The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 29 August 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The charity's object, as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, is to promote and provide for the advancement of education of children. In pursuance of these objects, the charity runs the undertaking known as Castle House School, Newport, Shropshire.
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Castle House School seeks to benefit the public through the pursuit of its stated aims. Our fees are set at a level to ensure the financial viability of the school, at a level that is consistent with our aim of providing a first class education to boys and girls, and at a level to enable access by as wide a cross-section of the public as possible.
Our bursary policy and social provision for the community contribute to a widening access to the education we offer and the facilities we enjoy.
Our school choir is actively engaged in musical events within the town of Newport, performing in such events as the lights switch on and carol service. The school supported the local 'Field to Fork' festival as well as the Newport Show, at both events running free workshops for children and providing refreshments for the wider community.
The trustees report a challenging year, with a deficit of £33,489 (2021: surplus of £17,876). At the year end the reserves stood at £477,081 (2021: £510,570).
Coming out of the pandemic, Castle House School Trust Limited had the lowest pupil number on record with just 34 children across the school and nursery. As at the time of writing this report, the number of children enrolled in the school stands at 108.
The vast majority of the reserves held at the year-end are represented by the general undesignated fund. The small balance in the restricted fund reserve relates to a grant specifically for the purchase of iPads.
Going concern
Like many concerns, the school has felt the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic during the year. Coming out of the pandemic, the trustees anticipated that this year would trade a loss but with the continued support of parents, income levels were not as adversely affected as expected. The trustees have been able to take the necessary action to ensure that the school can continue with the second half of the year outperforming the first as pupil numbers began to recover.
Reserves policy
The purpose of the school's reserves is to ensure its stability and ongoing operations. The school building itself services the assets of the charity and needs to be preserved to achieve the charity's objective.
As the school building is not available for distribution, it is the policy of the trustees to continue to build up reserves to a level which would allow the school to operate efficiently from its cash balances.
Castle House School Trust Limited was formed in September 1980, a company limited by guarantee, and not having share capital and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The directors are also referred to as trustees and governors, and for the purpose of this report are collectively referred to as the trustees.
Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The method of appointing new trustees consists of initial nominations made by present trustees, who are often people linked to the school. The nominations are then discussed, and a vote is taken.
The trustees undertake an initial induction process into the workings of the charity, including board policy and procedures, organised for them by the headmaster. The trustees are informed of the specific responsibilities of trustees by the use of Charity Commission publications.
The Trustees' report, including the strategic report, was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Castle House School Trust Limited (the charity) for the year ended 29 August 2022 which are set out on pages 4 - 15.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Castle House School Trust Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is , Castle House School, Chetwynd End, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7JE, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
No depreciation is provided on freehold properties as it is the charity's practice to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. Accordingly, the trustees consider that the lives of these assets are so long and residual values are so high that depreciation is insignificant.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Grant for the purchase of iPads
Fees receivable
School trip income
Miscellaneous income
PLA fundraising events
Income from charitable activities
Fees receivable
School trip income
Miscellaneous income
PLA fundraising events
Income from charitable activities
All costs during the year are directly attributable to activities and therefore no allocation has been required.
Charitable Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
Rates and insurance
Light and heat
Telephone
Repairs and maintenance
Bad debt provision
Accountancy
Legal fees
Food and drink
Bank charges
Interest payable
Teaching material costs
Vehicle costs
Advertising
General expenses
Computer running costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
The long-term loans are secured by fixed charges over the school property.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2021 - none).