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THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND (a Company limited by guarantee)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 July 2025
Charity Registered Number 1000388 Company Registered Number 02367626
The Royal National College for the Blind ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 July 2025
| CONTENTS | Pages |
|---|---|
| Chair's Statement | 1-2 |
| Governors' Report (including Strategic Report) | 3-11 |
| Independent Auditor's Report | 12-15 |
| Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
| Consolidated and College Balance Sheets | 17 |
| Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | 18 |
| NotestotheConsolidatedFinancialStatements | 19-40 |
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The Royal National College for the Blind CHAIR'S STATEMENT for the year ended 31 July 2025
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| am pleased to deliver my second statement as Chair of the Royal National College for the Blind, as there
is much to be positive about . Our accounts show that the College continues to move from strength to
strength in terms of financial stability. In the current climate, it is never appropriate to be complacent, and
the Board is deeply conscious of the ongoing debate around the costs of the Special Educational Needs
system in England. = my ae aye
RNC is a national provider for students with a low incidence, tit = a ss
high-need condition. Our approach is in line with the f Can OR) BEE sigs = Nh
Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with a Sa g¢ Pe SS Pay
Vision Impairment (CFVI). We take a holistic approach where r = . a
students learn essential skills for lifelong independence i < i
alongside their vocational and academic studies. It is not | | |
economically viable for local authorities to replicate the a a . ad
provisionbasis. required by our students ona local or even regional 7 ° : Gv,&
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We have long urged the Government to recognise that national provision should be funded on a national basis and continue to do so. This would make the system less adversarial, enable local authorities to focus their own limited budgets on provision within their local area, and reduce the uncertainty around commissioning of places for both students and RNC. With another Education Select Committee review of the system underway, we hope to see this amongst the recommendations.
We received our Ofsted residential care inspection under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework in March 2025 and were delighted to be recognised as Good in all areas. Inspectors recognised the effectiveness of leaders and managers, saying ‘Leaders have a clear vision for the residential provision. They maintain high expectations about student achievements, with a focus on independence and life skills to build resilience and confidence. They acknowledge that students’ actions will have a lifelong influence on what is achievable and possible.’ The residential element of our provision adds enormous value to the student experience and their preparation for adulthood, and will continue to form a key part of our strategy going forward.
2025 marks the final year of our current five-year strategic plan. Significant progress has been made in all areas identified as priorities. | am particularly proud that both the Ofsted report and the various monitoring visits undertaken by local authorities reinforce a key aim that students feel ‘safe, highly valued, respected and empowered.’ The entire RNC team works hard to ensure that our values, including inclusion and accessibility for all, are embedded in all areas of the College. Our values will continue to define our priorities as we develop our strategy for the years ahead, including ensuring that RNC remains the College of choice for visually impaired students. The College’s financial position remains robust, thanks to prudent decision-making and effective management. Despite ongoing challenges in securing placements and funding from local authorities, student numbers were once again above target, resulting in a 16.7% increase in income from student services. The College ended the year with total group funds of £11.03 million, including unrestricted funds ——— « a of £10.07 million. While free reserves remain below the desired . i”? ie level, the College maintains sufficient working capital and = y bia ee continues to focus on maintaining student numbers, closely ZZ P i wad monitoring and controlling costs, and improving reserves over - we 1= * aIf . thestill longerneed to term.growWhilstour availableour financialcash positionto enableappearsus to investhealthy,in ourwe =e m4 : campusan outstanding and ourprovision staff to ensurefor current the College continuesand future students.to deliver 0000p»,———p—~—p—~——_ooo
The Royal National College for the Blind CHAIR'S STATEMENT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
In the year under review, RNC welcomed 101 students aged 16 to 25, maintaining healthy enrolment figures that maximise our impact and the opportunities we provide to young people with a vision impairment. High student numbers, while placing demands on staff and infrastructure, are a testament to the College’s reputation and the value placed on our provision.
