Downside School

Analysis

Downside School is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Radstock. It was registered in July 2019, 7 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 11751009). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending August 2025, Downside School reported income of £9.6m and spending of £10.1m, spending 106% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £4.4m to £9.6m (+118%), an average of +22% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2022, when income rose by 130%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Downside 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 Worcester Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (£9.5m), The Catholic Schools Trust (£9.8m) and Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Finance (£9.4m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 86%, donations and legacies 6.1% and trading 2.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £20k. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 1.5%. It employed 185 people.

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.