A West Midlands based education charity is being investigated by the Charity Commission amid “serious and ongoing concerns” around its financial management and level of debt.

This is the third time the regulator has engaged with Walsall based Abu Bakr Trust’s board over concerns, having previously raised fears about its governance and financial management in 2020 and 2022.

This latest investigation will look into its governance, debt levels, financial management and financial reporting.

Also being looked at will be failures by trustees to ensure the charity’s annual returns are filed on time.

According to the charities register the Trust is 242 days late for filing its annual returns. According to its last available returns, for the 12 months to August 2021, it’s income was £2.01m, but its spending was £2.04m.

The Trust runs four independent schools, a mosque and other educational settings.

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