Charity Registration No. 01076456
Company Registration No. 03779971 (England and Wales)
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company information | 1 |
| (incorporating the Strategic report) | 3 |
| Independent auditor s report |
25 |
| Financial statements of the group | 29 |
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
| DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS | |
|---|---|
| Directors | J Adams (Chair) |
| S Bradshaw | |
| V Cameron | |
| S L Champkin | |
| R Davis | |
| G W Dixon | |
| D Foster | |
| E Francis | |
| S Holliday | |
| G Holmes | |
| F Kempf | |
| J Martin | |
| R Martin | |
| F Nuttall | |
| R Sutlow | |
| Company Secretary | S Koziarski |
| Charity No. | 01076456 |
| Company No. | 03779971 |
| Principal Address and Registered Office | Ardingly College |
| College Road | |
| Ardingly | |
| Haywards Heath | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH17 6SQ | |
| Key Management Personnel | |
| Head | B A Figgis |
| Chief Operating Officer | T Scully |
| Auditor | Moore Kingston Smith LLP |
| 6th Floor | |
| 9 Appold Street | |
| London | |
| EC2A 2AP | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank plc |
| 99-101 South Road | |
| Haywards Heath | |
| West Sussex | |
| RH16 4ND |
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Principal Solicitors
Insurance Brokers
Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP Narrow Quay House Narrow Quay Bristol BS1 4QA
Marsh Limited 1 Tower Place West Tower Place London EC3R 5BU
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The directors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2025 and Strategic Reports, under the Companies Act 2006.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The charity was formed in 1858 and is registered with the Charity Commission as charity number 01076456. The charity is a limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of The Woodard Corporation (charity number 01096270). The charitable company is incorporated in England. Directors of the Company are also Fellows (members) of the Woodard Corporation and participate in the election of its board of management and are committed to its charitable objects.
Note 31 provides details of connected charities.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The company is governed by Articles of Association as adopted by Special Resolution dated 20th March 2013.
Governing Body
The Governors are the directors and charity trustees of the company. They comprise the Governing Governing Body operates using a number of committees. Membership of each committee is outlined on page 21. The governing body met three times during the year.
Recruitment and Training of Governors
All Governors are Corporate Fellows of the Woodard Corporation. Corporate Fellows are responsible for electing the Woodard Corporation Board. Governors are recruited through advertisements and on the basis of nominations from College contacts. Prior to appointment, all new Governors undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to confirm their suitability for the role under the Governors on the basis of relevant competence, specialist skills and Christian commitment. Upon joining, all new Governors are provided with a copy of the governing document along with a comprehensive new Governor induction pack. In addition, they are inducted into the workings of the College including board policy and procedures, through minutes of recent Board and Committee meetings and through meetings with the Chair, Head, COO and Clerk to the Governors. Emphasis is procedures particularly relating to safeguarding, child protection, The Prevent Duty and Health and Safety and ensuring their effectiveness in practice. Detail of on-going training are advised by the College to Governors and include events organised by AGBIS, ISC and other educational and/or professional bodies. Governors are asked to report to Council on training undertaken and, where possible, to make copies of presentations available. Governors also complete the annual staff update training on safeguarding. Additional e-learning is provided through AGBIS, Educare and others.
Volunteers
Governors are volunteers providing their time for free to support the governance of the College. The College also relies on a number of others to undertake volunteer roles including Friends Association members and classroom support. The College also provides opportunities for voluntary work experience.
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
Organisational Management
The College is governed by the Governing Body (Council) which delegates work to a number of committees. The Governors, who are also the directors, determine the general policy of the company. Responsibility is delegated to the following committees of the Governing Body:
Education and Pastoral Committee to monitor and review the agreed academic, curricular and pastoral provision of the College and make recommendations as appropriate to the Council. The Committee met three times during the year.
Finance Committee overseeing all financial aspects of the College, working alongside the Chief -term viability and makes recommendations to Council for approval. The Committee met four times during the year.
Risk and Safeguarding Committee values and mission is underpinned by sound safeguarding and risk management arrangements. The Committee met three times during the year .
People and Culture Committee and mission is underpinned by a sound People and Culture strategy. The Committee also monitor staff pay and reward and make pay award recommendations to the Finance Committee. The Committee met twice during the year.
Estates Committee oversees the maintenance and development of the and vehicles, grounds, gardens, roadways and security and makes recommendations to Council for approval. The Committee met three times during the year.
Nominations and Governance Committee ensuring the members of College Council have the skill set and experience required to ensure appropriate governance of all College activities. It also makes recommendations to Council for any changes to the governance approach. The Committee meets as required but at least annually. The Nominations and Governance Committee met twice in the year.
In addition to the Committee structure, individual Governors are allocated key areas of responsibility: including Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Boarding, Prep, Mental Health & Wellbeing, IB, and Enterprise and Employability.
The key management personnel are defined as the Head of the College and the Chief Operating Officer. The day-to-day management of the company is delegated to the key management personnel, along with the Head of Prep, Head of Great Walstead School and the Senior Deputy Head of the Senior School, overseeing educational, pastoral and administrative functions in consultation with the senior staff. The day-to-day administration is undertaken within the policies and procedures approved by the Governors which provide for only significant expenditure decisions and major capital projects being referred to the Governors for prior approval.
The Head oversees the recruitment of all educational staff, whilst under delegated authority the Chief Operating Officer oversees the recruitment of administrative and non-teaching operations staff.
The remuneration of key management personnel (noted on page 1) is set by Council, with the policy success.
The appropriateness and relevance of the remuneration policy is reviewed annually, including reference to comparisons with other independent schools to ensure that the College remains sensitive to the broader issues of pay and employment conditions elsewhere.
The College aims to recruit the best staff and is also keen to target newly qualified graduates and trainees to support through their career development. Delivery of the charitable vision and purpose is primarily dependent on our key management personnel and staff costs are the largest single element of our charitable expenditure.
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
Group Structure and Relationships
The College has two wholly owned non-charitable subsidiaries: Ardingly Projects Limited and Ardingly College International Limited. The activities and trading of which are described below. Note 33 provides details of connected charities.
The principal activity of Ardingly Projects Limited is letting College premises and facilities, and retailing.
The principal activity of Ardingly College International Limited is providing educational consultancy services to foreign clients and developing English-speaking schools outside of the UK.
Great Walstead School merged with Ardingly College on 1[st] November 2024. This was a transfer of assets merger for zero consideration. From this date Great Walstead School became a part of Ardingly College Limited.
The College has developed links with a wide range of organisations to ensure the widest possible access to our facilities and education. Through membership of HMC, IAPS, AGBIS and ISBA and through networking with peer groups we ensure that we are able to attain the highest standards of quality and performance. We encourage our pupils to develop an awareness of the social context of the all-round education they receive at the College, and they are engaged in a number of activities to enhance their understanding.
lifelong partnership. We achieve this through a dedicated communications programme, a wide range of events, and positive opportunities to get involved with the life of the College today and inspire the next generation of Old Ardinians. An Agreement of Co-operation has been signed between the College and the Old Ardinians Society, which provides the framework for partnership and delineates the responsibilities of the College and the Society to each other for the benefit of the alumni community.
CHARITABLE OBJECTS, AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Charitable Objects
The objects of the Charity are to promote and extend Education (including spiritual, moral, social, cultural and physical education) in accordance with the doctrines and principles of the Church in the Diocese of Chichester or elsewhere through any or all of the following means:
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by carrying on the school known as Ardingly College and any school or schools associated with it in a manner which develops and sustains a Christian environment centred on the Anglican tradition of the Eucharist and at which a fundamental importance is attached to the teaching of those principles;
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promoting and supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of Woodard Corporation;
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promoting the use of the facilities of any School by the wider community
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and (save for purposes incidental and ancillary to those objects), no other purposes.
Aims and mission
Our mission is to empower children to transform their lives through a World Ready education.
Intended impact
Our education encourages children to become engaged and resilient students with a well-developed understanding of themselves and how they relate to the world.
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Primary objectives
We aim to:
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Build a culture of care that supports every child.
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Ensure every student reaches their full academic potential.
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Enable every child to find and develop a co-curricular passion.
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Equip students with the employability and enterprise skills to succeed in a rapidly changing modern workplace.
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Help students engage constructively to form their own perspectives on complex societal issues, while always respecting other viewpoints.
Fulfil the College values of Engagement, Compassion, Resilience and Collaboration.
To support these educational aims, the College seeks to:
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Maintain a school at optimal size and with a healthy co-educational balance.
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Recruit, retain and develop outstanding staff.
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Engage parents in strong parent-school partnerships through effective communication and building high-trust relationships.
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Widen access to the College through building the endowment for means-tested bursaries.
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Invest in the campus infrastructure and facilities to deliver educational aims and ensure operational efficiency.
A World Ready Education | Ardingly College
Public Benefit
Within the objects, the College aims to create an environment to nurture children, to get the best from them and to allow them to develop and fulfil their potential. We provide them with a first class independent education and a wide range of sporting and artistic opportunities. Our public benefit aim is that all pupils will be self-confident and desire to contribute to the wider community.
In the furtherance of these aims Ardingly College Governors, as the charity trustees, have complied general and relevant sub-sector guidance concerning the operation of the public benefit requirement under that Act.
Our College welcomes pupils from all backgrounds. To admit a prospective pupil we need to be satisfied that our College will be able to educate and develop a prospective pupil to the best of their potential and in line with the general standards achieved by their peers. Entrance interviews and assessments are undertaken to satisfy ourselves and parents that potential pupils can cope with the ethnicity, race, religion or disability do not form part of our assessment processes.
Our College is a part of a wider community and we are keen that our staff and pupils participate. Our College also offers a resource to support a range of educational activities for the benefit of local children attending state schools and their teachers. Our Governors are committed to developing our programme of cooperation and joint working with local maintained sector junior and secondary schools. The and performa
Woodard and its schools provide a significant benefit to the public. The College strives to ensure that measures of public benefit are appropriate, and that significant sections of the public are not excluded from the opportunity to benefit from the education and facilities offered due to the need to pay a fee. In addition to significant provision of bursaries and other forms of financial support, the College provides a wide range of opportunities for community benefit and facilities and events are often open to all. Further detail of the public benefit offered is included
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It is a key requirement of evidencing public benefit that any private benefit to individuals or elements of the charity will be incidental to the charity's objectives. An example of private benefit may be the reimbursement of travelling expenses for trustees attending training courses: any private benefit to individuals or elements of Woodard are incidental to delivery of the charitable objectives.
Bursaries
The Governors are committed to broadening access to education at the College by offering to eligible parents/guardians means-tested financial support with the payment of College fees. The College runs two bursarial schemes; Means-tested and Transformational. Transformational bursaries are specifically for talented and ambitious young people who have experienced significant disadvantage or who have been displaced. All bursaries are usually awarded as a percentage of fees, deducted from tuition fees, and are dependent on the financial circumstances of applicants. The discount awarded ranges from 5% to 100% of tuition fees. The bursary fund comes from legacies from alumni as well as donations from parents and supporters of the College. The College is extremely grateful to all those who contribute to supporting bursary pupils to access and enjoy the educational opportunities provided by the College.
The College is mindful that it must ensure a balance between fee-paying parents, many of whom make Therefore, the College has a duty to make sure that bursaries are awarded to families with demonstrable
The College also sets aside an annual hardship fund, for cases of sudden unforeseen need or where applications meriting bursary assistance are received out of the normal calendar cycle for bursary submission, scrutiny and award. The sum varies from year to year and is set within budgetary constraints. Information about fee assistance through bursaries is provided to all applying to the College. Further details regarding bursaries are available on request.
In 2024-25, the College funded a total of thirty-eight students on means-tested bursaries and seven students on transformational bursaries. A total of seven pupils received full remission of fees. The value of means tested bursaries totalled £360,939 and the value of other bursaries, including those for whom
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our transformational bursaries and have awarded 2 fully-funded boarding places to date. We continue to work towards having one Springboard pupil in each year of our senior school.
Scholarships
The purpose of our scholarship awards is to recognise high academic potential or the ability to excel in our copotential or evidence of exceptional abilities which will contribute to our co-curricular activities. In addition, awards may be subject to conditions imposed by the original donor.
