Registered number: 03680796
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
CONTENTS
CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The independent school sector has faced a number of headwinds in recent years, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the cost of living crisis to the introduction of VAT on private school fees. Given these challenges the directors are pleased the Company has reported a modest profit for the year and has been able to invest in the School’s physical estate as well.
During 2023-24 planning permission was obtained for the creation of a Food Studio at the Senior Boys site: building work commenced at the end of the summer term 2024 and was completed during the first half of the autumn term 2024. Similarly at Juniors, during 2023-24 planning permission was obtained for the development of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) for which works also commenced during the summer 2024: this work was completed in March 2025.
Pupil numbers remained virtually constant with the previous year with the average roll number during the year being 970 (2023-24: 971). Nursery and Junior numbers fell from 280 to 268 (4.3% decrease), Seniors remained constant, and there was by a rise in the Sixth Form (7.3% increase). Other all through schools such as ours have reported similar experiences with commentators pointing to the national demographic decline in children of school age, particularly marked in the primary phase, coupled to the imposition of VAT on school fees from January 2025 which has had a marked effect on a typical family’s appetite for private education.
During the Academic Year under review, the School continued to make school places available on a pro bono basis to displaced Ukrainian children whose education had been disrupted by the Russian invasion of their native country in February 2022.
In terms of compliance and educational quality, the School was inspected by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate in November 2022. A follow-up monitoring inspection was conducted in January 2024 when the School was found to fully meet all the Independent School Standards.
During 2023-24 planning permission was obtained for the creation of a Food Studio at the Senior Boys site: building work commenced at the end of the summer term 2024 and was completed during the first half of the autumn term 2024. Similarly at Juniors, during 2023-24 planning permission was obtained for the development of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) for which works also commenced during the summer 2024: this work was completed in March 2025.
Pupil numbers remained virtually constant with the previous year with the average roll number during the year being 970 (2023-24: 971). Nursery and Junior numbers fell from 280 to 268 (4.3% decrease), Seniors remained constant, and there was by a rise in the Sixth Form (7.3% increase). Other all through schools such as ours have reported similar experiences with commentators pointing to the national demographic decline in children of school age, particularly marked in the primary phase, coupled to the imposition of VAT on school fees from January 2025 which has had a marked effect on a typical family’s appetite for private education.
During the Academic Year under review, the School continued to make school places available on a pro bono basis to displaced Ukrainian children whose education had been disrupted by the Russian invasion of their native country in February 2022.
In terms of compliance and educational quality, the School was inspected by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate in November 2022. A follow-up monitoring inspection was conducted in January 2024 when the School was found to fully meet all the Independent School Standards.
Shortly after the Labour Party’s election to form the new UK Government in July 2024, the incoming Chancellor announced her intention to apply VAT on private school fees at the standard rate of 20% from 1 January 2025. This has significantly increased the costs to our fee payers, leading to a reduction in pupil numbers. Government policy, and its impact on demand for private education, remains the main risk for the Company.
The business is also exposed to risks and uncertainties experienced by the economy as a whole. When the economy and general prosperity increase the numbers of parents choosing private education also increase. The directors seek to tailor the resources of the business to the demand for private education in the area where it operates.
The birth rate in the catchment area for pupils who might attend the School also poses a risk. A falling birth rate self evidently means the pool of future pupils is smaller, and therefore in isolation increases competition amongst local schools.
The directors seek to minimise the impact of these risks by delivering excellent education and outcomes for all the School’s pupils, taking steps to ensure the Company’s cost base remains aligned to the number of pupils attending the School, without compromising the quality of the education provided and the outcomes delivered, together with identifying new ways to generate additional income through commercial activities and fundraising.
The business is also exposed to risks and uncertainties experienced by the economy as a whole. When the economy and general prosperity increase the numbers of parents choosing private education also increase. The directors seek to tailor the resources of the business to the demand for private education in the area where it operates.
The birth rate in the catchment area for pupils who might attend the School also poses a risk. A falling birth rate self evidently means the pool of future pupils is smaller, and therefore in isolation increases competition amongst local schools.
