Company registration number 09942486 (England and Wales)
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Annual report and financial statements
For the year ended 31 October 2025
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Company Information
Directors
Mr P R Broderick
Mr S Pendergast
Company number
09942486
Registered office
Chester Business Centre
Union Street
Chester
England
CH1 1QP
Auditor
DJH Audit Limited
The Exchange
5 Bank Street
Bury
Lancashire
BL9 0DN
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1 - 3
Directors' report
4
Directors' responsibilities statement
5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 8
Statement of comprehensive income
9
Statement of financial position
10
Statement of changes in equity
11
Notes to the financial statements
12 - 22
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Strategic report
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 1 -

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 October 2025.

 

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of specialist permanent and temporary recruitment services to the education sector.

 

The company operates within the Bluestones Talent Partners division of the Bluestones Investment Group, specifically in the Education sector.

 

The Education division within Bluestones Talent Partners has three distinct brands that combine for a full service provision for education settings in England & Wales, the largest of these being the Connex Education Partnership.

BUSINESS REVIEW

Connex has delivered supply staffing and tuition services to UK schools since 1999. The business has two distinct service offerings, Connex Supply and Connex Tutors.

 

Connex Supply, saw sustained demand for temporary staff placements across Multi Academy Trusts, Local Authority Maintained, and Independent schools in England and Wales. This growth was underpinned by our market-leading candidate development framework, which includes job-ready training, formal qualification pathways, and upskilling initiatives. The division’s ability to rapidly deploy qualified staff has positioned it as a trusted partner for schools navigating staffing shortages and compliance pressures.

 

Connex Tutors, operates a “Professional Tutor” programme, mapped against 22 standards for tutoring excellence, saw a marked increase in adoption. This was particularly evident in virtual schools and local authority contracts, where demand for targeted pupil support surged. The programme’s structured approach and measurable outcomes have helped secure repeat engagements and expanded reach.

 

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead, the Education division is poised to deepen its market penetration and diversify its service offerings:

 

 

The division remains committed to delivering high-impact, scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of the education sector, while maintaining its reputation for quality, compliance, and innovation.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The company utilises various financial instruments, primarily trade receivables, to fund its operational activities. The senior management team regularly reviews and updates policies designed to mitigate associated financial and operational risks. The key risks facing the company in 2025 and beyond are outlined below:

 

Candidate shortages

Candidate availability continues to present challenges, intensified by demographic shifts, evolving job market dynamics, and changing immigration policies. The company addresses these challenges proactively through refined candidate attraction, retention, and re-engagement strategies, supported by robust data analytics and cross-divisional knowledge sharing.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 2 -

Cost of living and inflation

Persistent inflationary pressures and a high cost of living remain significant considerations for employee attraction and retention. The company conducts regular remuneration benchmarking exercises, ensuring competitive and appealing total reward packages. Benefits and remuneration strategies are continually reassessed to align with employee expectations and broader economic conditions.

 

Credit risk

Credit risk management remains integral to financial strategy. Credit is extended based on rigorous assessments of client payment histories and ongoing debt monitoring processes. The company maintains comprehensive credit insurance across its debtor portfolio, continuously reviewed to reflect evolving market conditions.

 

Interest rate risk

The company's financial operations are strategically balanced between retained earnings and reputable external factoring arrangements. Interest rate exposure is continually monitored and managed, with an expectation that as company revenues and net assets expand, relative debt servicing costs will decrease.

 

Sector and competitor risk

The recruitment sector remains highly competitive with several national and international market players. The company differentiates itself through equity participation models, ensuring alignment of management and business objectives, thus enhancing service quality and operational effectiveness.

 

Customer risk

The quality of customer service directly influences customer retention and business sustainability. Strategic divisional restructuring and enhanced cross-selling initiatives across the Bluestones network are central to maintaining superior service levels and customer satisfaction.

 

Legal and regulatory risk

The recruitment industry continues to experience significant regulatory scrutiny. The company proactively adapts to legislative changes, particularly relating to HMRC compliance, employment laws, data protection, and evolving labour market regulations. Continuous vigilance ensures ongoing compliance and minimisation of operational disruptions.