The school awarded scholarships to 311 pupils, based on their educational merit and potential, totalling £685,069 and representing 2% of our gross fees. Of this number, 14 also qualified for means-tested bursary support and are included in the figures relating to bursary awards.
The progress of pupils receiving scholarships is reviewed at least annually to ensure their progress is in line with their abilities. No scholarships were withdrawn in the year as a result of reviews.
Equal Opportunities/Employment Policy
Ardingly College is committed to greater awareness of, and concerted action around, the need for increased diversity, equity and inclusion in our College community.
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The College, led by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) department, continues to demonstrate its commitment to EDI, building on the successes of last year through continued auditing, staff training, engagement and organisation of EDI cultural and educational events. The College continues to seek feedback from the College community and the annual Staff Survey includes a specific section relating to belonging and inclusion which enables the annual review and benchmarking of our work in this area.
Engagement with Suppliers, Customers and Others in a Business Relationship with Ardingly College
Ardingly College seeks to engage actively and positively with all stakeholders in the local community and in the wider educational landscape. Collaborative relationships with suppliers, parents, educational operations.
During the year the group has further promoted this engagement though specific initiatives including:
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Regular communication and engagement with parents and prospective parents of pupils attending Ardingly College to enhance the understanding of the provision to each pupil and to fully coordinate support to pupils from parents and schools.
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Engagement with other educational organisations and partners at local and national levels to share best practice and to provide peer support.
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Seeking regular communication with all suppliers and ensuring good commercial practices of prompt payment and clear communication to optimise arrangements for supply of goods and services to Ardingly College.
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Promoting and encouraging pupil and staff opportunities to engage in local voluntary and other projects to support the community.
How the Board Complies with Section 172 of the Companies Act
Promoting the success of the charitable group
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the directors to act in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the charitable group to achieve its charitable purposes. The Act states that in doing so, the directors should have regard, amongst other matters, to:
The likely consequence of any decision in the long term
Ardingly College makes all key decisions through reference to its long-term strategic plan and after projecting the timing and impact of such decisions. This strategy is primarily designed around the objective to improve the educational outcome for pupils. Every decision and strategy or policy adopted is regularly reviewed for its impact on stakeholders, and the need for any change is identified and implemented.
Our employees are vital to Ardingly College and we regard ongoing, regular engagement with them as which is made up of fourteen appointed employee representatives each representing a different constituency of the College workforce. The purpose of Staff Voice is to facilitate the exchange of views and establishment of dialogue between the College leadership and staff, to enable us to work collaboratively to get the best outcomes for us all, ensuring that everyone is well informed and can have their voice heard. The College also seeks employee engagement through regular feedback and meetings, including formal appraisals as well as our annual Staff Survey. We address any issues raised by our employees as quickly as possible and communicate back to them what we have done. Staff are offered access to support, and all parts of Ardingly College seek to ensure that staff welfare is actively considered and addressed. Through application of up-to-date health and safety policies, and regular meetings and consultations, we also actively seek to ensure that the working environment meets necessary high standards of safety and security.
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Our relationships with partners and suppliers are key to our effectiveness. Ardingly College actively seeks to engage in service reviews with key suppliers, and the Woodard procurement manager assists in this process for business-critical activities. These reviews are focused on a two-way relationship with Ardingly College based with an aim of helping one another to achieve an optimum service as efficiently as possible, achieving best value for money. Where Ardingly College has procured outsourced services, we seek to ensure that staff and management from that contractor are supported as an equal member of the College community, and as stakeholders.
We recognise our responsibility to care for the environment and aim to minimise our environmental impact in all our activities. As well as covering environmental issues in our college curriculums, Ardingly College encourages staff and pupils to participate in initiatives to reduce negative environmental impacts. The College promotes recycling of waste and is involved in actions to maximise efficiency in energy consumption.
The desirability of the group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct
Our reputation and public trust in Ardingly College are fundamental to our future success. Our ethos and values are a fundamental part of employee recruitment and training to ensure that we maintain high standards; the same basis is used in appraisal processes. We apply similar values and procedures in choosing school partners and suppliers both in the UK and abroad.
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Group Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting
| Energy consumption used to calculate emissions (kWh) Energy consumption break down (kWh): Scope 1emissions in metric tonnes CO2e plant & machinery Total Scope 1 Scope 2emissions in metric tonnes CO2e Scope 3emissions in metric tonnes CO2e Business travel in employee-owned vehicles Total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e Before Offset Intensity ratio Tonnes CO2e per pupil Before Offset Out of Scope Emissions in metric Tonnes of CO2e Biomass Combustion Engine Fuels Offset Emissions in metric Tonnes of CO2e Total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e After Offset Intensity ratio Tonnes CO2e per pupil After Offset |
2025 8,080,167 4,300,309 172,435 2,969,459 170,190 467,774 787 43 2 111 943 526 3 1,472 1.14 60 6 60 1 1 0 62 1.1 |
2024 8,165,297 4,238,128 118,381 2,680,183 671,010 457,595 782 29 7 109 |
|---|---|---|
| 927 555 2 |
||
| 1,484 | ||
| 1.46 235 7 235 540 - - |
||
| 945 | ||
| 0.9 |
Group reporting requires us to include all subsidiaries and related companies that qualify. The numbers above include all qualifying subsidiaries and related companies, being Ardingly College Limited, Ardingly Projects Limited and Ardingly College International Limited.
Quantification and reporting methodology
We have followed the 2019 HM Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines. We have also used the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Protocol Corporate Standard and the 2023 UK Government's Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.
Intensity measurement
The chosen intensity measurement ratio is total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e per pupil.
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Measures taken to improve efficiency
During the year, school implemented a number of initiatives to improve the efficiency of energy use. These included:
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Reviews of light fittings across the campus to seek alternatives, and installation of LED lighting where possible.
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Encouraging staff, through communication and signage, to turn off lights and ensure windows and doors are closed when exiting rooms or installing motion sensors so that lighting is only on when rooms are being used.
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Replacement of old inefficient gas boilers with more efficient condensing boilers and air source heat pumps.
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Adjusting timers on lighting and heating systems to minimise the energy demand when not required or to minimise the time delays on switch off timers to minimum practical levels.
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Initiatives through reviews of school travel plans and bus routes to encourage pupils to travel from home to school provided transport and encouraging staff to car-share.
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Extending the scope and encouraging use of the bus routes to reduce the number of pupils travelling to school by car.
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Encouraging staff to change their travel patterns to significantly reduce their travel to and from work by car or public transport. Urging measures such as the use of bicycles and walking as an alternative mode of travel as well as the continuous promotion of the cycle to work scheme.
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Replacement of diesel-powered maintenance vehicles and minibuses with fully electric vehicles.
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Commissioning energy audit reports allowing review of current installations and assessment of ways to improve energy usage moving forward.
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Review and update of Sustainability Strategies
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Including energy efficiency as a high priority item construction project design and build with underfloor heating, energy controls, PV panels and air source heat pumps.
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Encouraging staff, through communication, to turn down radiators.
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Further reinforcement of groups established to promote sustainability thinking and action.
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Undertaking surveys to identify significant modifications to ensure buildings are safe and in good condition and then undertaking remedial work to increase insulation and energy efficiency.
Going forward the school is engaging in a number of projects to improve energy efficiency in future years as follows:
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Engagement with the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) to identify possible areas for energy saving.
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Creation of long-term energy efficiency plans.
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Including energy efficiency as a high priority item in construction of new buildings with consideration of underfloor heating, energy controls, solar panels and battery storage.
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Ongoing review of settings and the operation of building management systems to ensure that energy use is minimised according to the need of pupils and staff.
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Installation of campus-wide building management systems to optimise energy usage.
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Replacement of diesel-powered equipment with electric items.
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Encouraging staff to use school provided transport, public transport and bicycles as an alternative mode of transport including promotion of Cycle to Work schemes.
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Encouraging staff to minimise travel and promoting the use of technology for meetings and other communications.
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Creation of sustainability groups and appointment of sustainability champions in departments and houses.
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Staff and student awareness training on energy management.
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Seek to identify opportunities for solar power generation at the school sites.
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STRATEGIC REPORT
Review of Achievements and Performance for the Year
Pupil numbers
| Senior School Prep School (Ardingly) Prep School (Great Walstead) Total Senior School Prep School (Ardingly) Prep School (Great Walstead) Total |
2024/2025 842 (309 boarders) 178 (0 boarders) 276 (0 boarders) 1,296 2024/2025 Boys Girls 468 374 97 81 147 129 712 584 |
2023/2024 821 (311 boarders) 199 (0 boarders) - 1,020 2023/2024 Boys Girls 439 382 105 94 - - 544 476 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Pupil numbers are presented excluding Pre-Nursery and Nursery pupils and following the merger on 1 November 2024, also now include Great Walstead Prep school numbers, on the same basis.
Academic Results
Ardingly students once again achieved outstanding outcomes in the 2025 examinations. Both the ever results, with record numbers achieving the top grades.
GCSE highlights:
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76% of entries were graded 9-7 (the equivalent of A* or A grade), up from 72% in 2024
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Average grade of 7.44, the highest ever average
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53% of all grades were graded 9s or 8s
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100% of the GCSE cohort qualified for continuation into the Sixth Form
A-Level and IB Diploma highlights:
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IB Diploma average of 40.1, the highest ever score and placing the College in the top 10 in the world, and top 5 in the UK.
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85% of entries achieved A*-B or the IB equivalent 7-5 (89% in 2024).
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61% of results were awarded the top two grades of A*-A (A-Level) and 7-6 (IB)
BTEC highlights:
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18 entries in Business Studies and Sports Management
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50% of entries were awarded a Distinction (equivalent to an A at A Level)
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100% of entries awarded Distinction or Distinction (equivalent A/A at A Level).
Ardingly College uses added value as a measure of educational progress. Added value measures of their course and the grade they actually achieved.
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Ardingly College has demonstrated exceptional value-added performance across both A Level and GCSE, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence. At GCSE, the value-added score places the College in the top 1% of schools nationally, with students, on average, achieving one grade higher than their expected grade. At A Level, the value-added score places the College in the top 10% nationally. This indicates that students are making significantly better progress than their prior attainment would predict, with many exceeding their expected grades by approximately a third of a grade or more. This consistent track record across both key stages highlights the effectiveness of teaching and learning strategies, as well as the strong support provided to students, enabling them to achieve beyond expectations.
Academic co-curricular success
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Maths: 32 students achieved Gold certificates in the UK Intermediate Challenge, with four qualifying for the UK Maths Olympiad (top 200 out of 230,000); Seven senior students competed in the Senior UK Maths Olympiad, with one achieving a Distinction and qualifying for the final round (top 100 Maths students in the country).
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Computer Science: 35 students achieved Gold Certificates in the Bebras International Computational Thinking Challenge.
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An Ardingly student won the Sussex University Politics Essay competition, in which she Another student gained third
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place in the Richard III essay competition.
University admission 2025
The most popular universities for Ardingly College leavers this year were Kings and Exeter (8 each), Bristol and Durham (6 each) and Imperial, UCL and QMU (5 each). Four Oxbridge students achieved their offers for Music (Cambridge), Natural Sciences (Cambridge), Classics (Cambridge) and French and Philosophy (Oxford). Thirteen students from this cohort have been accepted at overseas universities; five have places at a wide variety of very well-regarded US universities (U Penn, UC Berkeley, NYU, University of Chicago and Swarthmore) and others will be attending universities in France, Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain and Australia. One student has gained a place on a joint degree, doing two years at Sciences Po in France and two years at Columbia.
Students graduating from Ardingly enrolled in 2025 in a very broad range of courses, from Music to Mechanical Engineering, Politics to Product Design and Fashion to English and French Law. 56% of students applied to Humanities courses and 44% applied to STEM related courses, a very similar split compared to
A significant number of students have elected to take a gap year with some holding deferred offers and others intending to apply to university during their gap year. Some of these students are currently in the process of applying to very competitive universities with a view to commencing their courses in September 2026.
Student Futures: Enterprise and Employability
beyond school as well as achieve success whilst at school. 2024-25 saw a major shift in the C career provision away from traditional career guidance to an Enterprise, Employability and Entrepreneurship function for all year groups to support their development for the job roles of the future.
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The College was delighted to win two awards for its provision for Student Futures:
1. Independent School of the Year Award for Student Careers
2. Best Preparation for Life Award 2025 in The Week School Guide.
won the Imperial College Entrepreneurial Challenge,
details of which can be found below.
