￿1 Prize-Giving Ceremony at Yorkshire Sculpture Park and workshops led by the
Laurel Judges, as well as participate in a ten-week Poetry School course. They then worked to a paid
commission to produce a poem and blog reflecting the eco-themes of the Laurel Prize.
Verve Performance Lecturer - the School commissioned a poet to provide a poetry perfomiance at
the Verve Festival of Poetry and Spoken Word 2025.
The Laurel Prize for Nature and Ecopoetry - Poet Laureate, Simon Amiitage's prize created as his
headline Laureateship project and to which he is giving his Laureate's stipend of £5,000 per annum
for the 10 year term. Funding was secured again from a number of trusts, foundations and individuals
to sustain and grow this activity. The Laurel Prize continues to grow in terms of global submissions
and visibility.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2024-25 also marks the inaugural year of Summit.. A Poetry School Festival our landmark ecopoetry,
nature and climate writing festival. Its inaugural edition was in collaboraticn with the University of
Leeds Poetry Centre, the Laurel Prtze, the National Poetry Centre, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park
supported by Arts Council England, National Landscapes Association, and Leeds City Council.
Across Imo days, Summit hosted a day of celebration where the Laurel Prize ceremony took place in-
person at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with an online audience. The second day brought together
some of the UK'S most celebrated writers for perfomiances, workshops, surgeries, and panel
discussions.
Prizes we sponsored and partnered with Creative Future Award, Rebecca Swift Foundation
Women Poets Prrze, Aesthetica Creative Writing Prize, The UK National University Poetry Slam &
Summit .
Partnerships - New Poets Collective, Verve Poetry Festival (Sponsored Performance Lecture), T.S.
Eliot Prize, Fo￿ard Prizes, Obsidian Foundation, Creative Future.
Editorial Partnerships- How l Did It with Fo￿ard Prizes, and Writers, Notes with T.S. Eliot Prize.
Our Creative Values
The Poetry School was established in 1997 by three poets around a kitchen table. From these
beginnings our artistic values have grown with a core commitment to providing inspiring tuition and
opportunities for poets and poetry audience5. Since our earliest days our activities have enabled
poets and poetry to flourish.
Wrth established teaching Cenlres throughout England as well as online courses, downloadable
activities, and the world's biggest social nelwork dedicated lo poetry - CAMPUS - the Poetry School
is unique in its ability to reach and develop aspiring poets wherever they may be, both in the UK and
internationally.
We respect the diversity and views of our audiences and ensure that all comments on our artistic
programme, both positive and negative are respected and heard. We aim to respond to all queries
and complaints regarding our programme immediately and properly and ensure that all tutors,
students and other stakeholders have their voices heard and their comments noted.
The Poetry School was a proud National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England 2018-22.
During COVID this term was extended to funding to April 2023. In September 2023, the Poetry School
was accepted onto the Transfer Programme, completing our transfer into the Northen Portfolio in
October 2024 until March 2028.
Student Experience
The School is committed to monitoring the satisfaction of its sludent5 and all the groups WTth which we
work. Over 80 % of our students return to take courses in the future, a statistic which indicates the
success of our offer.
"The Poetry School has become like my secret elixir that I take a spoonful of when I need some
nourishment and inspiration.
- Spring 2025 Survey response
'What the Poetry School offers is invaluable because us poets must never stop learning. there is
always more to know, read, write and share, plus quality feedback is priceless."
Spring 2025 Survey
response
"Poetry School was the first step in my writing career towards being a professional poet."
2025 Survey response.
Spring
Poetry School courses have been invaluable to finding my voice and subject matter interests as a
poet. I have discovered what I truly love writing about. Every tutor has supplied reading rnaterial that I
wouldn't have found on my own." _ Spring 2025 Survey response.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Financial Review
The Poetry School has been mainly funded by the Art Council England since 2018. The support of
ACE continues to be essential to maintaining our core costs which will be kept at Ihe current level of
activity. Despite the increasing pressure on public expenditure, the Poetry School has secured
funding from ACE as one of its Northern Portfolio NPO'S from 2024-28. The trustees understand that
the charity is expected to generate increasing proportions of funds through increased sales income,
commissioned projects and philanthropy from major trusts and foundations as well as individual
donors.
The principal source of income for the school was the course sales of £198,966 in 2025. The Poetry
School has successfully generated £120,324 income through our MA Programme in partnership with
Newcastle University.