 

Economic uncertainty

Economic volatility, potentially influenced by global market disruptions, political uncertainty, or recessionary pressures, continues to affect recruitment cycles and client commitments. The company remains agile, regularly reviewing economic indicators and adjusting strategies to mitigate risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

 

IT and cyber risk

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve in sophistication and frequency. The company prioritises investment in advanced cybersecurity measures, data protection protocols, and comprehensive disaster recovery systems, ensuring operational resilience and the secure handling of sensitive information.

 

International conflict and geopolitical risk

The continuing geopolitical tensions, notably the extended Russia-Ukraine conflict and emerging global disruptions, pose ongoing risks to international trade, market stability, and specific sectors in which the company operates. Monitoring geopolitical developments closely, the company adjusts operational and strategic plans proactively to manage potential impacts.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological advancements

Rapid advancements in AI and related technologies present significant opportunities and risks. The integration of AI systems is actively pursued to enhance operational efficiency, candidate matching, and client services. However, the company remains attentive to potential disruptive impacts on employment models, candidate expectations, and the regulatory environment, strategically positioning itself to leverage AI advancements effectively while mitigating associated risks.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Strategic report (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 3 -
KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS

Internally the key financial indicators and management information are regarded as very important and are assessed and reviewed company by company and acted upon on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

 

There is a high-level three-year plan and a detailed annual budget prepared which is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Key Financial Indicators include:

 

- Revenue growth

- Revenue per customer

- Trade indemnity / Insurable risk on a customer-by-customer basis

- EBITDA / by division / by brand

- Gross profit achieved

- Gross margin achieved by consultant

- Conversion ratio of gross margin to EBITDA

- Profitability per head - fees per full time equivalent (FTE) employee

- Debtor days

- Creditor days

- Permanent fee per placement

- Number of temporary workers at work

- Forward bookings for temporary workers

On behalf of the board

Mr S Pendergast
Director
30 July 2026
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Directors' Report
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 4 -

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of specialist permanent and temporary recruitment services to the education sector.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £77,565. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

Directors

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

Mr P R Broderick
Mr S Pendergast
Auditor

The auditor, DJH Audit Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosure in strategic report

The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report.

Statement of disclosure to auditor

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

On behalf of the board
Mr S Pendergast
Director
30 July 2026
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Directors' responsibilites statement
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 5 -

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare 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 company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

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 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.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of Connex Education Partnership Limited
- 6 -
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Connex Education Partnership Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 October 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity 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 Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the 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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's 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.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the members of Connex Education Partnership Limited
- 7 -

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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.

 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors 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 company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 auditor's 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

As part of our planning process:

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the members of Connex Education Partnership Limited
- 8 -

The key procedures we undertook to detect irregularities including fraud during the course of the audit included:

 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities and fraud rests with the directors.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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 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 company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Bell (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of DJH Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor
Accountants
The Exchange
5 Bank Street
Bury
Lancashire
BL9 0DN
30 July 2026
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 9 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
5,282,182
1,254,425
Cost of sales
(4,660,339)
(1,154,670)
Gross profit
621,843
99,755
Administrative expenses
(2,053,677)
(1,147,836)
Other operating income
1,547,115
1,247,410
Operating profit
4
115,281
199,329
Interest receivable and similar income
7
873
-
0
Interest payable and similar expenses
8
(20,923)
(5,052)
Profit before taxation
95,231
194,277
Tax on profit
9
9,746
(102,323)
Profit for the financial year
104,977
91,954

The income statement has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Statement Of Financial Position
As at 31 October 2025
31 October 2025
- 10 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
10
59,688
136,075
Tangible assets
11
23,772
43,098
83,460
179,173
Current assets
Debtors
12
22,895,803
20,367,035
Cash at bank and in hand
179,662
36,381
23,075,465
20,403,416
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
(23,104,034)
(20,550,278)
Net current liabilities
(28,569)
(146,862)
Total assets less current liabilities
54,891
32,311
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
14
15,697
20,529
(15,697)
(20,529)
Net assets
39,194
11,782
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
16
100
100
Profit and loss reserves
39,094
11,682
Total equity
39,194
11,782