Academic achievement has been maintained at a high level, with much to celebrate. RNC is particularly thrilled to announce exceptional 2025 Level 2 results, including a 100% pass rate in key vocational subjects such as Braille, Business, Creative Music Industries and Support Work in Schools. These vocationalemployment.qualifications The overall passare particularly rate acrossimportantall subjects as they andlead at alldirectly levels into »yee. _ - Fd“a Z|x evidenced the dedication of both students and staff. ot Beyond academic success, the College enables young people to get SY tay ss ar involved in a wide range of activities. This year, a number of RNC staff, aad =Aaa students, and alumni have been called up to represent their country in a | range of sports and we have been proud to cheer them on. Opportunities es , for students have included visits to Madrid, the Hay Literary festival, and = Monmouth Carnival. Biology students had a behind-the-scenes visit to West Midlands Safari Park, Sports Academy students visited the state of the art RESET Contrast Therapy Centre and Massage students had visits from Rocktape and a professional facial massage therapist. The RNC Choir performed at the Sing the Celebration concert at Hereford Cathedral, and Duke of Edinburgh students undertook a range of activities, climaxing in a three day expedition which included a lengthy walk along a section of Offa’s Dyke.
As we look to the future, RNC remains committed to providing a holistic experience that embeds essential skills for life alongside academic and vocational qualifications. We will continue to invest in our estate, curriculum, and staff development to ensure that our facilities and teaching meet the needs of our students and their future employers. Our advocacy for visually impaired learners will continue, keeping the interests and voices of young people at the centre of all that we do.
| would like to thank all staff, students, Governors, and supporters for their dedication and commitment to RNC’s mission. Together, we will continue to build on our achievements and ensure that RNC remains a beacon of excellence and opportunity for young people with vision impairment.
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:
Peter Flynn
Chair
Date: 13th March 2026
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2
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT for the year ended 31 July 2025
The Governors (who are also the Company directors and charity trustees as listed on page 9) present their annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025, which comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, RNC's Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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).
Aims, objectives and activities
Aims
The aim of The Royal National College for the Blind ("RNC") is to provide and promote education and training for people who are blind or visually impaired and for such other people as the Governors may determine from time to time.
Charitable objectives
The objectives of RNC are covered by its Vision and Mission statement.
Vision: A world where every person with a visual impairment has true equality.
Mission statement: Education, employment and empowerment for all people with a visual impairment.
Activities
The principal activity of RNC is that of a residential specialist college of Further Education, promoting the independence and potential of people who are blind or partially sighted aged 16 and over.
RNC's major funders are the Department for Education, the Welsh Government and Local Authorities In addition, some students are also funded through private funding.
Other areas of activity include the operation of a Sports and Complementary Therapy Centre (thePoint4). These facilities are widely used by our students and the general public. RNC also has a range of support services to offer to organisations which require assistance in addressing the needs of the visually impaired.
Public benefit
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Governors have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education and relief of those in need by reason of disability. The activities described above enable us to meet the definition of public benefit.
During the academic year 2024/25, there were 101 students aged 16 to 25 enrolled at RNC (2023/24: 95 students).
3
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
Strategic report
Achievements and performance
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In 2024/25 RNC continued to build on its work as the Uk’s leading specialist provider for young adults with
vision impairments. The College approach embodies the Curriculum Framework for Vision Impairment
(CFVI), a framework for provision developed by RNIB, VIEW and the University of Birmingham following
extensive research and consultation. ee eae ae ae Be YAY aeA
RNC delivers a fully inclusive curriculum, supporting students RS i
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to develop the skills to become independent adults in a sighted ay cs 2k 2-2 — iA
world, while gaining the qualifications and experience they ee iy Ne ey
need to achieve their full potential, including future employment. V8 9 BW Ee oe
Students develop their skills not only in the classroom, but also ¥ ie
through the immersive residential experience. Here they
embed their mobility and independent living skills while also
learning how to be good citizens and good friends. To a a
We were delighted with the outcome of our residential Ofsted inspection in March 2025, where Inspectors
found that ‘Students flourish and thrive in the residential accommodation. They value their growing
independence and the opportunities it gives them. The college provides a community for students who
have previously been more likely to experience isolation... Students make progress in multiple areas of
their lives. Most notably, this progress is associated with their independence... Students leave the college
with various new skills and with increased independence and confidence. Academically, they are
prepared for further education, apprenticeships, employment or work in the voluntary sector. Leaders
understand the challenges faced by students with visual impairments and help prepare them for
employability. ’
» - Our strive for continual improvement was reflected in investment
a 4 ‘ in the staff structure, including the creation of new ‘Lead’ roles
F % } = within the teaching team, providing alternative pathways for
: fj MY os Pa personal development and leadership beyond traditional
ieee sag ~P Zi i — management roles. The College also invested in a new
nade“Ee~ othe3 _?oeaVee= ad =LySt=) © g accessibility|| availableManagement to GovernorsandInformationusability andforSystem Seniorstaff.to Managersfurther improve and improve the data the
a : ws py) oN 4 SOWe once again celebrated strong exam results, with a 94% pass
.