The aim is to rebuild reserves to the desired levels of 6 months contingency and sector partnerships
have slowly been reestablished and are planned to add to unrestricted funds.
Our Priclng Policy
The Poetry School is committed to ensuring that its work is accessible and affordable to all who wish
to P8rticipate, no matter their financial circumstances.
Prices and fees were raised nominally across the programme this financial year.
Our MA is now £10,800 for the ttvo-year course. Of this amount the Poetry School tskes 85% and
Newcastle University 15 %.
We offer means tested bursaries to all those who qualify, with up to 1 OOOA of costs funded.
Our tutor fees are based on the Society of Authors Freelance Rate Reckoner and we ar8 proud to be
a London minimum wage employer. We hold regular reviews with tutors and benchmark our policies
against comparators within the arts and academic sectors
Investments
The Poetry School currently has no inveslments on which to report.
Reserves Policy and Golng Concern
Reserves are required to cover unplanned emergency expenditure and the trustees consider the ideal
level of reserve would be three months, worth of overhead costs.
The trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the school and consider that adequate resources
continue to be available to fund the activities of the charity for the foreseeable future.
Plans for Future Periods
The Poetry School Directors will continuously revise its Articles of Association to bring it more closely
in line with current Charty Committee advice based on the Chartties Act 2006.
The School continues to develop and strengthen relevant partnerships with key organisations as Can
be seen in our special projects and other activities. Of particular note is the establishment of the
Laurel Prize.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Icontd...
The School continues to innovate and lead activity in the sector engaging new and harder to reach
audiences whilst increasing fund raising from trusts and foundations, individuals and pursues
corporate partnership5 as well as providing sector leading activities through research and
developmenl.
Lusungu Chikamata, 30 December 2025
stwcture Governance and Management
Goveming Document
The Poetry School 15 a private company limited by guarantee (company number 03434849) governed
by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated September 2016. It is a registered charity with
the Charity Commission, number 1069314.
Appointment of Twstees
As set out in the Articles of Association the chair of the trustees is nominated by the Board. Board
members serve for 3 years wilh 30 % of members retiring on an annual basis with an option of re-
èlection.
All members have the opportunity to nominate or support the nomination of trustee8 before ea¢h
board meeting and when considering new trustees the Board considers the requirement for any
specialist skills required for instance, in the eventuality of a capitsl campaign large scale project
management and construction skills will be required.
Organisation
The board of trustees administers the charity. The Board normally meets quarterly and a
representative from Arts Council England is also invrted to attend. An Executive Team is appointed by
the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity as well as the programme and special
projects.
Related Parties and Co-operation with other oryanisations
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any
connection between a trustee or senior manager of the charity with other poetry organisations must
be disclosed to the full board of trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a
related paty- In the current year no such related party transactions were reported.
Pay Pollcy for Senior Staff
The directors consider the board of directors, who are the Poetry School's trustees and the senior
management team comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and
controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time
freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of directors, expenses and related
party transactions are disclosed in note 12 of the accounts.
The pay of senior staff is reviewed annualty and nomalsy increased in accordance with average
eamings. In view of the nature of the charity the directors benchmark against other arts organisations
of a similar size.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Icontd...
Risk Management
The organisation has a risk management strategy which compromises -
An annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces in line wilh ACE
reporting guidelines
The establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate these risks identified
Discreet risk assessments when faced with new or special projects, such as the potential for a
¢8Pital campaign or other extraordinary activty.
ACE gave the charity a risk rating of MODEFIATE, noting that this was "primarily due to the School
b8ing out of the portfolio and without Director leadership since Autumn 2023. The Poetry School
appointed new Artistic and Finance Diredors, who started work at the beginning of 24125 year."
Trustees, responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Trustees, responsibilities statement
The trustees (who are also directors of the Poetry School for Ihe pu￿Ose5 of Company law) are
responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial stateTnents for each financial year. Under
company law the trustees must not approve Ihe fir¢ancial statements unless they are satisfied that
they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitsble company and of the incoming
resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable
company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
obseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102).,
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.,
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.,
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware..
there is no relevant audtt information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware.,
and
the trustees have tsken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act
2008 relating to small companies.