Examples of
provision include:
Life Skills Week
This takes place in the final week of the academic year, in which students take part in a variety of employability workshops.
Year 7 discovered the job roles of the past, how they have developed into present day careers and predicted how these may change or be eliminated in the future.
Year 8 - JCB Challenge machine of the future for their chosen sector. They identified a problem that their machine could fix and considered how their machine would support sustainability, before creating a marketing strategy to launch their new machine to JCB customers and clients.
Year 9&10 - Employability Skills . Students took part in an employability skills workshop in which they uncovered potential jobs of the future using labour market intelligence. They took part in a variety of activities where they learned about recruitment and developed their interview skills.
One Day Job Challenge - Students prepared for and attended interviews with 15 professionals. As part of the day, they attended presentations from current staff members who had interesting and, for some, unconventional careers before becoming a teacher.
Future Options Week
The inaugural Future Options Week, which will become an annual event, took place in September where all year groups had the opportunity to take part in activities, presentations, workshops and 1:1's to explore careers and enterprise opportunities. All workshops and presentations were voluntary and took place during lunchtimes and after school, so we were delighted to have 50-200 students attend each session.
World Ready Passport
During Future Options Week, we launched our World Ready Passport, which is a digital platform where all senior students now record their cocurricular activities and academic achievements throughout their time at Ardingly College, to create an evidence-based portfolio, which will eventually support UCAS and job applications.
Using their World Ready Passport, the students can complete psychometric testing, explore career paths, create CVs, practise presentation and interview skills, complete virtual work experience and work-related learning, whilst shaping their future by setting goals via interactive planning sessions. It really is a one-stop-virtual-shop for all things enterprise, employability and entrepreneurship!
One of the most popular features is the ability to upload opportunities for the students. This has developed into a catalogue of work experience, internships and employer insight sessions to support the students with informed decision making as to their careers and higher education subjects.
Enterprise and Employability Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors lead on a variety of projects, designed to prepare our students for career paths and success in a world that doesn't yet exist.
Pitch to Parents
Years 8 & 9 took part in their annual Pitch to Parents competition where they showcased their entrepreneurial and presentation skills.
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Work Experience
Students now have access to over 100 virtual work experience opportunities via their World Ready Passport. Many of these opportunities are on-demand, so can be completed at their leisure. Labour Market Intelligence strongly suggests that employers highly value candidates who have taken part in a variety of work experience, particularly virtual, and 'a-day-in-the-life-of' days as this shows that they have made an informed decision over their career choice.
Students in Years 11, 12 & 13 completed work experience at Chailey Heritage Foundation and the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, which had a fiercely competitive application process.
Apprenticeships
In February, we launched The Apprenticeship Academy, designed and facilitated online by The Careers People for Years 11-13. This is a robust program, which we will run 3 times per academic year (February, June & September) where students hear from 6 employers and learn all there is to know about apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy
We are delighted to announce that we were selected to be part of a pilot scheme for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy accredited by UCL School of Management and in partnership with The Institute of Education and the King's Trust. The academy was open to all students aged 11-17 who are interested in developing their entrepreneurial skills. 14 students graduated from the programme and received a CV-enhancing certificate accredited by UCL School of Management.
Imperial College Entrepreneurship Competition
In partnership with Imperial College and The Hustle Lab (founded by one of our OAs), we were invited to take part in an innovation challenge. Students aged 13-18 worked in small groups to design a business idea to tackle world poverty using AI. We were delighted that the team won this competition.
Immerse Education Scholarships
Four students who won scholarships to the Immerse Education Summer Schools with their entries to the Immerse Future Innovators Scholarship Competition. Students submitted their ideas in Leadership & Business, STEM and Medicine or Social Sciences & Humanities by way of a video pitch.
Co-curricular highlights
st XI finalists in the Tier 2 National Cup.
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Football Cup.
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1[st]
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Netball U18s and U16s reached the semi-finals of regional SISNA competition.
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10 fencing students represented the South-East at the British Youth Fencing Championships.
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Athletics: 39 individual medals in the Diamond League series (21 Gold, 15 Silver, 3 Bronze). 15 Ardingly students are representing Ouse Valley District team in the Sussex Championships. qualifying by 0.07 seconds!
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Fencing team of eight students competed well at the British Youth Fencing Championships. Duke of Edinburgh: 113 Year 9 pupils (out of a year group of 138) participated in a preexpedition training day (map navigation, keeping dry and outdoor cooking).
Partnerships
In the academic year 2024-25 College students and staff engaged actively in partnership work with the following local primary schools in mid Sussex:
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St Giles Primary School, Horsted Keynes
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Cowfold Primary School, Cowfold
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West Hoathly Primary School, West Hoathly
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Blackthorns Primary School, Lindfield
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Danehill Primary School, Danehill
The following Primary School partnership activity in the above schools made a significantly positive contribution to support the education of children attending these primary schools. This included academic learning and widening their social and academic horizons, as follows:
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L6th Maths mentoring for YR5/6 primary school children
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Maths team teaching to YR4
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Teams Maths Challenge event
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KS2 Science teaching
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Prep STEM afterschool club for YR5/6
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Science week joint events
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MFL teacher support
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Girls On Board programme to YR4 girls
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Ready, set, dance event
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Hockey/Footie Stars
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KS1 Cricket Tournament
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KS2 Girls Football Festival
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YR3 Sports Day
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Use of College minibuses
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Use of College swimming pool (school charged for instructors)
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Singing Assemblies
The College also ran the following partnerships activities with local secondary schools:
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Warden Park Academy: Students Supporting Students project (EAL support) Oathall Community College: Author visit event
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Bantridge School: Careers day workshop
Volunteering
Over 529 students engaged in volunteering at least once during the year. 173 students committed to weekly volunteering either on-site or off-site. Regular on-site volunteering:
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Pre-Prep Clubs
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Prep Clubs
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Mentoring scheme
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Librarian support
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Hockey/Footie Stars Bridging Ages Café
Regular off-site volunteering
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Warden Park Students Supporting Students EAL support
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Classroom support
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Care Homes
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Charity Shops
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Chailey Heritage School
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One-off volunteering experiences:
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Goddenwick Farm Fundraiser day
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Village food parcel sorting/packing
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Cedar Lodge Music concerts
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Art Project Twineham school STEM workshops Campsite setup Inspiring Young Minds Day YR10 Volunteering day
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Music/Drama/Dance on tour visiting schools & Care Homes St Peter & St James Hospice & Distribution Centre
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JubyLee Bakes
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Pelican Parcels
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Farm on the Forest
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Care Homes Local Primary Schools Kangaroos Children's Disability Charity Burgess Hill Pantry
Ardingly College Prep School and Great Walstead School Overview
Ardingly College Prep School
The 202 ~~4 2~~ 025 academic year marked a period of purposeful transformation for Ardingly College Prep School under new leadership. A refreshed structure built around the core pillars of Pastoral, Academic, and Co-Curricular life has strengthened strategic direction and enhanced the pupil experience across all areas of school life.
Staff collaborated to develop a new Learning Habitudes and Values framework, embedding the skills -curricular, enquiry-based curriculum launching in September 2025, designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
Significant investment in facilities created modern, flexible classrooms for Years 4 ~~6~~ , expanded Nursery provision, and improved outdoor learning spaces. Lesson timings were restructured to maximise depth of learning, and new subjects such as Dance and weekly swimming were introduced
Enterprise Week brought innovation and teamwork to life through creative projects, business challenges, and STEM-focused activities. Music, drama, and sport all flourished, with pupils performing, competing, and achieving success across a range of events.
The rebranded Learning Enhancement Department now supports both pupils requiring additional help and those needing greater challenge, ensuring that every child receives tailored, inclusive support.
Ardingly College Prep ends the year with strong momentum, a renewed sense of purpose, and a clear vision for delivering a world-class preparatory education.
Great Walstead School
In November 2024, Great Walstead School proudly joined the Ardingly College Family of Schools, formalising a long-standing relationship built on shared values and educational excellence. The partnership has been warmly received by parents, staff, and pupils, and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter of collaboration and growth.
The School celebrated its Centenary Year in style, honouring a century of learning, community, and adventure. A revived programme of Lantern Lectures brought parents and friends together for engaging evening events, while pupils re-enacted 1920s-style lessons and activities on Centenary Day from a bygone era.
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The senior school production of Bugsy Malone transported audiences back to the roaring 1920s, while the return of the much-loved Walstock Festival united the school community and alumni for a day of music, classic cars, food, and sunshine-filled celebration.
creativity, and character in every pupil. Outdoor learning remains central to school life, with 265 acres of woodland, streams, and secret gardens providing endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
This year, pupils achieved 17 senior school scholarships, including academic, sport, music, and even a chess award. Several were also recognised with Ardingly Family of Schools Scholarships to continue their education at Ardingly College. Every leaver secured a place at their chosen senior school.
As Great Walstead celebrates 100 years of excellence and looks ahead as part of the Ardingly College Family, it remains a joyful, nurturing community where children grow in confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Investment Policy and Objectives
The Articles of Association permit funds to be invested in such manner as the directors see fit, providing that advice has been obtained from a financial expert and providing that such powers of investment consider the suitability of investments and the need for diversification.
The College currently holds investments with Hargreaves Lansdown, which originate from a legacy is seeking to continue to grow the overall fund to generate income to fund bursaries. The investment policy is currently under review to broaden the scope of the investments and more actively manage the portfolio.
The investment policy also sets out the ethical and sustainability ethos and whilst it currently does not impose an ethical investment target, it is expected that the ethos will develop over time. Wherever possible, investments will not be made in equities or funds which involve the following industries: Arms; Tobacco; Gambling; Child exploitation; Adult entertainment; and investments will be made so as not to breach the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.
Cash funds from donations and legacies have also been placed in a number of higher-interest charitable deposit funds in order to improve returns.
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
Ardingly College does not hold funds or act as custodian trustee on behalf of others.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Results for the Year
Total income for the year amounted to £45.1m, of which £9.8m comprises the Great Walstead net assets assimilated in the merger. The operating surplus on all College activities, including the subsidiary businesses but excluding the Great Walstead net assets, decreased to £1.2m from £2.4m last year. This surplus has been achieved whilst absorbing a significant amount of the VAT introduced on school fees from January 2025, with fees increased by just 5% at that point. Gross fee income for the year increased by 11.7% from last year, with the addition of 276 Great Walstead pupils from November 2024 and an increase of 21 Senior school pupils counteracting the same reduction in Prep school numbers. Total fee remissions reduced to 7.3% of gross fees from 8.0% last year, demonstrating our drive to limit the total value of scholarships awarded in favour of more impactful means-tested
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bursaries. The two subsidiary companies returned a combined profit of £241k in the year, less than the £522k profit in the previous year. Ardingly Projects Limited generated a profit of £355k to be covenanted to the College. Ardingly College International Limited was loss-making in the year and so will not make a covenant payment. Investments also increased in value by £103.9k this year, compared with £162.7k in the year to 31 August 2024.
Ardingly Projects Limited had a very successful year, exceeding £2m of trading income for the first time. This represents a 14 .8m. The company purchased the business of the Ardingly Activity Centre for £450k in December 2024. The business operates watersports and leisure activities from Ardingly Reservoir, and Ardingly Projects has invested in improving the facilities to grow income in the years ahead. Cashflow generated in the year meant that Ardingly Projects Limited was able to repay the £561k intercompany balance owed to the College and to pay a further £397.6k -end was £297.5k. The Board has reviewed the forecasts and with agreements in place for the 2025 booking periods, considers that the business should be viewed as a going concern.
overseas, had a less successful year, generating total income of £258.8k compared with £448.8k last year. In an increasingly challenging sector, the company generated a loss of £114.3k and consequently will not be making a covenant payment to Ardingly College this year. The Board has confidence in the new opportunities which are emerging in new markets and positive discussions are underway with potential partners. The Board looks forward to a return to profit in 2025-26. Although the company will be reliant on the support of Ardingly College Limited for the year ahead, the Board considers that the future prospects give them confidence that the business should be viewed as a going concern.
Group total funds increased by £11m, to £34.5m for the year. The DB pension scheme has continued in surplus this year and, as last year, it has been agreed not to reflect this asset in the SOFA due to the long-term nature of the liabilities and the volatility of discount rates.
