Minerva Learning Trust

UID 3921·Companies House 09200332·Incorporated September 2014·Compare

Schools

Flags

28 high severity

Finance: 2025/26Ofsted: Jun 2025Performance: 2025/26Workforce: 2026/27Attendance: 2025/26

Total income

£54.7m

7,340 pupils

Avg staff costs

77.2%

of income

Avg reserves

0.3%

of income

Avg absence

More metrics

Avg FSM

37.8%

free school meals

Capacity

96%

7,340 / 7,625 places

Total admin cost

£2.0m

£271 per pupil

Trust overview

5 of 10 schools report staff costs above the DfE's 78% review point. Staffing ratios reflect phase mix, curriculum and local context as much as efficiency.

1 of 10 schools report negative revenue reserves at year-end. A year-end snapshot can reflect planned spend-down, in-trust transfers or timing; the trust's audited accounts give the fuller picture.

Trust-average reserves have fallen about 6 percentage points over two years of published returns.

5 of 10 schools spent more than their income in the latest year. Single-year deficits are common around growth, building works or falling rolls; multi-year patterns matter more than one snapshot.

Absence is above the national average in 7 of 9 schools. Attendance tracks intake and local circumstances as well as school practice.

7 schools report persistent absence above 20%, a level the DfE prioritises for additional support.

5 of 9 inspected schools meet the expected standard or above; 4 have at least one area judged below it. Inspection dates vary — some grades predate current leadership.

Generated from published DfE and Ofsted data — year-end snapshots that cannot show in-year plans, restructuring or local context. Reference points are DfE review thresholds, not judgements.

Ofsted & results

Ofsted

56%meeting standard or above

Across 9 graded schools.

Sub-judgements — earlier framework

Quality of education

43% Good+

Good 3RI 3Inad. 1

Behaviour & attitudes

71% Good+

Good 5RI 1Inad. 1

Personal development

71% Good+

Good 5RI 2

Leadership & management

67% Good+

Good 6RI 2Inad. 1

Performance (trust avg)

Key Stage 4

Attainment 8

44.1

-2.1

vs national

Key Stage 2

Expected standard (RWM)

41.3%

-19.7pp

vs national

National averages: 2023/24

Trust details

AddressUnit P3 Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield, S9 1XU

Companies House09200332

Incorporated2 September 2014

Year	Schools	Pupils	Total income	Total expenditure	Avg staff costs %	Avg reserves %
2021/22	9	7,376	£43.7m	£41.0m	76.8%	5.8%
2022/23	9	7,445	£49.4m	£46.7m	77.3%	2.0%
2023/24	10	7,460	£54.5m	£53.0m	80.5%	-6.5%
2024/25partial	10	7,340	£54.7m	£52.6m	77.2%	0.3%
2025/26	10	7,163	—	—	—	—

Central services

2024/25

Centralisation

0.5%

of total trust spend

Typical MAT centralisation ranges from 3-7% of total trust spend. Figures below 2% may indicate limited central coordination; above 10% warrants review of value for money.

CS expenditure

£267,000

CS staff costs

£136,000

CS income

£0

Admin & clerical£54,000

Teaching staff£77,000

ICT£16,000

Premises£1,000

Legal & professional£19,000

Auditor costs£23,000

Governance

Source: Companies House

Board of trustees

Accounts to Aug 2025

9 current directors · Average tenure: 3.2 years · 3 changes in last 12 months

Directors / Trustees (9)

Sarah Jane Dr Williams

director·< 1 year

Dawn Walton

director·1 year

Karen Robinson

director·1 year

Martin John Brader

director·2 years

Carol Jennifer Castle

director·2 years

Nicholas Wood

director·3 years

Giuseppe Di'iasio

director·4 years

John Anthony Doyle

director·4 years

Jonathan Crossley-holland

director·7 years

Company Secretary

Nicola Gregory

secretary·5 years

19 former officers — most recent departure: Nov 2025

Maggie Riley

director·1 year·Resigned Nov 2025

Sarah Alison Cavanagh

director·1 year·Resigned Nov 2025

Diane Dr Burkinshaw

director·4 years·Resigned Mar 2023

Deborah Jane Eaton

director·4 years·Resigned Sept 2022

Fiona Turner

secretary·6 years·Resigned Jun 2021

Roger Salt

Member schools (10)

10 schools|10 with risk flags|17 high severity

School	URN	Phase	Risk flags
Barrow Hill Primary Academy	151309	Primary	ofsted concernhigh absencehigh staff costsin year deficitworkforce pressure
Chapeltown Academy	140940	16 plus	workforce pressurehigh staff costsin year deficit
Dunston Primary and Nursery Academy	145250	Primary	workforce pressurehigh staff costsofsted concern
Ecclesfield School	145191	Secondary	high absence
Handsworth Grange Community Sports College	141495	Secondary	high absencehigh staff costsworkforce pressureofsted concern
High Storrs School	145455	Secondary	high staff costs
Netherthorpe School	137902	Secondary	high absenceworkforce pressureofsted concern
Stocksbridge High School	145274	Secondary	high absenceworkforce pressure
Whittington Moor Nursery and Infant Academy	145520	Primary	high staff costsin year deficitworkforce pressure
Woodthorpe Primary School	148690	Primary	high absenceworkforce pressureperformance declinehigh staff costsin year deficit