By order of the board of trustees
Hannah Etim-Gorst (C
air)
30 January 2026

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF:
THE POETRY SCHOOL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Poetry School for the year ended 31 March 2025
which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet. the Cash Flow Statement
and notes lo the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The
financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United
Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements=
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025,
and of its incoming resources and application of resources. including its income and
expenditure, for the year then ended,.
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice., and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements ofthe Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing {UK) {ISAs (UK)) and
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of
the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of
the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our
other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern
basis of aeKounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to
events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable
company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the
financial ststements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustee5 With respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other informatlon
The twstees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the
information included in the trustees, annual report, other than the financial statements and our
auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover Ihe other information
and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion Ihereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other
information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is malerially inconsistent with the
financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially
misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a
material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that
fact.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF:
THE POETRY SCHOOL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
l¢ontd...
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the infomiation given in the trustees, report {incorporating the directors, report) lor the
financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial
statements., and
the directors, report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment
obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors.
rèport.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act
2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audtt have not
been received from branches not visited by us, or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or
certain disclosures of directors, remuneration specified by law are not made,. or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit-, or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare th8 financial statements in accordance with the small
companies, regime and take advantage of the small companies. exemptions in preparing the
directors, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the
directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and
for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial
statements that are free from material misststement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable
company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable. matters related to going
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate
the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditorfs responsibllitles for the audit of the finanGial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the fi'nancial statements as a whole
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report
that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance. but is not a guarant88
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS {UK) will ahhfays detect a material misstatement
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually
or in the aggregate, they could reasonabty be expected to influence the economic decisions of users
taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design
procedures in line with our responsibilities. outlined above, to detect material misststements in
respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent
to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below=

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORTTO THE MEMBERS OF:
THE POETRY SCHOOL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Icontd...
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance about actual and potential
litigation or claims and Ihe identitication of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess
compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including testing journal entries and
other adjustments for appropriateness,. and assessing whether the judgements made in
making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias.
Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may
indicate risks of material misststement due to fraud.
Professional scepticism in course of the audit and with audit sampling in material audit areas.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities,
including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with
regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the
events and transactions reflected in the financial statement5, as we will be less likely to become
aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due
to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or
misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the
Financial Reporting Council's website at.. l￿W.fr¢.Org.ukIaUdi1or$responsib7lfflIes. This description
forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we
might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an
auditor's report and for no other purpose.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than
the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a bcKly, for our audit work, for this
report, or for the opinions we have formed.
K.C. Fisher (Senior Statutory Auditor}
For and on behalf of Kingston Burrowes Audit Limited,
ststutory Auditors
308 Ewell Road
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 7AL
30 January 2026
10-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(including the Income and Expenditure Account)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Totsl
2025
Total
2024
Notès
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
FROM:
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Charitable activities
143,690
647
328,266
2,500
146,190
178,759
890
395,794
328,266
TOTAL INCOME
472,603
2,500
475,103
575,443
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Charilable activities
532,852
25,000
557,852
567,805
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
532,852
25,000
557,852
567.805
NET (EXPENDITUREIIINCOME
Transfer betmeen funds
{60,249)
(22,5001
(82,749)
7.638
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(60,249)
{22.500)
(82,749)
7,638
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought fonmard at 1 April 2024
87,610
22,750
110,360
102,722
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
AT 31 MARCH 2025
£27,361
£250
£27,611
£110,360
The company made no recognised gains and losses other than those reported in the income and
expenditure account.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 14 to 21 fomi part of these financial statements.

THE POETRY SCHOOL
(Company No. 03434849)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
Notes
2025
2024
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
1,063
1,074
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
10
6,109
95,401
76,338
93,955
101,510
170,293
CREDITORS:
Amounts falling due within one year
11
74,962
61,007
NET CURRENT ASSETS
28,548
109,286
NET ASSETS
12
£27,611
£110,360
FINANCED BY:
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
13
13
27,361
250
87,610
22,750
£27,611
£110,360
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15
of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 30 January 2026.
Hannah Etim-Gorst
(Chair)
The notes on pages 14 to 21 fr)rm part of these financial statements
12-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net movement in funds per Statement of Financial Activities
Adjustments for..