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 July 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr S  Pendergast
Director
Company registration number 09942486 (England and Wales)
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 11 -
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
Balance at 1 November 2023
100
17,011
17,111
Year ended 31 October 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
91,954
91,954
Dividends
-
(97,283)
(97,283)
Balance at 31 October 2024
100
11,682
11,782
Year ended 31 October 2025:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
104,977
104,977
Dividends
-
(77,565)
(77,565)
Balance at 31 October 2025
100
39,094
39,194
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 12 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Connex Education Partnership Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The company's registered number is 09942486 and the registered office address is Unit A Telford Court, Chester Gates Business Park, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 6LT.

1.1
Accounting convention

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

 

1.2
Going concern

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Turnover

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

1.4
Research and development expenditure

Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
1.5
Intangible fixed assets - goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of unincorporated businesses over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is five years.

 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

1.6
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

 

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Development costs
20% on cost
1.7
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Plant and equipment
33% on cost
Computers
33% on cost

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.

1.8
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

1.9
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10
Financial instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's statement of financial position when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method 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. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

 

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

 

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Classification of 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 deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial liabilities

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

 

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 16 -
Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

1.12
Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

1.13
Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.14
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.15
Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

There are currently no significant judgements and estimates applied by the directors which are considered key to the preparation of the financial statements.

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 17 -
3
Turnover and other revenue

All turnover is generated in the United Kingdom and is attributable to the principal activity of the company.

 

2025
2024
£
£
Other revenue
Interest income
873
-
4
Operating profit
2025
2024
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
30,061
34,519
Amortisation of intangible assets
76,387
124,491
Operating lease charges
64,809
96,821

Audit fees are paid by the ultimate parent company.

5
Employees

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

2025
2024
Number
Number
Employees
62
61
Directors
2
2
Total
64
63

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
1,114,797
345,542
Social security costs
129,905
96,054
Pension costs
21,971
18,611
1,266,673
460,207

Connex Education Partnership Limited cross-charges salary costs to its sister companies. The above amounts are stated net of any cross-charges. Total salary costs cross-charged in 2025 is £2,090,887 (2024: £1,812,709).

Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 18 -
6
Directors' remuneration
2025
2024
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
9,764
9,504
7
Interest receivable and similar income
2025
2024
£
£
Interest income
Other interest income
873
-
0
8
Interest payable and similar expenses
2025
2024
£
£
Interest on invoice finance arrangements
20,923
4,331
Other interest
-
0
721
20,923
5,052
9
Taxation
2025
2024
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
-
0
97,820
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
(4,914)
(1,679)
Total current tax
(4,914)
96,141
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(4,832)
6,182
Total tax (credit)/charge
(9,746)
102,323
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
9
Taxation
(Continued)
- 19 -

The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

2025
2024
£
£
Profit before taxation
95,231
194,277
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2024: 25%)
23,808
48,569
Effects of:
Expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
26,993
53,480
Adjustments in respect of prior years
(4,914)
(1,679)
Group relief
(50,801)
-
0
Permanent capital allowances in excess of depreciation
(4,832)
1,953
Taxation (credit)/charge in the financial statements
(9,746)
102,323
10
Intangible fixed assets
Goodwill
Development costs
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025
221,849
815,807
1,037,656
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 November 2024
221,849
679,732
901,581
Amortisation charged for the year
-
0
76,387
76,387
At 31 October 2025
221,849
756,119
977,968
Carrying amount
At 31 October 2025
-
0
59,688
59,688
At 31 October 2024
-
0
136,075
136,075
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 20 -
11
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and equipment
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 November 2024
16,789
191,063
207,852
Additions
305
10,430
10,735
Transfers
(13,386)
13,386
-
0
At 31 October 2025
3,708
214,879
218,587
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 November 2024
12,389
152,365
164,754
Depreciation charged in the year
993
29,068
30,061
Transfers
(11,239)
11,239
-
0
At 31 October 2025
2,143
192,672
194,815
Carrying amount
At 31 October 2025
1,565
22,207
23,772
At 31 October 2024
4,400
38,698
43,098
12
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
3,046,691
2,617,264
Amounts owed by group undertakings
19,053,530
16,637,228
Other debtors
713,373
1,056,072
Prepayments and accrued income
82,209
56,471
22,895,803
20,367,035
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Trade creditors
57,868
35,798
Amounts owed to group undertakings
20,380,655
18,786,781
Corporation tax
92,034
98,541
Other taxation and social security
1,849,159
861,054
Other creditors
160,052
-
0
Accruals and deferred income
564,266
768,104
23,104,034
20,550,278
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
- 21 -
14
Deferred taxation