The parents of our pupils often make significant sacrifices to pay the fees. In doing so they help to relieve the state of the financial burden of educating 877 UK-based children. The saving is estimated to have a value in the last year of £7.2m.
The College is now able to recover the VAT on purchases it makes. Even so, since the introduction of VAT on school fees in January 2025, Ardingly College Limited has paid £4.7m in VAT to HMRC.
In addition to the very substantial benefits our College brings to our pupils, the local community and society through the education we offer, our bursary and outreach programmes create a social asset without cost to the Exchequer.
Reserves Level and Policy, and Financial Viability
provided for the benefit of pupils. The aim is to budget in order to provide sufficient working capital to meet the present needs and cover any unexpected revenue shortfall.
The balance sheet contains a number of cash and longer-term liabilities. Unrestricted funds increased by £1.7m (excluding the net assets acquired in the merger with Great Walstead) to total £33.2m, as shown in note 22. The College plans to fund longer-term capital expenditure and meet long term liabilities through careful management of resources and investments and through building reserves rily invested in tangible
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fixed assets which are all used for its direct charitable activities. The College does not have and cannot therefore rely on significant income from an endowment.
In common with most independent schools, and due to the need to fund their own capital plans, free total reserves of £34.5m at the year-end included £282k of endowed funds, £973k of restricted funds and £33.3m of unrestricted funds, of which £2.25m are designated funds. viability does not depend on income reserves, but in its ability to continue to trade at a surplus on an annual basis, and on the substantial portfolio of fixed assets held for operational use.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The independent sector as a whole is currently subject to increased political risk following the introduction of VAT on school fees, and the removal of business rates relief. The introduction of VAT creates a level of uncertainty in business planning for all independent schools. Planning future income based on pupil numbers has become more difficult due to an increased level of uncertainty in demand. The full effect will not be known until levels of demand settle down, schools adapt and parents become more secure in their finances. This is unlikely to happen for a number of pupil recruitment cycles. The Governors have taken steps to mitigate the potential attrition of pupil numbers by seeking to share the VAT burden across the College community. A two-year fee strategy has been developed and communicated to parents, which divides the net VAT impact between the College and parents. Gross fees have been increased by 5% in January 2025, and a further 5% in September 2025, alongside the usual inflationary increase.
The Governing Body is responsible for the identification and management of risks. Council is supported by the College Executive in reviewing risks faced by the College. Risks (including other regulatory and operational) are identified and assessed by means of a Risk Register and controls monitored and updated throughout the year.
The key controls used by the charity include:
Articles for the Board and detailed terms of reference for all Board committees
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Formal agendas for all committee and Board meetings Comprehensive budgeting and management accounting
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Review and approval at College Executive and Governor level of key policies
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Safeguarding and vetting procedures as required by law for the protection of the vulnerable
Regular consideration of the Risk Register.
The principal risks and uncertainties for the College and the mitigation strategies in place include the following:
Pupil demand
The introduction of VAT and general fee affordability continues to remain a dominant risk facing the College, as is the signal that birth rates continue to fall across the South-East. Parental interest in the College is high however, it is recognised that conversion rates can be improved, which forms a fundamental element of the new marketing strategy.
Regulatory non-compliance
The Management Compliance Committee meets termly throughout the year according to a prescribed agenda to monitor all aspects of regulatory compliance and reports termly to the Risk and Safeguarding Governor Committee. Key policies are reviewed annually by the College Executive and Governor Committees approve significant changes. Safeguarding and Child Protection, Health & Safety and AntiBullying policies are reviewed and signed off annually by Council.
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Health and Safety and Data controls
Health and Safety is always a significant area for risk management. The risks range from fire and damage to infrastructure, to personal risks (most notably when away from the campus on trips and expeditions.) The level and breadth of activity of the College is impressive and the risks associated with all activities are minimised by thorough planning and risk assessment.
Board and committee composition
The Governing Body regularly reviews the skills matrix to identify potential experience or skill gaps. Conflicts of interest are declared and monitored and required checks are made on prospective Governors prior to appointment. The Nominations & Governance Committee is tasked with overseeing the composition and process by which Governors are introduced, vetted and approved.
Financial risk management objectives and policies
The College uses financial instruments, comprising loans, cash and other liquid resources and other items such as trade debtors and creditors that arise directly from operations.
The Directors adopt policies for managing each of the risks and these are summarised below:
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Liquidity risk the College seeks to manage financial risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs by negotiating adequate facilities from banks and other lenders.
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Interest rate risk the College has mitigated its risk to interest rate fluctuations by maintaining one fixed rate loan and through active treasury management of cash balances.
GOING CONCERN
The College continues to operate at a surplus, with total net income of £11.2m in the year to 31 August 2025 and total funds of £34.6m. Ardingly Projects Limited has also returned a profit, which will be gifted in January 2025, the College committed to sharing the VAT burden with parents, increasing fees by just 5%, which was very well-received. Pupil numbers are therefore encouraging and, although total numbers have remained static year-on year, excluding the additional Great Walstead pupils, demand remains buoyant. Having considered all factors and reviewing the available evidence, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group will be able to continue operating for the foreseeable future and the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Further details related to the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies on page 34.
EMPLOYEE CONSULTATION
facilitates the exchange of views and
establishment of dialogue between the College leadership and staff. Staff Voice consists of fourteen elected employee representatives, each of whom represents a different area of the College.
The purpose of Staff Voice is to enable us to work collaboratively to get the best outcomes for us all, ensuring that everyone is well informed and can have their voice heard.
Staff Voice aims to provide a forum that:
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enables all staff to identify & contribute ideas to resolve issues affecting the employees of Ardingly College and facilitates an effective dialogue between staff and Senior Management.
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enables effective communication of information within Ardingly College, both horizontally and vertically.
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- acts as a reference group for Senior Management, providing feedback on proposals and issues which affect staff and their working environment (e.g., policies, procedures, terms and conditions, working practices and other relevant employee issues).
Staff Voice is not a decision-making body but is engaged to assist the decision-making process by providing management and staff representatives with sufficient information to allow each other to prepare, formulate an opinion, and receive feedback on that opinion.
Staff Voice meetings take place once every half term and the minutes are shared with all staff.
Ardingly College seeks feedback from staff through an annual staff survey. The results of the survey are shared with all staff and an action plan is then formulated in collaboration with Staff Voice and Senior Leadership to address key priorities.
The Head of the College and other members of the College leadership team meets with all staff prior to the start of each term to provide information on matters of interest/concern, including the academic and financial performance of the College and major capital projects being undertaken.
The College is keen to encourage employee participation in communication of matters of concern to them. On a weekly basis each of the schools hosts a meeting with staff from that school to discuss issues affecting staff and pupils. The Operations Staff team also meets for a coffee break meeting every fortnight where key messages are shared.
Where there is any major development affecting the terms and conditions of members of staff, the College holds consultation meetings with affected employees in advance of any major change strategy in line with the communication and consultation policy.
FUTURE PLANS
The College is strongly placed to continue its broad and specialist educational provision across academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision. Admissions at various age entry points is resilient, with healthy enrolment from local, regional and international schools as both day and boarding pupils.
Future plans include delivery of the College Strategy Towards 2030 , developing the integration of Great Walstead into the Ardingly Family of Schools and ensuring strong relationships between the College
Ben Figgis resigned as Head of College in September 2025. The Governing Body have appointed an experienced Head of College, Alastair Tighe, to take up the post from September 2026.
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DIRECTORS
The directors who served during the year, and the committees of which they were members during the year, are:
| J Adams (Chair) | Appointed 1 September 2024. Appointed Chair from 24 February 2025. |
Risk & Safeguarding; Finance; Education & Pastoral; Estates; People & Culture; Nominations & Governance |
|---|---|---|
| C Baty | Resigned 9 December 2024 | Education & Pastoral; Risk & Safeguarding; People & Culture; Nominations & Governance |
| S Bradshaw | Education & Pastoral; Risk & Safeguarding. (Deputy SafeguardingGovernor). |
|
| V Cameron | Finance, Estates; People & Culture; Nominations & Governance |
|
| S Champkin | Risk & Safeguarding; Estates | |
| R Davis | Appointed 27 June 2025 | Finance |
| G Dixon | Risk & Safeguarding; Estates; Finance; Nominations & Governance. (Health & Safety Governor and Boarding Governor) |
|
| L Flynn | Resigned 17 June 2025 | Education & Pastoral (Prep Governor) |
| D Foster | Education & Pastoral; Risk & Safeguarding (Safeguarding Governor) |
|
| E Francis | Appointed 1 November 2024 | Risk & Safeguarding |
| S Holliday | Appointed 28 November 2024 | Finance; Estates |
| G Holmes | Education & Pastoral; People & Culture | |
| F Kempf | (IB Governor) Finance | |
| J Martin | Appointed Chair from 1 September 2024. Resigned Chair 24 February 2025 |
Finance; People & Culture; Education & Pastoral. (Mental Health & Wellbeing Governor) |
| R Martin | Estates; Finance; Nominations & Governance | |
| F Nuttall | Education & Pastoral; People & Culture (Enterprise & Employability Governor) |
|
| R Sutlow | Appointed 27 June 2025 | Finance |
None of the directors has any beneficial interest in the company. Ardingly College purchases
Exemptions from disclosure
Ardingly College has not taken advantage of any exemption from disclosure in relation to trustee details.
AUDITORS
Moore Kingston Smith LLP, having expressed their willingness to continue in office, will be deemed reappointed for the next financial year in accordance with section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006 unless the company receives notice under section 488(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
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DIRECTORS’ REPORT ( incorporating the Strategic Report YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
Company law requires the directors to prepare group and company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law.
Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and the company and of the profit or loss of the group and the company for that period.
In preparing each of the group and company financial statements, the directors are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and,
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors confirm that:
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so far as each director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable
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the directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the Board of Directors of Ardingly College Limited on 30[th] January 2026 including, in their capacity as company directors, approving the Directors’ and Strategic Reports contained therein, and signed on its behalf by:
Jayne Adams CHAIR
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Ardingly College Limited (the for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Consolidated Statements of Financial Activities (including an Income and Expenditure Account)] Company Statements of Financial Activities (including an Income and Expenditure Account), the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the at 31 August 2025 and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We have been appointed auditors under the Companies Act 2006 and section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to 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
basis of accounting 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 parent from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
to report that fact. 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:
- Strategic
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Report prepared for the purposes of company law for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
have been
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prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in or the Strategic Report .
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of directors
24, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the
to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
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As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
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Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
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ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
-
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
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based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the group and continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence group or parent charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.
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Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
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Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit report.
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We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
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 misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.
Our approach was as follows:
-
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the charitable company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council.
-
We obtained an understanding of how the charitable company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
-
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
-
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of noncompliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
-
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
-
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
27
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR 3 S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Use of our report
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 body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Jonathan Aikens (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants 6th Floor 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP
Date: 18 February 2026
28
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
| Notes Income and endowments from: Charitable Activities School fees receivable 2 Ancillary trading income 3 Other trading activities Non-ancillary trading income 4 Investments Investment income 5 Bank and other interest 6 Other Grants and donations Grants and donations 7 Exceptional item 30 Other income TOTAL INCOME Expenditure on: Raising funds Non-ancillary trading 8 Financing costs 9 Fundraising and development TOTAL DEDUCTIBLE COSTS Charitable Activities Education and grant making 8 TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net gains on investment assets 13 Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 23 Other recognised gains/(losses) Pension scheme actuarial (losses)/gains 25 Net Movement in funds for the year Fund balances at 1st September FUND BALANCES AS AT 31ST AUGUST |
Unrestricted Funds £ 31,036,717 1,193,566 2,419,845 15,618 510,204 51,491 9,649,114 14,167 44,890,722 1,844,357 546,651 115,810 2,506,818 31,531,680 34,038,498 103,888 10,956,112 - - 10,956,112 22,296,302 33,252,414 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - 80,755 95,934 25,997 - 202,686 - - - - 149,132 149,132 - 53,554 - - 53,554 918,982 972,536 |
Endowed Funds £ - - - - 6,754 - - - 6,754 - - - - - - - 6,754 - - 6,754 274,850 281,604 |
Total 2025 £ 31,036,717 1,193,566 2,419,845 15,618 597,713 147,425 9,675,111 14,167 45,100,162 1,844,357 546,651 115,810 2,506,818 31,680,812 34,187,630 103,888 11,016,420 - - 11,016,420 23,490,134 34,506,554 |
Total 2024 £ 27,588,038 1,204,702 2,303,331 - 258,440 120,260 - 4,200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,478,971 | |||||
| 1,429,194 528,101 169,558 |
|||||
| 2,126,853 27,149,777 |
|||||
| 29,276,630 | |||||
| 162,742 | |||||
| 2,365,083 - - |
|||||
| 2,365,083 21,125,051 |
|||||
| 23,490,134 |
All amounts relate to continuing activities. All recognised gains and losses in the current and prior year are included in the statement of financial activities. The notes on pages 34 to 63 form part of these financial statements.