. — rate in A Levels and a 97% pass rate for Level 3 equivalent
qualifications, with all students progressing to higher education securing a place at their first-choice
university. We were particularly proud to see a 100% pass rate in Braille during its 200th anniversary year.
It is appropriate that the final words should go to an RNC student who wrote a heartfelt message to
students and staff on completing his placement, saying: ees ae
‘My three years at the Royal National College for the Blind ; py
(RNC) has changed me so completely and utterly, and words :
will never do justice to the level of gratitude, appreciation, and La a 7 .
love that | feel and experienced whilst there... | would like to 4 | b —ae {8
thank RNC itself, for providing me with so many opportunities gam yo , < Ai
to not only pursue my passions in sport, but also to make a i . ib =
lifelong memories.’ Rat
Sn atiaaineeEmemaanEemaEEemnemaEE
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The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued)
for the year ended 31 July 2025
Risk management
The major risks and uncertainties facing RNC, and the mitigation measures in place are:
| Failure offundraising activities to | Detailed work being undertaken on the overall strategy for |
|---|---|
| achieve financial target. | fundraising in the current climate. Overall the impact of a failure |
| to achieve target is considered to be comparatively low but it | |
| is recognised that this in turn limits the projects that can be | |
| completed and the opportunities for investment in the campus | |
| and the student experience. | |
| Significant safeguarding issue which | Robust safeguarding systems and mandatory training in place |
| draws public/Ofsted/charity | throughout the organisation. High levels of support available to |
| commission attention. | students. All serious cases are subject to internal case review |
| and all cases are used for internal CPD within core team. | |
| Impact of Court finding against The | Mitigation is through expertise on the Governing Board and use |
| Pensions Trust on key issues. | of external experts, but there is no ability to influence the court |
| ruling, only to reactwhen the judgement is known. | |
| Major IT phishing attack | Tech team well versed in the risks and run regular exercises |
| to check understanding across staff and students. Email filtering | |
| and multi-factor authentification in place. Strong firewall in place, | |
| allsystemsbackedupregularly,CyberEssentialsstatus. |
The Board has examined the principal areas of RNC's operations and considered what major risks may arise in each of these areas. RNC keeps a detailed risk register which is reviewed and updated by Governors and the Senior Management Team every three months. In the opinion of the Governors, RNC has therefore established policies, resources and review systems, which under normal conditions should allow the risks identified by them to be mitigated to an acceptable level in its day to day operations.
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5
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS' REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
Financial review
One of the principal risks of RNC is maintaining financial viability in light of continual changes to funding arrangements for high needs students. Monthly accounts and cash flows are monitored by the Senior Management Team and Governors to identify potential issues at the earliest opportunity.
A summary of key figures over the last three year have been:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £000 | £000 | £000 | |
| Total income ofthe Charitable Group | 8,892 | 7,588 | 7,578 |
| Income from donations and legacies | 269 | 256 | 474 |
| Net income before pension scheme | 779 | 326 | 613 |
| Net movement in funds after pension scheme | 749 | (491) | (692) |
| Net assets at year end | 11,029 | 10,280 | 10,771 |
| Unrestrictedfundsatyearend | 10,070 | 9,235 | 9,608 |
Despite the continual challenges of obtaining placements and funding from Local Authorities, student numbers were once again above the target of 90 during the year resulting in income from student services showing a 16.7% increase in 2025 (1.0% increase in 2024).
