BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Company number: 07401701
Reporting period:
1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026
Report filed on:
27 March 2026
Approved by:
Nicholas James Smith
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 33 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £7,913,000 (78%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £1,579,460 (16%)
- in 61 days or more: £613,504 (6%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 66%
- in 31 to 60 days: 23%
- in 61 days or more: 11%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £517,463
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 4%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 0%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
14 days
Longest standard payment period
30 days
Standard payment terms
All invoices should be paid within 30 days of receipt.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
30 days
No further comment provided
Any other information about payment terms
No further comment provided
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
More complex construction contracts where the risk of latent defects is higher than in a standard contract for buildings refurbishment.
Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?
No
Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?
No
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
Yes:
As a state funded Multi‑Academy Trust, our organisation does not have “clients” in the commercial sense and does not receive retention deductions from those we serve. Our pupils receive free education and therefore no retention mechanisms are applied to us upstream.
However, when we undertake capital, refurbishment, or construction works, we may apply retention clauses to suppliers and contractors as part of standard risk‑management practice. In these cases, the retention terms we apply are not directly comparable to any terms applied to us, because no such upstream retention exists.
Therefore, our retention clauses may appear more onerous than those applied to us on the same project. Retention may be applied on projects of higher value, longer duration, or increased complexity, where staged retention release aligns with construction risk levels.
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
Depending on the nature and scale of the construction project, two standard approaches for releasing retention are used. Both methods ensure retained funds are released fairly, transparently, and in line with industry practice. Retention release is strictly linked to obligations under the contract for which it is used and not conditional on performing obligations under another contract.
For smaller scale contracts the full retention amount (usually 3%–5%) is held fora period of usually 12 months from the date of practical completion.
During this 12‑month period, we monitor any defects or remedial works required.
At the end of the period, a final inspection is conducted. If all works are satisfactory and any defects have been addressed, 100% of the retention is released in one payment.
Contractors submit a retention release invoice at the one‑year point, which is then processed in accordance with our finance system authorisation protocols.
Is the money released in stages?
Yes:
For larger scale building contracts retention is usually released in two stages.
- 50% at practical completion once works are inspected and certified, and all required handover documents are provided.
- remaining 50% is released at the end of the defect period once final completion is certified.
Contractors must submit an application or invoice at each stage, and these are then processed through our standard approval protocols.
All retention payments are processed in line with our standard payment procedures and agreed contractual timelines.
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
0%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
1%
Dispute resolution process
Payment disputes are investigated and resolved through the Central Finance Office following negotiation with the supplier and the relevant department.
Physical queries will include receipt of goods, condition of the goods and inspection for potential damages.
Invoice queries will include price differences and other arithmetical discrepancies. Queries will be raised via phone and by e-mail correspondence
pending agreement and resolution of the query and subsequent settlement or receipt of credit note.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
No
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No