Charlotte Mason College’s true financial state revealed after sudden closure

The financial state of a Moreton Bay college that closed and displaced hundreds of students has been revealed in its latest financial report.

Charlotte Mason College at Kallangur

A Moreton Bay region college that closed and displaced hundreds of students posted an operating loss of more than $740,000 and tax debts of $1.1 million, its latest financial report reveals.

Parents with children at Charlotte Mason College at Kallangur were told on Friday the Christian school would not reopen in 2024 following a series of financial audits.

The college had its registration withdrawn by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board leaving parents a six-week window to find places in new schools.

“Mortified” parents are now panicking over where to send their children next year and have been left with more questions than answers.

Financial records of the Parents’ National Education Union (Australia) Inc, which trades as Charlotte Mason College, showed an operating loss of more than $740,000, revealing insight to its woes.

An independent audit further showed the college was in negotiation with the Australian Taxation Office for a repayment plan of about $1.1 million.

The audit highlighted going concern among the college’s ability to meet its debts and future commitments despite it forecasting profits from increased tuition fees.

Its financial report showed the college’s revenue from tuition, enrolment and application fees increased from $267,479 in 2021 to $439,980 in 2022.

Some parents are understood to have made payments to the college as recently as of Thursday, December 7, just one day before it closed.

Further, it’s understood a group of parents had attempted to raise concerns with the school and its board six months ago, only to be ignored.

The school’s board chair Sarah Biggs did not respond to direct questions when contacted by The Courier-Mail on Wednesday.

Ms Biggs told parents over email that the school had endured a “tumultuous” history and remained in a “tough” financial position.

According to her email, Ms Biggs directed parents with financial-related questions to contact the administrator instead of the college.

The college had a cohort of about 326 students this year, with more than 200 enrolled in its distance education program.

A parent whose daughter attended via distance education said they were at a loss in how to find another school just weeks out from term 1.

“It’s happened at a time of year when we might not be able to do anything,” they said.

“It’s very stressful going into Christmas because we aren’t sure what other schools actually offer.

“Just the fact that we don’t know how the schools will affect our daughter’s learning. We just feel blindsided and left with so many questions.”

The Department of Education said it was aware of the issues regarding the college going into voluntary administration.

A department spokeswoman said it could assist families wishing to enrol in local state schools or public schools offering distance education.