Included within the above figures are those of the trading subsidiary, R N C Enterprises Limited, and the controlled charity, Blindcare. Detailed results of these entities are shown in note 5 to these financial statements.
Turnover of R N C Enterprises Limited for the year was £615,146 (2024: £513,295), and the operating profit was £89,926 (2024: £72,494). The amount gift-aided to RNC during the year was Enil (2024: Enil) due to losses brought forward within R N C Enterprises Limited.
Turnover of Blindcare for the year was £63,106 (2024: £64,873) and the amount paid to RNC during the year was £51,000, being a donation of £48,000 and an administration fee of £3,000 (2024: £100,000 and £3,000 respectively).
Going concern
RNC has a bank loan facility with a final repayment date of 31st January 2030, and a significant deficit on its defined benefit pension scheme, but has worked through a detailed recovery plan to address this and has the full support of its bankers, pension fund trustees and other funders. RNC has a three year financial forecast and a three year cash flow forecast which show that the Group has sufficient headroom to continue to trade within its current bank loan and overdraft facilities. The Governors therefore believe that it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on the basis that RNC is a going concern.
Pension liability
RNC operates a defined benefit funded pension plan in the UK. The scheme is closed to new entrants and benefits ceased to accrue with effect from 31 March 2012. A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 30 September 2022 and showeda deficit in the scheme of £3,572,000. Following the valuation, the pension trustee and the employer agreed that additional contributions would continue to be paid to the scheme by the employer at the rate of £332,688 per annum over a period of 9 years 8 months as from 1 April 2024.
6
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
Reserves policy
The Governors have examined the requirement for free reserves which are those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, restricted funds or otherwise committed. The Governors consider that, given the nature of RNC's operations, this should be equivalent to two months’ expenditure, approximately £1,200,000, which gives flexibility to cover temporary timing differences for fees and grants, adequate working capital for core costs, and will allow a quick response to emergencies.
The free reserves as at 31 July 2025 consist of unrestricted net current assets/liabilities less long term liabilities (excluding pension reserve), which total £471,000 (2024: £71,000). However, despite having low free reserves, as at 31 July 2025 the group had net current assets of £1,911,000 (2024: £1,400,000) giving it sufficient working capital in the short term.
Governors acknowledge that the level of free reserves is below the desired level, however they continue with the ethos of the recent business recovery plan by aiming to stabilise student numbers and closely monitor and control the cost base of the college thus maintaining working capital and improving the level of free reserves within the longer term.
At year end, the Group had funds of £11,029,000 (2024: £10,280,000) which consisted of £10,070,000 unrestricted funds (2024: £9,235,000) and £959,000 restricted funds (2024: £1,045,000). Included within the unrestricted funds was the pension reserve, which is currently a deficit of £2,865,000 (2024: £2,969,000).
Land and buildings
The freehold land and buildings were bought by the Royal National College and Academy of Music for the Blind Trust in 1978, and transferred to RNC on incorporation in 1989.
Under the transition to FRS 102, the net book value of the freehold land and buildings as at the transition date has been used as the historical cost.
Investment policy
The memorandum of association authorises the Governors to invest in such stocks, shares, investments and property in the UK as they see fit. The Governors’ policy is to adopt a medium risk investment strategy based upon maintaining the real value of investments and achieving a reasonable income. During the year, the property that had previously been treated as an investment asset was used for RNC business and is no longer considered to be surplus to requirements. The property has therefore been transferred from Investment Properties to Fixed Assets (Land and Buildings) at its carrying value as at 31 July 2024.
Structure, Governance and Management Governing document
RNC is a registered charity (No. 1000388) and a Company limited by guarantee (No. 02367626). RNC is governed by memorandum and articles of association adopted by special resolution of the Board of Governors dated 8 December 2009.