29
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CHARITY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
| Notes Income and endowments from: Charitable Activities School fees receivable 2 Ancillary trading income 3 Other trading activities Non-ancillary trading income 4 Investments Investment income 5 Bank and other interest 6 Other Grants and donations Grants and donations 7 Exceptional item 30 Other income TOTAL INCOME 26 Expenditure on: Raising funds Non-ancillary trading 8 Financing costs 9 Fundraising and development TOTAL DEDUCTIBLE COSTS Charitable Activities Education and grant making 8 TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net gains/(losses) on investment assets 13 Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 23 Other recognised gains/(losses) Pension scheme actuarial (losses)/gains 25 Net Movement in funds for the year Fund balances at 1st September FUND BALANCES AS AT 31ST AUGUST |
Unrestricted Funds £ 31,036,717 1,209,066 285,214 15,618 510,204 406,491 9,649,114 14,167 43,126,591 - 434,993 115,810 550,803 31,520,340 32,071,143 103,888 11,159,336 - - 11,159,336 22,213,204 33,372,540 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - 80,755 95,934 25,997 - 202,686 - - - - 149,132 149,132 - 53,554 - - 53,554 918,982 972,536 |
Endowed Funds £ - - - - 6,754 - - - 6,754 - - - - - - - 6,754 - - 6,754 274,850 281,604 |
Total 2025 £ 31,036,717 1,209,066 285,214 15,618 597,713 502,425 9,675,111 14,167 43,336,031 - 434,993 115,810 550,803 31,669,472 32,220,275 103,888 11,219,644 - - 11,219,644 23,407,036 34,626,680 |
Total 2024 £ 27,588,038 1,220,202 226,905 - 258,440 207,260 - 4,200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29,505,045 | |||||
| - 510,854 169,558 |
|||||
| 680,412 27,139,952 |
|||||
| 27,820,364 | |||||
| 162,742 | |||||
| 1,847,423 - - |
|||||
| 1,847,423 21,559,613 |
|||||
| 23,407,036 |
All amounts relate to continuing activities. All recognised gains and losses in the current and prior year are included in the statement of financial activities. The notes on pages 34 to 63 form part of these financial statements.
30
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED AND CHARITY BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2025
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 13 Intangible assets 13 Investments 14 Investment in subsidiaries CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors due within one year 15 Cash at bank and in hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors payable within one year 16 NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES LONG TERM LIABILITIES Creditors payable after one year 17 TOTAL NET ASSETS EXCLUDING PENSION ASSET/(LIABILITY) Net pension asset 26 NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY: CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL 21 ENDOWED FUNDS 24 RESTRICTED FUNDS 24 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS General reserve 24 |
Group 2025 £ 36,454,837 295,167 1,414,038 - 38,164,042 128,076 2,945,477 16,528,823 19,602,376 (13,611,948) 5,990,428 44,154,470 (9,647,816) 34,506,654 - 34,506,654 100 281,604 972,536 33,252,414 34,506,654 |
2024 £ 28,752,978 - 1,294,532 - 30,047,510 73,920 464,408 15,122,698 15,661,026 (11,426,723) 4,234,303 34,281,813 (10,791,579) 23,490,234 - 23,490,234 100 274,850 918,982 22,296,302 23,490,234 |
Charity 2025 £ 36,311,634 - 1,414,038 450,003 38,175,675 123,524 3,682,959 15,878,344 19,684,827 (13,585,906) 6,098,921 44,274,596 (9,647,816) 34,626,780 - 34,626,780 100 281,604 972,536 33,372,540 34,626,780 |
2024 £ 28,752,978 - 1,294,532 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,047,513 | ||||
| 60,396 1,111,175 14,350,359 |
||||
| 15,521,930 (11,370,728) |
||||
| 4,151,202 | ||||
| 34,198,715 (10,791,579) |
||||
| 23,407,136 - |
||||
| 23,407,136 | ||||
| 100 274,850 918,982 22,213,204 |
||||
| 23,407,136 |
31
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED AND CHARITY BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 30[th] January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Jayne Adams CHAIR Company registration number 03779971
The notes on pages 34 to 63 form part of these financial statements.
32
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2025
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 27 Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from investments Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 13 Purchase of property, plant and equipment 13 Cash acquired in merger Proceeds from sale of investments Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of borrowing 18 Cash inflows from new borrowing Financing costs Fees in advance new contracts Fees in advance repayment of deposits Fees in advance payment of fees Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 28 |
2025 487,355 613,331 14,167 (986,560) 2,143,046 - 1,783,984 (246,866) - (546,651) 14,463 (86,160) - (865,214) 1,406,125 15,122,698 16,528,823 |
2024 6,577,678 |
|---|---|---|
| 258,440 7,076 (1,397,674) - 87,454 |
||
| (1,044,704) (232,234) - (528,101) 6,173,684 (52,280) (333,298) |
||
| 5,027,771 | ||
| 10,560,745 4,561,953 |
||
| 15,122,698 |
33
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year are:
a) Basis of Accounting
The accounts of the group have been prepared under the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities and with applicable UK Accounting Standards. They are drawn up on the historical cost accounting basis except that property and share investments held as fixed assets are carried at fair value.
Ardingly College meets the definition of a public benefit entity under Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with FRS 102 requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Further details are provided in note 36, and in the accounting policies for depreciation of fixed assets, for pensions and for bad debts. The financial statements are presented in sterling (£) and the functional currency is sterling (£).
b) Going Concern
The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Ardingly College Board reviews the financial information for the company and the group and considers whether the group and company are a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts.
Having considered all factors and reviewing the available evidence, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group will be able to continue operating for the foreseeable future and the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
c) Group Accounts
The financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the company, and all its subsidiary companies, charitable trusts and funds with all inter-company balances being eliminated. Entities are consolidated where Ardingly College exercises overall control either through ownership of shares, or through having common trustees with a common objective. Accounting policies are consistently applied between group companies.
d) School Fees Receivable and Similar Income
Fees receivable and other educational income are accounted for in the period in which the service is provided. Fees receivable are stated after deducting allowances, scholarships and other remissions by the school, but include contributions received from restricted funds for scholarships, bursaries and other grants.
Fees in Advance Scheme Contracts are those fees received in advance of education to be provided in future years under a specific contract. The fees are either held as investments in interest bearing assets until taken to income to match liabilities in the term when used, or refunded, or they are held within the unrestricted reserves of the school. Any surplus of assets over liabilities is held within the fund as a buffer.
Debts are provided for if not recovered within one term. Estimating amounts to provide against recovery of debts is a matter of judgement.
e) Ancillary and Non-Ancillary Trading Income
Ancillary trading income represents amounts from activities to generate funds within the charitable objects, for example school shop sales, coaches to and from school and school trips. Non-ancillary trading income represents amounts from activities not directly related to the
34
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
charitable objects, for example lettings of school facilities out of term time and rental from spare school buildings. Income from these activities is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the goods are sold or services provided.
f) Voluntary sources, Grants and Donations
Voluntary incoming resources are accounted for as and when entitlement arises, the amount can reliably be quantified, and the economic benefit is considered probable.
Voluntary income for general purposes is accounted for as unrestricted and is credited to the General Reserve. Where the donor or an appeal has imposed trust law restrictions, voluntary income is credited to the relevant restricted fund and incoming endowments are accounted for as permanent trust capital or expendable trust capital, according to whether the donor intends retention to be permanent or not.
Gifts in kind are valued at estimated open market value at the date of gift, in the case of assets for retention or consumption, or at the value to the school in case of donated services or facilities.
g) Expenditure
Expenditure is accrued as soon as there is a contractual obligation or a liability is considered probable, discounted to present value for longer term liabilities. Expenditure is allocated to expense headings either on a direct cost basis or apportioned according to time spent. The irrecoverable element of VAT is included with the item of expense to which it relates. Bad debts are provided for in accordance with the group bad debt policy.
The cost of refurbishing and converting existing buildings is written-off in the year in which it is incurred except where the useful life has been extended.
h) Finance and Other Costs
Other costs include amounts accrued in accordance with the terms of Fees in Advance Scheme Contracts.
i) Pension Costs
Scheme on 1st January 2021 and all teaching staff were enrolled in the Aviva Pension Trust for Independent Schools (APTIS) a defined contribution scheme.
The College also has a closed defined benefits scheme for non-teaching staff. The Scheme closed for the remaining active members in December 2023 and the College currently contributes only to the deficit funding. In addition, under the provisions of FRS102, the actuarial liability of the Scheme is reviewed annually and the College has opted to restrict any surplus in the statutory accounts so as not to create a pension asset.
The assets of the Scheme are held separately from the company in an independently administered fund. Contributions to the defined benefit scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they are incurred. Further detail is in note 24.
j) Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
In accordance with Section 35.10 (d) of FRS102, Ardingly College has elected to use the carrying value of any of the above freehold land and buildings previously carried at a valuation, as their deemed cost at the date of transition to FRS102, 1 September 2014.
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Individual capital items, or projects, with a value greater than £10,000 are capitalised. Assets in the course of construction are stated at cost less any provision for impairment. They are transferred to completed assets when substantially all of the activities necessary to get the asset ready for use are complete. Where appropriate cost includes our own labour costs in relation to construction, and directly attributable overheads.
Where tangible fixed assets have been acquired with the aid of specific grants they are included in the balance sheet at cost and depreciated over their expected useful economic life. The related grants are credited to a restricted fixed asset fund (in the statement of financial activities and carried forward in the balance sheet). The depreciation on such assets is charged in the statement of financial activities over the expected useful economic life of the related asset on a basis consistent with the depreciation policy.
35
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value of each asset based on current market prices, over its expected useful life, as follows:
| Freehold Buildings: | - Variable according to the building and written off over |
|---|---|
| the expected useful life (see paragraph below) | |
| Freehold improvements | - Over the useful economic life of the improvement |
| Leasehold land and buildings | - Over the shorter of the economic life of the asset or the |
| life of the lease | |
| Leasehold enhancements | - Over the shorter of the economic life of the asset or |
| the | |
| life of the lease | |
| Fixtures, fittings and equipment | - 25% on cost |
| Computer equipment | - 25% on cost |
| Motor vehicles | - 25% on cost |
| Freehold land is not depreciated. |
The company has reviewed its tangible assets, which comprise land, buildings and initial fixtures and fittings. The company undertakes an annual review of all buildings assessing their useful economic life. In some cases the useful economic life of a building is anticipated to be of considerable length, often in excess of 100 years. The buildings are capitalised in the financial statements at historic cost. Where the calculated depreciation charge is a material figure, it is charged in these financial statements but, where the carrying value is not more than the estimated recoverable amount and the depreciation on the building is not material to these financial statements, it has been assessed, but not charged on the basis that it is not material. The directors will continue to carry out annual assessments of the recoverable amount and the estimated useful life of all buildings and where the depreciation is a material value, it will be f the market value and the future economic benefit derived from an asset versus its carrying value in the financial statements.
When the company undertakes a significant refurbishment project that will have an economic t useful life.
No depreciation is provided for in respect of investment properties in accordance with Section 16 of FRS102. Such properties are held for their investment potential and not for consumption within the business. Investment properties are stated at their fair value at the balance sheet date.
Ardingly College exercises judgement in selection of appropriate rates for depreciation of fixed assets, and for matters of impairment.
k) Financial Instruments
Ardingly College only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
l) Investments and Fees in Advance Investments
Investments and Fees in Advance investments are carried at fair value, which is deemed to be market value as at the balance sheet date.