Depreciation
Decreasel{increase) in debtors
(Decrease)Ilncrease in creditors
{82,749)
7,638
666
70.229
13.955
499
{23,304)
21,481
Net cash (used In) operating activitles
2,101
6,314
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(655)
(1,147)
Net cash pmvlded by/(used in) investing activities
1,446
5,167
Increase in cash
1,446
5,167
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
93,955
88,788
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward
£95,401
£93,955
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2025
2024
Cash at bank and in hand
£95,401
£93,955
The notes on pages 14 to 21 form part of the financial statements.
13-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General information and basis of accountrng
The Poetry School is a registered charity (No. 1069314) and private company limited by
guarantee (No. 03434849), incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
The registered office is given in the Reference and Administrative Details in the Trustees,
Annual Report.
The chartty constitutes a public benefrt entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements
have beèn prepared in aGGordanGe with Accounting and Reporting by Charilies.. Statement of
Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) issued in
October 2019. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic
of Ireland (FRS 102), the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost
convention. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial
statements are set out below. Thes& policies have been consistently applied to all years
presented unless othemise stated.
Tangible Fixed Assets
Fixed assels are shown at historical cost.
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its
estimated useful life by the straight line method.
Fumiture and equipment
Improvements to leasehold premises
250/0
20%
Taxation
The charitable company is exempt from taxation under s505 Income and Corporation Taxes
Act 1988.
Income recognrtion
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient
certainty that receipl of the income is considered probable and the amount can be measured
reliably.
The Poetry School receives much of its income at the start of the academic year for courses
held throughout that year. Accordingly the proportion of income for the next fsnancial year is
deferred.
Expenditure recognition
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a
third party. it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount can be measured
reliably.
14-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED>
ACCOUNTING POLICIESlcontd...
Expendiiure is classified under the following headings..
Raising funds which comprise of those costs associated with attracting voluntary income
such as grants and donations
Charitable activities which comprise of those costs associated with carrying out the charity's
various activrties in order to meet tts objectives
Expenditure includes those of a direct nature which can be allocated to a specific activty. It
also includes indirect costs, including governance costs that do not relate to a specific activity
but are necessary to support those a¢livities.
Debtors and creditors
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are
recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairtnent are recognised expenditure.
Fund accounting
The Restricted Funds are restricted income funds given to the charity for specific reasons.
They are expendable by the trustees in respect of particular projects in furtherance of the
objects of the charity.
The Unrestricted Funds are funds expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of
the objects of the charity.
Leases
Operating lease rentals are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line
basis over the period of the lease.
Pensions
The charty operates a defined contribution scheme. Contributions payable under the scheme
are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year to which they relate.
15-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED)
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Arts Council England-Transfer
Programme
Arts Council England- Transition
Fund
Arts Council England- Feasibility
Project
Donations
142,993
142,993
59,581
83,412
2,500
2,500
22,500
697
697
13,266
£143,690
£2,500
£146,190
£178,759
Of th& £178,759 recognised in 2024, £67,847 was unrestricted funds and £110,912 was restricted
funds.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Bank interest receivable
£647
£Nil
£647
£890
All of the £890 recognised in 2024 was unrestricted funds.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Courses (inc. online), Tutorials,
Seminars & Workshops
New Artistic Programmes and Special
Projects
Higher Education Programme
oth&r income
198,966
198,966
233,086
8,976
120,324
8,976
120,324
10.894
149,014
2.800
£328,266
£Nil
£328,266
£395,794
All of the £395,794 recognised in 2024 was unrestricted funds.
16-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED)
EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Salaries and staff costs
Tutor fees
Rent and venue hire
Premises cost
Marketing
Course Expenses
Higher Education Programme
New Artistic Programmes
Grants to Students
Insurance
Communications
Website costs
Legal and professional
Repairs and renewals {Inc. IT)
Stationery and office supplies
Telephone and Internet
Bank and PayPal charges
Sundry expenses
Depreciation
Travel
228,718
129,348
12,929
1,339
4,228
10,813
53,677
19,710
21,300
3,461
130
8.858
5,330
3,377
342
1,414
942
211
666
2,176
1,000
229,718
129,348
12,929
1,339
4,228
10,813
53,677
43,710
21,300
3,461
130
8,858
5,330
3,377
342
1,414
200,915
131,937
31,587
1,145
3,307
21,123
70,286
30,334
7,440
3.425
190
7,978
21,840
3,501
4,990
1,624
5,164
571
499
9,328
24,000
211
2,176
DIRECT PROJECT COSTS
£508,969
£25,000
£533,969
557,164
SUPPORT COSTS
Salaries and staff costs
Governance costs:
Auditors remuneration
Directors, expenses
21.000
21,000
6,450
2,130
753
2,130
753
2,010
2,181
£532,852
£25,000
£557,852
£567,805
Of the £587,805 expended in 2024, £476,393 was charged to unrestricted funds and £91,412 to
restricted funds.
