St Columba's College and Preparatory School
Analysis
St Columba's College and Preparatory School is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in St. Albans. It was registered in September 2001, 25 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04228443). It says it makes grants to individuals and provides services.
In the financial year ending August 2025, St Columba's College and Preparatory School reported income of £16.9m and spending of £15.8m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £11.3m to £16.9m (+49%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2023, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, St Columba's College and Preparatory School sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The House of the Blessed Mary the Virgin in Oxford, Commonly Called Oriel College, of the Foundation of Edward the Second of Famous Memory Sometime King of England (£15.8m), Brentwood Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust (£17.2m) and Mayfield School Ltd (£15.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 98%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.3%. Reserves of £14.5m would cover about 11 months of spending at that rate. It employed 185 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.9%
- Charitable activities 98%
- Investments 1.0%
In the charity's own words
The Charity provides education in St Albans to boys and girls from the ages of 4 to 18. It promotes the intellectual, social, moral and spiritual development of young people within a school community rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition. The Charity actively supports schools of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, especially through an annual work projects.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The House of the Blessed Mary the Virgin in Oxford, Commonly Called Oriel College, of the Foundation of Edward the Second of Famous Memory Sometime King of England | Oxford | £15.8m |
| Brentwood Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust | Essex | £17.2m |
| Mayfield School Ltd | Mayfield | £15.4m |
| Guildford Diocesan Board of Finance | Guildford | £17.3m |