Tapping into its accountant’s business acumen is enabling an independent preparatory school in Shropshire to enhance experiential learning whilst also expanding its offering to Years 7 and 8 and providing educational sessions for nursery school age children.
Founded in 1944, Castle House School in Chetwyn End, Newport, currently provides a comprehensive curriculum for children up to Year 6 (age 11 years). Now, it is now expanding its offering to educate 12-13 year olds.
Meanwhile, the school’s on-site nursery has been set up to provide an educational experience – as opposed to a day care service – with lessons, meals and a wide variety of facilities included as standard. Parents can find out more about these exciting new developments when the school holds an ‘open week’ from February 11 to 15.
Working with Stafford-based Howards Chartered Certified Accountants to adopt more of a business approach is enabling the school to make some big improvements with any surplus monies reinvested for the benefit of all the children.
Head teacher Ian Sterling says: “The school celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2019 so it was time to update the way we do things to fall in line with modern thinking.
“Restructuring our approach to finance has meant adopting a more business-like model and enhancing our systems and processes to ensure regulatory compliance. Now, we can focus on showcasing what the school has to offer and instilling a sense of kindness, fair 
play and co-operation.”
Howards amended Castle House School’s Articles of Association and introduced more cost-effective processes surrounding the submission of annual accounts to help the school fulfil its obligations to the Charities Commission.
Matt Bailey, managing director at Howards, says: “The dedicated staff at Castle House School are committed to experiential and hands-on learning both inside and outside the classroom. Carrying out cost/benefit analyses puts things into perspective, enabling the teachers to channel resources into initiatives that will have the biggest impact for their pupils.”
Ian adds: “The team at Howards is extremely supportive and Matt’s background in the education sector is an added bonus because it means we have access to crucial advice that helps us to adapt to changes in the economic climate.”