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company:

Liabilities
Liabilities
2025
2024
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
15,697
20,529
2025
Movements in the year:
£
Liability at 1 November 2024
20,529
Credit to profit or loss
(4,832)
Liability at 31 October 2025
15,697
15
Retirement benefit schemes
2025
2024
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
21,971
18,611

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.

16
Share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
100
100
100
100
17
Secured debts

RBS Invoice Finance Ltd have a fixed and floating charge on all company assets.

18
Operating lease commitments
As lessee
Connex Education Partnership Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 October 2025
18
Operating lease commitments
(Continued)
- 22 -

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2025
2024
£
£
Within 1 year
42,964
22,665
Years 2-5
58,535
-
0
101,499
22,665
19
Ultimate controlling party

At the year end the immediate parent company was The Classroom Partnership Limited, a company registered in England and Wales.

 

The ultimate parent company and controlling party was Bluestones Investment Group Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The results of the company are included within the consolidated financial statements of Bluestones Investment Group Limited, copies of which can be obtained from Companies House. The company's registered office is Chester Business Centre, Union Street, Chester, CH1 1QP, England.

2025-10-312024-11-01falsefalsefalseCCH SoftwareCCH Accounts Production 2026.100Mr P R BroderickMr S Pendergast099424862024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:Director12024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:Director22024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:RegisteredOffice2024-11-012025-10-31099424862025-10-31099424862023-11-012024-10-3109942486core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2023-11-012024-10-3109942486core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill2025-10-3109942486core:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill2024-10-3109942486core:Goodwill2025-10-3109942486core:DevelopmentCostsCapitalisedDevelopmentExpenditure2025-10-3109942486core:Goodwill2024-10-3109942486core:DevelopmentCostsCapitalisedDevelopmentExpenditure2024-10-31099424862024-10-3109942486core:PlantMachinery2025-10-3109942486core:ComputerEquipment2025-10-3109942486core:PlantMachinery2024-10-3109942486core:ComputerEquipment2024-10-3109942486core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2025-10-3109942486core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2024-10-3109942486core:ShareCapital2025-10-3109942486core:ShareCapital2024-10-3109942486core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2025-10-3109942486core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-10-3109942486core:ShareCapital2023-10-3109942486core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2023-10-3109942486core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12025-10-3109942486core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12024-10-3109942486core:Goodwill2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:DevelopmentCostsCapitalisedDevelopmentExpenditure2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:PlantMachinery2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:ComputerEquipment2024-11-012025-10-310994248612024-11-012025-10-310994248612023-11-012024-10-3109942486core:UKTax2024-11-012025-10-3109942486core:UKTax2023-11-012024-10-3109942486core:Goodwill2024-10-3109942486core:DevelopmentCostsCapitalisedDevelopmentExpenditure2024-10-31099424862024-10-3109942486core:PlantMachinery2024-10-3109942486core:ComputerEquipment2024-10-3109942486core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2025-10-3109942486core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2024-10-3109942486bus:OrdinaryShareClass12024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:OrdinaryShareClass12025-10-3109942486bus:OrdinaryShareClass12024-10-3109942486core:WithinOneYear2025-10-3109942486core:WithinOneYear2024-10-3109942486core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2025-10-3109942486core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2024-10-3109942486bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd2024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:FRS1022024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:Audited2024-11-012025-10-3109942486bus:FullAccounts2024-11-012025-10-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP