Their own payment-practices filing · gov.uk
How long does Ark Schools take to pay its suppliers?
Self-reported figure from their statutory filing. How this is compiled.
On the public register · Companies House
Company record
- Status
- Active
- Type
- PRI/LBG/NSC (Private, Limited by guarantee, no share capital, use of 'Limited' exemption)
- Incorporated
- 26 Apr 2004
- Registered office
- 1 EDCITY, LONDON, W12 7TF
Terms vs reality
Stated terms: 30 days. Reported average: 33.
At a glance
The key figures
Vs peers · latest reported averages
The pattern
Holding steady
Average days to pay across their last 6 statutory reports.
Where their supplier invoices land · latest period
The read · computed from their figures
Ark Schools has filed 17 statutory payment periods (earliest H1 2018). Their latest report puts the average at 33 days against stated terms of 30 days.
The pattern is steady — their reported average moves within about ±1 days period to period.
In the latest period 31% of invoices were paid outside their agreed terms, and 9% landed 61+ days out.
What they tell their suppliers
In their own words · from the filing
Standard payment terms
1.1 The Supplier shall invoice the Customer for: (a) (if this contract is for the supply of goods only) the Goods no sooner than completion of delivery of the Goods or, if later, the Customer’s acceptance of the Goods or otherwise (b) (if this contract is for the supply of goods and services) no sooner than Completion of the Deliverables. 1.2 The Price for the Goods/ Services shall become due upon receipt of the invoice by the Customer (the “Due Date”). 1.3 The final date for payment of the Price shall be 30 days from the due date (the “Final Date for Payment”). 1.4 To the extent that the Customer wishes to make any deduction from the Price to be paid to the Customer they shall notify the Customer in writing no later than 7 days before the Final Date for Payment by the issue of a Pay
Dispute resolution
The organisation has a dedicated Accounts Payable Team which is contactable by phone and email. Each school have their own Finance team. For disputes related to schools, vendors should contact the school finance team in the first instance and escalate to the Accounts Payable Team if necessary. Vendors with invoice queries related to central invoices need to contact the Accounts Payable Team. The accounts payable team will reach out to the budget holder if they are unable to resolve or if it is not clear from the system why the invoice has not been approved for payment.
Every statutory report on record
Most recent first.
| Period | Avg days | Outside terms | 61+ days | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 2026 | 33 | 31% | 9% | 30 Mar 2026 |
| H1 2025 | 33 | 33% | 9% | 26 Sept 2025 |
| H1 2025 | 33 | 29% | 8% | 21 Mar 2025 |
| H1 2024 | 34 | 35% | 9% | 26 Sept 2024 |
| H1 2024 | 34 | 30% | 10% | 28 Mar 2024 |
| H1 2023 | 35 | 33% | 10% | 27 Sept 2023 |
| H1 2023 | 38 | 31% | 12% | 28 Mar 2023 |
| H1 2022 | 39 | 36% | 13% | 28 Sept 2022 |
| H1 2022 | 41 | 38% | 15% | 30 Mar 2022 |
| H1 2021 | 38 | 35% | 13% | 27 Sept 2021 |
| H1 2021 | 37 | 38% | 13% | 25 Mar 2021 |
| H1 2020 | 37 | 35% | 13% | 1 Oct 2020 |
| H1 2020 | 30 | 31% | 10% | 12 Mar 2020 |
| H1 2019 | 32 | 35% | 10% | 30 Sept 2019 |
| H1 2019 | 35 | 37% | 13% | 29 Mar 2019 |
| H1 2018 | 34 | 52% | 29% | 27 Sept 2018 |
| H1 2018 | 33 | 59% | 10% | 29 Mar 2018 |
Working-capital effect
What a 33-day cycle ties up
Illustrative. On a hypothetical £12k/month account, at a 33-day vs a 30-day payment cycle.
Late Payment Act. The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act lets a supplier charge statutory interest and fixed compensation on invoices paid past agreed terms. Work out what a late invoice is worth → Whether it applies depends on your contract — check with an adviser.
Quick answers
Are they getting slower or faster?
What's their typical pay point?
Can I see what this means for my invoices?
Stay ahead
Watch Ark Schools (free)
Their next payment report is due ≈ 26 Sept 2026. We watch their public record and email you when something changes — a new payment report, late filings, insolvency markers, new charges.
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More large companies in education
Ardingly College Limited · Aspire Academy Trust · Arden Multi Academy Trust · Asset Education · Archway Learning Trust · Athena Schools Trust
How UK payment reporting works
What is a Payment Practices Report?
What does "paid outside agreed terms" mean?
How often is this data updated?
Is this official government data?
How this is compiled. Built from official records only: Companies House and the gov.uk payment-practices service. The payment figures are self-reported — companies over the size threshold must file them by law and the board signs them off. No credit-agency data. The numbers are theirs; the plain-English read is ours. This is information compiled from public records under the Open Government Licence v3.0 — not a credit rating and not advice.
The 31-day comparison figure is the median across 6,185 companies with a current statutory report — every sector pooled, not an average of sector medians (how the figure is built).
Report PL-05112090 · latest period to 28 Feb 2026
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