17-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED)
NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR
2025
2024
This is ststed after charging..
Operating lease r&ntals
Auditors, remuneration..
Audit services
Non-audit services - accountancy seNtces
Depreciation
£9,097
£18,179
£1,785
£345
£1,700
£310
£499
STAFFING
2025
2024
Salaries
Social Security cost
Pension costs
210,609
15,333
5,866
155.636
10,309
3,790
231,808
35,134
169,735
37,630
Consultants and other stsff costs
£266,942
£207,365
No employee received employee beneffts {excluding employee pension costs) of more than
£60,000.
Total employee benefits received by key management amounted to £91,663 (2024: £30,684}.
2025
No.
2024
Number of Staff
Director
Programme & Marketing
Administration & Finance
TRUSTEE EXPENSES
No Trustees12024'. Nil) were reimbursed for out of pocket subsistence expenses. These amounted to
£Nil for the year (2024.. £Nil)-
18-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED)
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Furniture &
Equipment
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
22,753
655
At 31 March 2025
23,408
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
21,679
666
At 31 March 2025
22.345
Net Book Values
At 31 March 2025
£1,063
At 31 March 2024
£1,074
10. DEBTORS
2025
2024
Accrued income
Other debtors
Prepayments
18,226
57,329
783
4,398
825
£6,109
£76,338
11. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
other creditors including taxation and social security
Accruals
Deferred in￿rne
53,705
4,170
17,087
58,942
2,040
25
£74,962
£61,007
All of the deferred income brought fO￿ard was released during the year.
19-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
(CONTINUED)
12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BEWEEN FUNDS
Unrestricted
Funds
Restrlcted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
Fund Balances at 31 March 2025
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current 8ssets
Current liabilities
1,063
101,260
{74,962}
1,063
101,510
(74,962)
1,074
170,293
(61,007)
250
£27,361
£250
£27,611
£110,360
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1 April
2024
At 31 March
2025
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Restricted Funds..
Apples & Snakes
ACE Feasibility
250
22,500
250
2.500
2,500
22.750
2,500
2,500
250
Unrestricted Funds..
General
87.610
472,603
532,852
27,361
Total Funds
£110,360 £475.103
£557.852
£Nil
£27,611
Comparative information for previous year:
At 1 April
2023
At 31 March
2024
Income
Expendtture
Transfers
Restricted Funds..
Laurel & Ginkgo prizes
Grace Cook Scholarship
Apples & Snakes
ACE Transition
ACE Feasibility
5,000
5,000
3,000
3,000
250
250
83.412
22,500
83,412
22,500
3,250
110,912
91,412
22,750
Unrestricted Funds".
General
99,472
464,531
476.393
87,810
Total Funds
£102,722
£575,443
£567,805
£Nil
£110,380
-20-

THE POETRY SCHOOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
{CONTINUED}
13.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS continued
Funds
Transter Programme - a grant of £142, 993 was received to provide support as we moved our
head office out of London with our work continuing to take place across the UK.
Feasibility Project - a grant of £25.000 was received to visit and establish possible options for
administrative headquarters and permanent in person teaching facilities in one or possibly
more than one location in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and a maximum of two other
locations.
Apples & Snakes - £250 remains for partnership working between the Iwo organisations
following a successfuljointly programmed course in 2014.
Grace Cook Scholarship - donations were received in memory of our late colleague Grace
Cook. The trustees have agreed to use these funds to establish a scholarship for a BIPOC
poet.
Laurel Prize - a donation of £5,000 were received towards the cost of the prize.
14.
OPERA TING LEASE COMMITMENTS
Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows..
2025
2024
Amounts due within..
One year
One to five years
£Nil
£Nil
15.
CONTINGENT ASSETS
Total grant funding awarded as at 31 March 2025 but not yet received and recognised as
income due to the recognition criteria not being met amounts to £297,795 {2024 = 142,993).
21