Birkenhead School (Charity Number: 1093419)

Birkenhead School is an independent, co-educational nonprofit educational institution located in the United Kingdom, catering to boys and girls aged from 3 months to 18 years[1]. The school is structured into several key stages: Nursery (3 months to 3 years), Pre-Prep (3 to 4 years), Prep (Reception through Year 6), Seniors (Years 7 to 11), and Sixth Form (Lower and Upper Sixth)[5].

Overview and Educational Provision

The school provides a comprehensive educational experience with an academic-selective admissions process starting at the prep level[5]. It offers various forms of financial assistance, including means-tested bursaries which can cover up to 100% of tuition fees, supporting approximately 70 to 80 pupils annually. These bursaries are managed through the Birkenhead School Foundation Trust, which also supports the school by providing funds for bursaries and other initiatives[3][5]. Additionally, Birkenhead School awards Academic and Music Scholarships for entry into Year 6 and Academic Sixth Form Scholarships for exceptional GCSE results, including Access Scholarships for outstanding students entering the Sixth Form from other schools[5].

Charitable Status and Financial Information

Registered as charity number 1093419, Birkenhead School operates with charitable objectives primarily centered on education and community support. For the financial year ending 31 August 2023, the school reported a total income of approximately £12.48 million, primarily derived from charitable activities including tuition fees, supplemented by donations, government contracts, grants, and investment income. Total expenditure was approximately £11.97 million, majorly allocated to charitable activities[1].

The school employs around 167 staff members and is managed by a board of 9 trustees along with 30 volunteers. The salary structure includes several employees earning over £60,000 annually, reflecting its status as a significant educational institution[1].

Community Involvement and Charity Work

Birkenhead School actively participates in local and international community support initiatives. It supports a variety of charitable causes both within the local area and abroad, fostering a caring and inclusive community environment for its students and stakeholders[2].

Fundraising and Bursary Campaigns

The school runs ongoing fundraising efforts, including the 'Birkenhead Transforms' campaign, aimed at raising £5 million by 2032 to fund additional bursary places. This initiative seeks to provide fully funded bursaries that cover tuition, uniforms, travel, and school supplies, ensuring that bursary recipients can experience the full benefits of attending Birkenhead School[4].

Quality of Education

The Independent Schools Inspectorate's most recent inspection in December 2021 rated the school highly. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, all inspected categories were graded as outstanding. The Educational Quality Inspection awarded the school an "excellent" rating in both pupils’ academic and personal development achievements, the highest judgments possible[5].

This overview highlights Birkenhead School's role as a well-established charity offering inclusive, high-quality education while actively engaging in charitable work to support broader community needs.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search/-/charity-details/3993921 [2] https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/about-us/community-involvement/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/3949586 [4] https://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk/about-us/support-us/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkenhead_School