==> picture [415 x 33] intentionally omitted <==
m) Stocks
Stocks comprise raw materials, consumable stores and goods held for resale: they are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
n) Leasing Commitments
Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are capitalised in the balance sheet and are depreciated over their useful lives or the period of the lease whichever is the shorter. The interest element of the obligations is charged to the Statement of Financial
36
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Activities over the period of the lease. Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives are accounted for over the lease term on a straight-line basis.
o) Fee Deposits
Refundable fee deposits are currently classified between long term and short term in the financial statements. These deposits are refundable in the event that the pupils leave a school on one term's notice and as such the deposit would be refunded to the parents at that point. However, the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and it is assumed that the majority of children will remain in school for their full years of education and therefore the deposit will be refunded to them when they leave school.
Short term deposits reflect those pupils that will be leaving a school within one year, and the longer-term element reflects those pupils that will be leaving a school after 12 months from the balance sheet date.
p) Fund Accounts
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity. Endowment funds are further sub-divided into permanent and expendable, where required by the terms of the trust.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the directors for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are those funds which can be used at the directors' discretion for the objects, with no donor or legal restrictions. Unrestricted funds can supplement restricted fund expenditure when required.
q) Taxation
Ardingly College is a registered charity and as such are exempt from income tax and corporation tax under the provisions of Section 478 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. There is no similar exemption for VAT, which is included in expenditure or in the cost of assets as appropriate.
Total Income excludes VAT on taxable outputs and Total Expenditure excludes recoverable VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included as a cost, where applicable.
The school has a subsidiary company that is subject to taxes including corporation tax and VAT in the same way as any commercial organisation. The tax charged to the profit and loss account s into account tax arising because of timing differences between the treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes.
The subsidiary company distributes the majority of its profits to Ardingly College under Gift Aid and tax liabilities are kept to a minimum.
r) Cash
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
s) Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting at their fair value at the date of acquisition. statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
37
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - SCHOOL FEES RECEIVABLE
| The school fees income comprises Gross fees Less: Total scholarships, bursaries, etc |
2025 £ 33,473,667 (2,436,950) 31,036,717 |
2024 £ 29,971,606 (2,383,568) |
|---|---|---|
| 27,588,038 |
Scholarships, bursaries and other awards were paid to 342 pupils (2024: 257 pupils). Within this, means-tested bursaries totalling £537,853 were paid to 45 pupils (2024: £450,593 to 23 pupils) of which 7 pupils received full fee remission. Of this total, £7,844 covered additional, non-fee-related support towards the cost of uniforms, music lessons and trips.
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES ANCILLARY TRADING INCOME
| Extras Entrance fees and registration fees Pupil transport Commissions and related income Sundry other income OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Non-ancillary trading income Ardingly Projects Limited trading turnover Ardingly College International Limited trading turnover Rents receivable |
2025 £ 734,457 89,643 224,338 17,621 127,507 1,193,566 2025 £ 2,002,438 258,800 158,607 2,419,845 |
2024 £ 605,283 88,472 212,863 29,379 268,705 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,204,702 | ||
| 2024 £ 1,759,213 448,820 95,298 |
||
| 2,303,331 |
4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Ardingly Projects Limited trading turnover includes £1,365,141 of lettings income (2024: £1,396,926).
38
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
5. INVESTMENTS - INVESTMENT INCOME
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowed £ £ £ Investment income Cash 15,618 - - 15,618 - - INVESTMENTS - BANK AND OTHER INTEREST RECEIVABLE Unrestricted Restricted Endowed Bank interest 498,202 80,755 6,754 Other interest 12,002 - - 510,204 80,755 6,754 OTHER - GRANTS AND DONATIONS Unrestricted Restricted Endowed Development Donations 51,491 95,934 - Net assets acquired in merger 9,649,114 25,997 - 9,700,605 121,931 - |
Total 2025 £ 15,618 15,618 Total 2025 £ 585,711 12,002 597,713 Total 2025 £ 147,425 9,675,111 9,822,536 |
Total 2024 £ - |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| Total 2024 £ 246,440 12,000 |
|||
| 258,440 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 120,260 - |
|||
| 120,260 |
6. INVESTMENTS - BANK AND OTHER INTEREST RECEIVABLE
7. OTHER - GRANTS AND DONATIONS
39
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
- ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| a)Total expenditure Costs of raising funds Non ancillary trading Financing cost (note 9) Fundraising and development Total cost of generating funds Charitable expenditure Teaching Welfare Premises School administration Grants awards and prizes (note 8b) Governance Education and grant making Total Expenditure |
Staff costs (note 10) £ 944,747 - 56,519 1,001,266 14,989,593 2,115,402 1,856,533 1,730,651 - - 20,692,179 21,693,445 |
Support costs £ 878,068 546,651 59,291 1,484,010 1,481,040 2,118,099 3,782,461 1,489,355 17,801 94,948 8,983,704 10,467,714 |
Depreciation (Note 13) £ 21,542 - - 21,542 173,980 1,715,585 115,364 - - - 2,004,929 2,026,471 |
Total 2025 £ 1,844,357 546,651 115,810 2,506,818 16,644,613 5,949,086 5,754,358 3,220,006 17,801 94,948 31,680,812 34,187,630 |
Total 2024 £ 1,429,194 528,101 169,558 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,126,853 | |||||
| 13,480,671 5,409,253 4,807,079 3,350,426 15,467 86,881 |
|||||
| 27,149,777 | |||||
| 29,276,630 |
40
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE (Continued)
b) Grants, awards and prizes
Ardingly College makes awards to individual families to support schooling.
| From Restricted Funds: Prizes and leaving awards From Unrestricted Funds: Prizes and leaving awards |
2025 £ 17,801 - 17,801 |
2024 £ 3,145 12,322 |
|---|---|---|
| 15,467 |
c) Total resources expended include:
Ardingly College reimburses governors for out-of-pocket expenses including travel subsistence and accommodation, where a claim is made. 4 governors were reimbursed during the year (2024: 4).
| Remuneration paid to auditor for audit services Additional remuneration paid to auditor for prior year Remuneration paid to auditor for non-audit services Depreciation of tangible fixed assets: - owned by the Charitable Company (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets Operating lease rentals: - land and buildings - other assets Reimbursement of personal expenses to governors FINANCING COSTS Bank interest payable Bank charges Other finance costs Provision for bad and doubtful debts |
2025 £ 52,972 - - 2,026,471 14,167 - 167,226 4,438 2025 £ 287,558 63,324 46,267 149,502 546,651 |
2024 £ 46,905 - - 1,986,147 4,200 - 86,133 800 2024 £ 363,927 70,035 38,938 55,201 |
|---|---|---|
| 528,101 |
9. FINANCING COSTS
41
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
10. STAFF COSTS
| The aggregate payroll costs for the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs Termination payments |
2025 £ 18,709,762 1,762,181 1,184,588 36,914 21,693,445 |
2024 £ 15,845,180 1,332,137 821,103 101,159 |
|---|---|---|
| 18,099,579 |
Included in staff costs are redundancy or termination payments totalling £36,914 (2024: £101,159). The amount outstanding at the year-end was £nil (2024: £17,097).
None of the governors received remuneration or other benefits from Ardingly College or from any connected body.
The Head and COO are classed by the school as being the Key Management Personnel.
| Aggregate employee benefits of key management personnel The number of higher paid employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more was: £60,001 - £70,000 £70,001 - £80,000 £80,001 - £90,000 £90,001 - £100,000 £100,001 - £110,000 £110,001 - £120,000 £120,001 - £130,000 £130,001 - £140,000 £140,001 - £150,000 £150,001 - £160,000 £160,001 - £170,000 £170,001 - £180,000 £180,001 - £190,000 £190,001 - £200,000 £200,001 - £210,000 £210,001 - £220,000 £220,001 - £230,000 £230,001 - £240,000 £240,001 - £250,000 £250,001 - £260,000 £260,001 - £270,000 £270,001 - £280,000 |
2025 2024 £ £ 488,978 468,304 2025 2024 No No 21 15 4 1 4 4 - - - - - - 1 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 - |
|---|---|
42
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
10. STAFF COSTS (Continued)
The average number of employees during the year calculated on a head count basis, was 580 (2024: 481)
| (2024: 481) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Welfare Premises Support Other activities |
2025 No 178 143 54 118 87 580 |
2024 No 157 118 47 89 70 |
| 481 |
11. DIRECTORS
None of the directors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year. Scholarships totalling £1,464 were awarded to the child of a director, which pre-dated their appointment as a director (2024: nil).
During the year, 4 (2024 :4) directors received reimbursement of travel and training expenses totalling £4,438 (2024: £800).
12. TAXATION
The company is a registered charity and therefore no liability to corporation tax arises on its charitable activities.
43
| Total | £ | 46,109,364 | 678,560 | (216,716) | - | 9,211,843 | 55,783,051 | 17,356,386 | 2,013,638 | (41,810) | - | 19,328,214 | 36,454,837 | 28,752,978 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Vehicles | £ | 561,713 | 105,183 | (41,810) | - | - | 625,086 | 409,110 | 84,185 | (41,810) | - | 451,485 | 173,601 | 152,603 | ||||||
| Computer | Equipment | £ | 3,129,532 | - | - | - | - | 3,129,532 | 2,441,899 | 146,149 | - | - | 2,588,048 | 541,484 | 687,633 | ||||||
| Fixtures, | Fittings & | Equipment | £ | 7,810,724 | 340,632 | - | - | 336,936 | 8,488,292 | 6,305,547 | 485,564 | - | - | 6,791,111 | 1,697,181 | 1,505,177 | |||||
| Under | Construction | £ | 654,537 | 136,569 | (174,906) | (448,433) | - | 167,767 | - | - | - | - | - | 167,767 | 654,537 | ||||||
| Leasehold | Land & | Buildings | £ | - | 25,000 | - | - | - | 25,000 | - | 1,042 | - | - | 1,042 | 23,958 | - | |||||
| Freehold | Improvements | £ | 7,134,185 | 71,176 | - | 448,433 | - | 7,653,794 | 1,500,829 | 415,382 | - | (340) | 1,915,871 | 5,737,923 | 5,633,356 | ||||||
| Freehold | Land & | Buildings | £ | 26,818,673 | - | - | - | 8,874,907 | 35,693,580 | 6,699,001 | 881,316 | - | 340 | 7,580,657 | 28,112,923 | 20,119,672 | |||||
| 13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | Group and company | Cost | At 1stSeptember 2024 | Additions | Disposals | Transfers | Assets acquired in merger | At 31st August 2025 | Depreciation | At 1stSeptember 2024 | Charge for the year | Disposals | Transfers | At 31st August 2025 | Net book value at 31st | August 2025 | Net book value at 31stAugust | 2024 |
| Group and company Other |
Intangible | Goodwill Assets Total |
£ £ £ |
Cost | At 1stSeptember 2024 - - - |
Additions 295,500 12,500 308,000 |
Disposals - - - |
Transfers - - - |
At 31st August 2025 295,500 12,500 308,000 |
Amortisation | At 1stSeptember 2024 - - - |
Charge for the year 12,312 521 12,833 |
Disposals - - - |
At 31st August 2025 12,312 521 12,833 |
Net book value at 31st | August 2025 283,188 11,979 295,167 |
Net book value at 31stAugust | 2024 - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
14. INVESTMENTS
| Group investments At 1 September New money invested Realised gains/(losses) on investments Unrealised gains/(losses) on investments Movement in uninvested cash Group investments at 31 August Investment in subsidiaries Company investments at 31 August Investments comprise: Listed investments Multi-asset funds Cash Group investments at 31 August Investment in subsidiaries Company investments at 31 August |
Investments 2025 £ 1,294,532 - - 103,888 15,618 1,414,038 450,003 1,864,041 1,364,778 49,260 1,414,038 450,003 1,864,041 |
2024 £ 1,219,244 (12,454) 3,489 159,253 (75,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,294,532 3 |
||
| 1,294,535 | ||
| 1,260,890 33,642 |
||
| 1,294,532 3 |
||
| 1,294,535 |
Ardingly College owns all of the share capital of Ardingly Projects Limited, a company incorporated in England/Wales and Ardingly College International Limited, a company incorporated in England/Wales. Further details are provided in note 29.