The directors seek to minimise the impact of these risks by delivering excellent education and outcomes for all the School’s pupils, taking steps to ensure the Company’s cost base remains aligned to the number of pupils attending the School, without compromising the quality of the education provided and the outcomes delivered, together with identifying new ways to generate additional income through commercial activities and fundraising.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Company monitors the key performance indicators of similar all-through day independent schools and its performance is commensurate with others in the sector. The fall in pupil numbers resulting from the pandemic has been reversed and consequently turnover improved on the previous two years.
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The directors who served during the year were:
The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £213,712 (2024: loss £72,554).
Dividends of £Nil were paid during the year (2024: £56,000).
Dividends of £Nil were paid during the year (2024: £56,000).
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic report, the Directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The auditors, James Cowper Kreston Audit, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Claires Court Schools Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 August 2025, which comprise the Statement of comprehensive income, the Analysis of net debt, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows, the Statement of changes in equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the 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 Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months 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.
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. 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 to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Strategic report and the Directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors' report.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that 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 the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.
The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
The specific procedures for this engagement that we designed and performed to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud, were as follows:
The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
The specific procedures for this engagement that we designed and performed to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud, were as follows:
∙Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims;
∙Enquiry of management and those charged with governance to identify any material instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
∙Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
∙Performing audit work to address the risk of irregularities due to management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for evidence of bias
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' 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 Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
2 Communications Road
Greenham Business Park
Greenham
RG19 6AB
29 May 2026
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 03680796
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes on pages 14 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Claires Court Schools Limited is a private company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is Heatherley, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8DR.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
The Company depends on its bank facilities, which include an overdraft facility of £1.5m, to meet its day to day working capital requirements. Current forecasts indicate the company expects to be able to operate within these facilities for the whole of the foreseeable future. These facilities are renewed annually and are not guaranteed for the period covered by the going concern review. The directors are not aware, however, of any circumstances that may adversely affect the renewal of these facilities. Accordingly, the directors believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.
Fees received for education to be provided in future years are carried forward as advance fee scheme payments and fees received in advance in the balance sheet. These fees are released to the statement of financial activities over the period in which the school provides the services in future years.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method and reducing balance method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
In the Statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Company's cash management.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation, taking into account the related risks and uncertainties.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The Company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 “Basic Financial Instruments” of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusted for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial assets that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss) and are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other debtors due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments.
Basic financial liabilities
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after the deduction of all its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other creditors, bank loans and other loans are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusting for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial liabilities that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss). When this constitutes a financing transaction, whereby the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest, discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Trade creditors are classified as current liabilities if the payment is due within one year. If not, they represent non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are initially recognised at their transaction price and subsequently are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets
The annual depreciation charge for the tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual value of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended where necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancements, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.
Impairment of debtors
The company makes an estimate of the recoverable value of the trade and other debtors. When assessing impairment of trade and other debtors, management consider factors including ageing profile and historical experience.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
11.Taxation (continued)
There were no factors that may affect future tax charges.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
All bank loans are with National Westminster Bank plc which has a specific equitable charge over all freehold and leasehold properties, which had a net book value of £6,629,185 (2024: £6,655,253) and/or proceeds of sale thereof, fixed and floating charge over undertaking and all property and assets present and future including goodwill, book debt and the benefits of any licences, in respect of all monies due or to become due from the company to the charge of any account whatsoever.
The loan is secured by the above debenture, plus first legal charge on land at Cannon Lane, Maidenhead and also land and buildings at The Thicket, College Avenue, and Ray Mill Road East, Maidenhead, together with and postponement of the directors’ loans.
The loan is secured by the above debenture, plus first legal charge on land at Cannon Lane, Maidenhead and also land and buildings at The Thicket, College Avenue, and Ray Mill Road East, Maidenhead, together with and postponement of the directors’ loans.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Share premium account
Profit and loss account
The Company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amounted to £1,239,147 (2024: £1,266,438). Contributions totalling £149,787 (2024: £156,609) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
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CLAIRES COURT SCHOOLS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
During the year, the company was under the control of H St. J. Wilding and J. T. Wilding, who were the directors and shareholders of the company. Following the year end, the company was acquired, and the ultimate controlling party is now the Licensed Trade Charity .
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