The Forge Trust

UID 16355·Companies House 09443602·Incorporated February 2015·Compare

Schools

Flags

1 high severity

Finance: 2024/25Ofsted: Jan 2023Performance: 2025/26Workforce: 2025/26Attendance: 2025/26

Total income

£15.8m

2,285 pupils

Avg staff costs

76.8%

of income

Avg reserves

20.5%

of income

Avg absence

5.6%

Persistent: 14.9%

More metrics

Avg FSM

35.6%

free school meals

Capacity

85%

2,285 / 2,684 places

Trust overview

3 of 8 schools have staff costs above the DfE's 78% review threshold — review against school context.

2 of 8 schools have reserves below the DfE's 5% minimum.

1 of 8 schools had expenditure exceeding income this year.

Overall absence is above the national average in 25% of schools (2 of 8).

1 school has persistent absence above 20%.

88% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding across sub-judgements.

Reference points from DfE published guidance. Whether any metric warrants action depends on the trust's context and strategy.

At a glance

3 schools with staff costs above 78%3 schools with workforce pressure1 school with Ofsted concerns1 school in deficit

Ofsted sub-judgements

Quality of education

80% Good+

Good 4RI 1

Behaviour & attitudes

100% Good+

Outst. 1Good 4

Personal development

100% Good+

Good 5

Leadership & management

88% Good+

Outst. 1Good 6RI 1

Performance (trust avg)

Key Stage 2

Expected standard (RWM)

73.3%

+12.3pp

vs national

National averages: 2023/24

Trust details

AddressThe Sir Donald Bailey Academy, Newark, NG24 4EP

Companies House09443602

Incorporated17 February 2015

Trust growth over time

matpulse.co.uk

Schools Pupils

Year	Schools	Pupils	Total income	Total expenditure	Avg staff costs %	Avg reserves %
2021/22	7	2,138	£11.0m	£10.8m	71.4%	21.6%
2022/23	7	2,171	£13.8m	£13.1m	73.8%	24.0%
2023/24	8	2,285	£15.8m	£15.2m	76.8%	20.5%
2024/25partial	8	2,283	—	—	—	—

Central services — 2023/24

Centralisation

4.2%

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

£667,000

CS staff costs

£491,000

CS income

£88,000

Admin & clerical£165,000

Teaching staff£283,000

ICT£0

Premises£1,000

Legal & professional£48,000

Auditor costs£28,000

Governance

Accounts to Aug 2025Source: Companies House

9 current directors · Average tenure: 3.9 years

Directors / Trustees (9)

Susan Bird

director·1 year

Andrew Bailey

director·1 year

Paul Gill

director·1 year

Penelope Clare Worrell

director·2 years

Haley Sharon Berry

director·2 years

Lorraine Pannell

director·2 years

Linda Jane Sargisson

director·5 years

Patricia Ann Astill

director·6 years

Susan Trentini

director·11 years

20 former officers — most recent departure: Dec 2024

Gary Corban

director·2 years·Resigned Sept 2023

Gentian Marguerite Bradley

director·2 years·Resigned Aug 2023

Beryce Amy Nixon

director·2 years·Resigned Aug 2023

Daniel Peter Johnson

director·3 years·Resigned Oct 2023

Declan Ray Barker

director·3 years·Resigned Oct 2023

Susan Bird

Member schools (8)

8 schools|6 with risk flags|1 high severity

School	URN	Phase	Risk flags
Maun Infant and Nursery School	151216	Primary	ofsted concernin year deficit
The Forest View Academy	143886	Primary	high staff costs
The Marton Academy	144912	Primary	high staff costs
The Parkgate Academy	143140	Primary	—
The Python Hill Academy	146314	Primary	workforce pressure
The Sir Donald Bailey Academy	141760	Primary	workforce pressure
The St Augustine's Academy	148383	Primary	high staff costsworkforce pressure
The West Park Academy	144885	Primary	—