Ardingly College invested £450,000 in additional ordinary shares of Ardingly Projects Limited in the year, which facilitated the acquisition of the assets of Ardingly Activity Centre Limited. The acquired business operates a water sports leisure and training facility at Ardingly Reservoir.
In addition to the above investments, cash balances within the Fees in Advance Scheme are included in current assets as cash deposits.
The main investments are held on behalf of Ardingly College by Hargreaves Lansdown. All investments are managed in the UK.
46
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
15. DEBTORS
| School fees receivable Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Tax recoverable Amounts due from subsidiary company |
Group 2025 £ 179,033 387,393 2,005,651 373,400 - - 2,945,477 |
2024 £ 34,223 65,104 64,103 288,365 12,613 - 464,408 |
Company 2025 £ 179,033 217,457 2,005,651 367,239 - 913,579 3,682,959 |
2024 £ 34,223 15,768 64,103 292,426 2,646 702,009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,111,175 |
School fees receivable are net of £234,303 (2024: £178,569) provided for doubtful debts.
16. CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
| Group 2025 2024 £ £ Bank loans and overdrafts (note 19) 261,596 246,866 Deposits from parents 910,997 610,854 Fees received from parents in advance of term 7,024,729 4,219,949 Trade creditors 1,103,004 1,144,827 Taxation and social security 2,026,810 7,796 Other creditors 100,109 166,126 Fees in Advance Scheme (note 20) 1,313,796 3,666,244 Accruals 870,907 1,361,889 Deferred income - 2,172 Amounts due to subsidiary company - - 13,611,948 11,426,723 Summary of movements in fees received in advance of term Balance at 1 September 2024 Amounts arising in the year Amounts transferred to SOFA Balance at 31 August 2025 |
Company 2025 £ 261,596 910,997 7,024,729 1,043,697 2,143,419 100,894 1,313,796 786,778 - - 13,585,906 |
2024 £ 246,866 610,854 4,219,949 1,141,674 - 251,903 3,666,244 1,233,238 - - 11,370,728 £ 4,219,949 7,024,729 (4,219,949) 7,024,729 |
2024 £ 246,866 610,854 4,219,949 1,141,674 - 251,903 3,666,244 1,233,238 - - 11,370,728 £ 4,219,949 7,024,729 (4,219,949) 7,024,729 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7,024,729 |
47
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
| Summary of movements in deferred income Balance at 1 September 2024 Amounts arising in the year Amounts transferred to SOFA Balance at 31 August 2025 |
£ 2,172 - (2,172) |
|---|---|
| - |
Deferred income arises due to invoices for the following year being issued and applied to the sales ledger prior to the year end. The income that relates to the following year is deferred until the period to which the income relates.
48
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
17. CREDITORS: amounts falling due after one year
| Bank loans and overdrafts (note 19) Deposits from parents Other creditors Fees in Advance Scheme (note 20) |
Group 2025 £ 4,535,654 3,644,908 - 1,467,254 9,647,816 |
2024 £ 4,797,250 3,124,324 - 2,870,005 10,791,579 |
Company 2025 £ 4,535,654 3,644,908 - 1,467,254 9,647,816 |
2024 £ 4,797,250 3,124,324 - 2,870,005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,791,579 |
Parents pay to the College a deposit of £2,000 or, in the case of parents living overseas, a sum All but £1,000 of the deposit is applied against the final with the remaining balance being refunded two months after the end of the final academic year, subject to deduction of any final charges.
18. BANK LOAN
| The bank loan is repayable in instalments Due after 5 years Due within 2 to 5 years Due within 1 to 2 years Due after more than one year Due within 1 year |
2025 £ 3,327,933 933,264 274,457 4,535,654 261,596 4,797,250 |
2024 £ 3,657,906 877,748 261,597 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,797,251 246,866 |
||
| 5,044,117 |
Ardingly College has an existing bank loan from Lloyds Bank Plc. The loan is secured against the College campus at a rate of interest of 5.845% and is repayable over a term of 25 years commencing July 2013. The balance at 31[st] August 2025 is £4,797,250.
49
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
19. FEES IN ADVANCE SCHEME
Parents and others may enter into a contract to pay for fixed contributions towards pupil tuition fees for a number of years in advance. The money may be returned subject to specific conditions on the receipt of notice. Assuming pupils remain in the school, fees in advance will be applied as follows:
| After 5 years Within 2 to 5 years Within 1 to 2 years Due after more than one year Within 1 year Summary of movements in liability Balance at 1 September 2024 New contracts Repayments Amounts used to pay fees Amount accrued to contract as debt financing cost Balance at 31 August 2025 |
2025 £ 80,837 738,784 647,633 1,467,254 1,313,796 2,781,050 |
2024 £ 216,887 1,316,807 1,336,311 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,870,005 3,666,244 |
|||
| 6,536,249 | |||
| £ 6,536,249 877,644 (86,160) (4,546,683) - 2,781,050 |
|||
20. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES
The future minimum commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are:
| Within 1 year Within 1 to 5 years After 5 years |
Other 2025 £ 172,370 403,492 - 575,862 |
2024 £ 77,490 223,570 14,214 |
|---|---|---|
| 315,274 |
21. SHARE CAPITAL
| SHARE CAPITAL | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Authorised | ||
| 100 Ordinary Shares of £1 each | 100 | 100 |
| Allotted, called up and fully paid | ||
| 100 Ordinary Shares of £1 each | 100 | 100 |
50
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
22. FUNDS
Ardingly College
a) ENDOWED FUNDS
The endowed funds of the Charity are funds set up by donors as permanent capital. The income generated is restricted to funding bursaries, grants and prizes.
b) RESTRICTED FUNDS
Funds for Specific Projects
These represent current gifts, donations and legacies etc. from external donors for specific purposes where there is no requirement to preserve capital. Expenditure directly financed by such gifts is shown under restricted funds.
At 31 August 2025, these were:
£
| Bursary & Prize Funds Ardingly Reservoir Make a Splash Great Walstead FOGWA & Wilmot Building & Development funds Grounds projects Awards and competitions Community & overseas projects College campus projects Music projects |
828,239 37,878 25,997 24,762 21,028 16,961 8,658 6,848 2,165 |
|---|---|
| 972,536 |
Bursary & Prize Funds: These comprise the funds received from the liquidation of the Woodard Schools (Southern Division) Benefit Fund in 2019, along with bursary donations at t Day and other bursary gifts received, either generally or for specific pupils. Ardingly College is holding these as a bursary fund to provide both transformational and means-tested grants to support the education of pupils at Ardingly.
Ardingly Reservoir Make a Splash: Thes which will be used to improve facilities at the new Reservoir Activity Centre and help widen the access and opportunity for pupils to enjoy water sports.
Great Walstead: These comprise the Wilmot fund set up to provide academic prizes and donations received from the Friends of Great Walstead.
Grounds projects: These funds have been donated to fund specific planting projects and for rewilding areas of the campus.
Awards and competitions: Donations held to fund the annual entry to the London International Youth Science Forum and the annual Bulteel Award.
College campus projects: Donations held to fund specific items and projects around the College campus, including green initiatives and grounds work.
Music projects: Donations received to contribute towards the Choir tour and to fund the purchase of other musical instruments and equipment for the music school.
Community & overseas projects : Donations towards the school and village at the heart of the annual service trip to Langalanga.
51
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
22. FUNDS (Continued)
c) UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
that are available for the general purposes of the College.
At 31 August 2025, these were:
| At 31 August 2025, these were: | |
|---|---|
Specific Development Campaigns Drake Fund Fees in Advance Schemes General Reserve |
Charity Group £ £ 530,480 1,720,198 530,480 1,720,198 2,781,050 28,340,812 2,781,050 28,220,686 |
| 33,372,540 33,252,414 |
Specific Development Campaigns: This comprises funds from regular giving and legacy donations which have been designated for particular projects and initiatives. The major components of this are:
| Greatest Need | £344,027 |
|---|---|
| General Bursary | £156,922 |
| Capital Projects | £ 18,946 |
Greatest Need : Funds are held to be used towards causes which are considered by the Board to be the greatest priority and will generally contribute towards our bursary programme.
Drake Fund: This fund is formed from a generous legacy donation. Income generated from the fund will be used to fund bursaries.
Fees In Advance Schemes: This comprises day and boarding fees for one mor more years paid in advance with sums applied to the individual fee accounts as they fall due.
52
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
23. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS (CHARITY)
| Tangible fixed assets Investments Fees in Advance Scheme Net current (liabilities)/assets Long term liabilities Tangible fixed assets Investments Fees in Advance Scheme Net current (liabilities)/assets Long term liabilities |
Unrestricted £ 36,022,221 1,864,041 2,781,050 3,820,398 (11,115,070) 33,372,640 Unrestricted £ 28,463,565 1,294,535 3,666,244 (419,461) (10,791,579) 22,213,304 |
Restricted £ - - - 972,536 - 972,536 Restricted £ - - - 918,982 - 918,982 |
Endowed £ 289,413 - - (7,809) - 281,604 Endowed £ 289,413 - - (14,563) - 274,850 |
Total Total 2025 2024 £ £ 36,311,634 28,752,978 1,864,041 1,294,535 2,781,050 3,666,244 4,785,125 484,958 (11,115,070) (10,791,579) 34,626,780 23,407,136 Total Total 2024 2023 £ £ 28,752,978 29,344,327 1,294,535 1,219,244 3,666,244 272,410 484,958 (1,341,695) (10,791,579) (8,369,136) 23,407,136 21,125,150 |
Total Total 2025 2024 £ £ 36,311,634 28,752,978 1,864,041 1,294,535 2,781,050 3,666,244 4,785,125 484,958 (11,115,070) (10,791,579) 34,626,780 23,407,136 Total Total 2024 2023 £ £ 28,752,978 29,344,327 1,294,535 1,219,244 3,666,244 272,410 484,958 (1,341,695) (10,791,579) (8,369,136) 23,407,136 21,125,150 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,125,150 |
53
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
24. SUMMARY OF MOVEMENTS ON MAJOR FUNDS
| Endowed Permanent Property Revaluation Reserve Cash Total Endowment Restricted Funds Bursary & prize funds Ardingly Reservoir Grounds Projects Great Walstead funds Strength & Conditioning Centre Awards & Competitions College campus projects Music projects Community & Overseas projects Unrestricted Funds Specific development campaigns Drake fund General Reserve Trading subsidiary Total Funds |
At 1 Sept 2024 £ 283,572 (21,176) 12,454 274,850 835,462 - 28,343 - 24,762 18,782 7,394 2,165 2,074 918,982 565,731 1,600,691 20,042,174 87,706 22,296,302 23,490,134 |
Income £ - - 6,754 6,754 124,108 37,878 - 25,997 - 1,500 4,837 - 8,366 202,686 21,794 15,619 43,678,924 1,174,385 44,890,722 45,100,162 |
Expenditure £ - - - - (131,331) - (7,315) - - (3,321) (5,383) - (1,782) (149,132) (57,045) - (32,606,241) (1,375,212) (34,038,498) (34,187,630) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Gains/ (losses) £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 103,888 - - 103,888 103,888 |
At 31 August 2025 £ 283,572 (21,176) 19,208 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 281,604 | ||||||
| 828,239 37,878 21,028 25,997 24,762 16,961 6,848 2,165 8,658 |
||||||
| 972,536 | ||||||
| 530,480 1,720,198 31,114,857 (113,121) |
||||||
| 33,252,414 | ||||||
| 34,506,554 |
Note 22 provides details of the individual funds.
25. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
| CAPITAL COMMITMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| At 31 August 2025, the group had capital commitments as follows: | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Expenditure contracted for but not provided in the accounts | 245,000 | - |
Expenditure contracted for but not provided in the accounts
54
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
26. PENSION SCHEMES
Teaching Staff
Teaching staff are enrolled in the Aviva Pensions Trust for Independent Schools, a defined contribution scheme.
Operations Staff
Operations staff are enrolled in the Ardingly College Group Personal Pension, a defined contribution scheme operated by AEGON.
Ardingly College Retirement Benefit Scheme
(A final salary pension scheme for Operations staff employed before 2001)
Ardingly College (the Employer) operates a final salary pension scheme, the Ardingly College Retirement Benefits Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme is a Registered Pension Scheme under Chapter 2 of Part IV of the Finance Act 2004. The Scheme is closed to new members and in December 2023 closed for the remaining active members.
