St Edward's School
Analysis
St Edward's School is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxford. It was registered in March 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00116784). It says it provides services.
In the financial year ending August 2025, St Edward's School reported income of £41.1m and spending of £37.4m, spending 91% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £25.7m to £41.1m (+60%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2024, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, St Edward's 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Cotswold Archaeology Ltd (£39.2m), Sadler's Wells Trust Limited (£43.3m) and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Limited (£39.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 89%, donations and legacies 4.6%, trading 3.6% and investments 2.0%. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 0.8%. Reserves of £39.1m would cover about 13 months of spending at that rate. It employed 550 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 4.6%
- Charitable activities 89%
- Trading 3.6%
- Investments 2.0%
- Other 1.2%
In the charity's own words
The objects of the Charity are, for the benefit of the public, to promote and provide for the advancement of education of children and young people, in particular by providing, conducting, governing, carrying on and maintaining in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere, a boarding and/or day school, or schools.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Cotswold Archaeology Ltd | Cirencester | £39.2m |
| Sadler's Wells Trust Limited | London | £43.3m |
| Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Limited | Birmingham | £39.1m |
| Glyndebourne Productions Limited | Lewes | £43.4m |