Composition of the Scheme
A full FRS102 valuation was carried out for the Ardingly College Retirement Benefit Scheme as at 31 August 2025 by a qualified independent actuary. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Employer. The major assumptions used by the actuary to value the assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Inflation assumption (RPI) | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| Rate of increase in salaries | n/a | n/a |
| The assumed rate of increase to pensions in deferment | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| The assumed rate of interest to pensions in payment | 2.9% | 3.1% |
| Assumed rate used to discount scheme liabilities | 5.7% | 4.9% |
| Average life expectancy | 88.4 | 88.2 |
The life expectancy shown is the average of the figures for men and women aged 45 and 65 at the effective date
Assumptions
The assumptions have been determined as follows:
-
the discount rate is based on a yield curve constructed from the iBoxx Sterling AA Corporate Bond Index at the effective date, at the duration of the liabilities.
-
the rate of increase in the Retail Price Index (RPI) is derived from the difference in the yields on fixed and index-linked UK government bonds (gilts) at the effective date published by the Bank of England.
-
future pay increases were assumed to be in line with the increase in the Retail Price Index plus 1% per annum but are no longer relevant as there are no active members.
-
demographic assumptions are those considered by the actuary to be appropriate for the scheme.
55
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Assets and Liabilities at each year end in accordance with FRS102 were:
| 2025 £ Total market value of assets 3,099,000 Restriction on asset balance (1,210,000) Present value of liabilities (1,889,000) Deficit - Analysis of amount recognised in Statement of Financial Activities 2025 £ Current service cost - Interest on net defined benefit liability (57,000) Expenses paid from the Scheme 8,000 Total Cost (49,000) Analysis of amount recognised in other comprehensive income 2025 £ Actual return on assets (129,000) Return on assets included in net interest (159,000) Asset gain/(loss) (288,000) Liability experience gain/(loss) 19,000 Change of assumptions gain/(loss) 215,000 Restriction on asset balance (1,210,000) Remeasurement gain/(loss) in other comprehensive income (1,264,000) Changes in the present value of the defined benefit liabilities are: 2025 £ Opening value of liabilities 2,131,000 Interest cost 102,000 Service cost (including member contributions) - Experience (gain) / loss (19,000) Change of assumptions (gain) / loss (215,000) Benefits paid (110,000) Closing value of liabilities 1,889,000 Changes in the fair value of the assets are as follows: 2025 £ Opening value of assets 3,254,000 Expected return 159,000 Asset gain (288,000) Contributions by employer 92,000 Contributions by members - Benefits paid (110,000) Expenses paid from the scheme (8,000) 3,099,000 Restriction on asset balance (1,210,000) Closing value of assets 1,889,000 |
2024 £ 3,254,000 (1,123,000) (2,131,000) |
|---|---|
| - | |
| 2024 £ 6,000 (42,000) 29,000 |
|
| (7,000) | |
| 2024 £ 204,000 (158,000) |
|
| 46,000 188,000 (7,000) (1,123,000) |
|
| (896,000) | |
| 2024 £ 2,351,000 116,000 7,000 (188,000) 7,000 (162,000) |
|
| 2,131,000 | |
| 2024 £ 3,142,000 158,000 46,000 98,000 1,000 (162,000) (29,000) |
|
| 3,254,000 | |
| (1,123,000) | |
| 2,131,000 |
56
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
Due to the Scheme having a year-end net asset balance of £1,210,000, this has been restricted.
The total value of the assets is divided between the main asset classes as follows:
| Equities Gilts Bonds Property Cash Annuities Total |
At 31 Aug 25 30.5% 8.3% 34.4% 9.0% 10.1% 7.7% 100% |
At 31 Aug 24 31.3% 9.6% 39.1% 3.7% 7.9% 8.4% |
|---|---|---|
| 100% |
The assets above do not include any securities of, or property occupied by Ardingly College.
Amounts for the current and previous four periods (in thousands):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present value of liabilities |
(1,889) | (2,131) | (2,351) | (2,911) | (4,599) |
| Total market value of assets |
3,099 | 3,254 | 3,142 | 3.194 | 3,327 |
| Restriction applied to asset balance in accounts |
(1,210) | (1,123) | (791) | (283) | - |
| (Deficit) / Asset | - | - | - | - | (1,272) |
| Experience gain /(loss) on assets |
(288) | 46 | (172) | (183) | 31 |
| Experience gain/(loss) on liabilities |
19 | 188 | 161 | 117 | 124 |
The actual return on assets over the period was a loss of £155,000 (2024: gain of £112,000).
The total actuarial gain/loss for the period (being the sum of the liability experience gain/loss, the change of assumptions gain/loss and the asset gain/loss) was a loss of approximately £54,000 (2024: gain of approximately £227,000). A restriction of £1,210,000 has been applied to this gain so that the overall impact is to not recognise the asset.
The Employer expects to contribute a minimum of £92,520 to the scheme in the year from the end of the period towards the deficit.
57
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
27. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOMING RESOURCES TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATIONS
| Net income for the period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for Depreciation charges (Gains)/losses on investments Dividends, interest, and rents from investments Financing costs Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets Asset impairment write-offs (Increase)/decrease in stocks (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors (Increase)/decrease in fees in advance balances Non-cash assets acquired in merger Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash in hand and at bank Overdraft facilities repayable on demand Total cash and cash equivalents |
2025 £ 11,016,420 2,026,471 (119,506) (613,331) 546,651 (14,167) 174,906 (54,156) (2,345,416) (527,103) 71,697 (9,675,111) 487,355 2025 £ 16,528,823 - 16,528,823 |
2024 £ 2,278,084 1,986,147 (162,742) (258,440) 528,101 (4,200) - 2,004 97,507 7,899,323 (5,788,106) - 6,577,678 2024 £ 15,122,698 - |
|---|---|---|
| 15,122,698 |
28. ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
58
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
29. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT
| Cash and cash equivalents Cash Overdraft facility repayable on demand Borrowings Loans falling due within one year Loans falling due after more than one year Total |
At 1st Sept 2024 £ 15,122,698 - 15,122,698 (246,866) (4,797,250) (5,044,116) 10,078,582 |
Cash flows £ 1,406,125 - 1,406,125 (14,730) 261,596 246,866 1,652,991 |
Other non- cash changes £ - - - - - - - |
At 31st Aug 2025 £ 16,528,823 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,528,823 (261,596) (4,535,654) |
||||
| (4,797,250) | ||||
| 11,731,573 |
30. MERGERS
On 1[st] November 2024 Ardingly College Limited merged with Great Walstead, a local prep school operating as an incorporated charity limited by guarantee. Great Walstead Limited was incorporated in England & Wales, company number 00751662 and charity number 307002. There was no consideration paid and on 1[st] November 2024 Great Walstead gifted all of its trade and net assets to Ardingly College Limited. Great Walstead Limited has been dormant since 1[st] November 2024 and the Company and Charity have subsequently closed.
| Freehold Land Plant & Equipment Fixtures & Fittings Current Assets Current Liabilities Long term liabilities Net assets |
Book Value £ 8,874,907 137,059 199,877 2,278,699 (1,663,231) (152,200) 9,675,111 |
Fair Value £ 9,000,000 137,059 199,877 2,278,699 (1,663,231) (152,200) |
|---|---|---|
| 9,800,204 |
31. SUBSIDIARIES
The Company owns all the share capital of Ardingly Projects Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales (Company number: 01931797). This company carries out trading activity on behalf of the College including commercial letting and sales from the College cafe.
Ardingly Projects Limited had a turnover of £2.0m (2024: £1.8m), gross profit of £1.5m (2024: £1.3m), and a profit before tax and gift aid of £356k in the year ended 31 August 2025 (2024: £380k). At 31 August 2025 451k (2024: £378).
Ardingly Projects Limited paid rent of £126k (2024: £126k) and £807k employment cost recharges (2024: £698k) before tax of £355k is gift aided to Ardingly College Limited. At year end, Ardingly Projects Limited owed Ardingly College Limited £298k (2024: £576k).
59
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
The Company also owns all the share capital of Ardingly College International Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales (Company Number 11540470). This company was incorporated on 28 August 2018 and carries out all activities relating to the setting up of educational partnerships with international schools.
Ardingly College International Limited had a turnover of £259k (2024: £449k), gross profit of £88k (2024: £276k), and a pre-tax loss of £109k in the year ended 31 August 2025 (2024: profit of £142k). At 31 August 2025 the company had a deficit of 114k (2024: surplus of £331).
Ardingly College International Limited paid rent of £922 (2024: £6k) and employment cost recharges of £138k (2024: £65k) to Ardingly College Limited during the year. Ardingly College International Limited made a loss in the year so there is no gift aid to transfer to Ardingly College Limited. At year end, Ardingly College International Limited owed Ardingly College Limited £261k (2024: £126k).
Both subsidiaries have the same registered office of Ardingly College, College Road, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ.
60
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
32. Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Comparative figures by fund type
| Year Ended 31 August 2024 Income and endowments from Charitable activities School fees receivable Ancillary trading income Other trading activities Non-ancillary trading income Investments Bank and other interest Voluntary sources Grants and donations Other income Total Income Expenditure on: Raising funds Non ancillary trading Financing costs Fundraising and development Total Deductible Costs Charitable activities Education and grant making Total resources expended Net gains on investment assets Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses) Pension scheme actuarial gains/(losses) Net movement in funds for the year Fund balances at 1st September Fund Balances at 31st August |
Unrestricted £ 27,588,038 1,204,702 2,303,331 198,669 8,779 4,200 31,307,719 1,429,194 528,101 169,558 2,126,853 27,078,892 29,205,745 159,253 2,261,227 (26,555) - 2,234,672 20,061,630 22,296,302 |
Restricted £ - - - 59,771 111,481 - 171,252 - - - - 70,885 70,885 - 100,367 26,555 - 126,922 792,060 918,982 |
Endowed £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 3,489 3,489 - - 3,489 271,361 274,850 |
Total £ 27,588,038 1,204,702 2,303,331 258,440 120,260 4,200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,478,971 | ||||
| 1,429,194 528,101 169,558 |
||||
| 2,126,853 27,149,777 |
||||
| 29,276,630 | ||||
| 162,742 | ||||
| 2,365,083 - - |
||||
| 2,365,083 21,125,051 |
||||
| 23,490,134 |
61
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
33. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY
The Woodard Corporation Limited is the ultimate controlling party, a registered charity number 1096270, which is incorporated in England and Wales. Copies of the financial statements can be obtained from The Woodard Corporation, 1 Adam Street, London, WC2N 6LE. The accounts of Ardingly College Limited are included within the consolidated financial statements of the Woodard Corporation Limited.
34. RELATED PARTIES
As stated in note 33, Ardingly College Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Woodard Corporation. An amount of £189,604 was paid during the year to Woodard Corporation by way of a levy to meet running costs.
The company also controls two subsidiary trading companies, Ardingly Projects Limited, and Ardingly College International Limited; the results of which are detailed in Note 31.
During the year the company was charged professional fees of £19,049 by Savills (UK) Ltd of which Guy Dixon is a Director, and Professional fees of £85,951 by Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP of which Sian Champkin is a Partner and employee.
conflicts have been recorded on Declaration of Interest forms and also at the start of relevant Governor meetings to be included in the minutes.
62
ARDINGLY COLLEGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025
35. ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are required to make estimates and judgements. The matters detailed below are considered to be the most important in understanding the judgements that are involved in preparing the financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact the amounts reported in the results of operations, financial position and cashflows. Accounting policies are shown at note 1 to the financial statements.
Actuarial assumptions in respect of defined benefit pension schemes
The application of actuarial assumptions relating to defined benefit pension schemes is incorporated in the financial statements in accordance with FRS 102. In applying FRS 102, advice is taken from independent qualified actuaries. In this context, significant judgement is exercised in a number of areas, including future changes in salaries and inflation, mortality rates and the selection of appropriate discount rates.
Provision for bad debts
Debts are provided for if not recovered within one term. Estimating amounts to provide against recovery of debts is a matter of judgement.
Depreciation, impairment and residual values of fixed assets
Judgement is exercised in estimating the residual values of fixed assets, the selection of appropriate rates for depreciation, and for matters of impairment.
63