Trustee recruitment, induction and training
The Board has a sub-Group, the Nominations and Governance Committee, who manage the recruitment of Governors. They identify skills/ethnicity gaps and target recruitment to fill those gaps. There is an extensive induction process for new Governors and regular training events are organised aligned to priorities identified within the self assessment process.
Organisation
The Governors ratify the general direction and policy of RNC and monitor its performance, whilst the day to day leadership and management of the College and its subsidiaries is delegated to the Executive Principal.
7
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
Pay policy for key management personnel
The pay of key management personnel is set by the Governors having regard for levels of responsibility, corresponding positions in similar organisations and pay scales issued by the Association of Colleges.
Related parties
RNC Enterprises Limited (RNCE) is RNC's wholly-owned trading subsidiary and carries out non-charitable trading activities for RNC. The results of RNCE are consolidated within the overall RNC results. Further details of RNCE's activities are shown above in the Financial Review, and in Note 5 to these financial statements.
RNC is the sole beneficiary of an independent charity, Blindcare (charity registration number 1020073). The results of Blindcare are consolidated within the overall RNC results as RNC controls the Board of Blindcare. Further details of the results of Blindcare are given in Note 5 to these financial statements.
Equal opportunities
It is the policy of RNC to provide equal employment opportunities to ensure that no employee receives less favourable treatment than others on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff development programmes have been run with the aim of promoting equal opportunities amongst staff, Governors and students.
Employees
RNC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and a supportive environment for all members of our community. We are committed to safeguarding and all staff are subject to necessary Disclosure and Barring Service checks, which are reviewed on a three year cycle. RNC has safeguarding and equality and diversity groups with staff representation which meet on a regular basis and ensure that policies and practices are up to date. There is mandatory training on safeguarding, equality and diversity and data protection for all staff. Managers involved in staff recruitment all have to complete a "Safer Recruitment in Education" programme. There is also an extensive programme of other developmental training for staff. RNC hasa staff consultation group made up of representatives from across RNC who meet ona regular basis and there is an open policy in the provision of information to employees.
Fundraising
RNC employs a small fundraising team (1.2 FTE staff) who concentrate mainly on grant applications to Trusts and Foundations. No professional fundraisers or commercial participators are used by RNC, however Blindcare, the controlled independent charity, uses professional fundraising organisations for payroll giving income, with no fundraising direct from the general public. As a result, the fundraising team were not required to implement any policies regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable members of the general public, nor did they receive any complaints during the year. A detailed fundraising report is presented to Governors at all board meetings, which sets out the current strategy, fundraising income received year to date against budget, income pledged but not yet received, and any other issues of which Governors should be aware. RNC therefore has no fundraising activities requiring disclosure under $162A of the Charities Act 2011.
Future development and plans
There is a clear ongoing need for RNC as a national centre of expertise. We are secure in our mission and our specialism, and remain committed to providing our students with a holistic experience which includes the embedding of essential skills for life alongside academic and vocational qualifications. We will continue to review our curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of both our students and their future employers, while recognising the value of study for its own sake. We will deliver our multi-year Estates strategy investing in student accommodation, teaching areas and recreation spaces to ensure
8
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
that our facilities support and enhance the student experience throughout their time at RNC. And we will continue to advocate for all visually impaired learners, wherever they are studying, to ensure they have access to an education that meets their needs, prepares them for adulthood and is in line with the Curriculum Framework for Vision Impairment. We will achieve this by working in genuine partnership with all interested stakeholders, keeping the interests and voices of young people at the centre of all that we do.
Reference and administrative details
Charity name: The Royal National College for the Blind (also known as "RNC") Charity number: 1000388 Company number: 02367626 Principal and registered office: thePoint4, Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT
Our advisers
Independent auditor Crowe U.K. LLP, 4th Floor, St James House, St James Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR Bankers Barclays Bank plc, 1 - 3 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9BH Solicitors Eversheds Sutherland, 115 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AL
Key management personnel
Executive Principal L Proctor (ex-officio trustee) Vice Principal - Learning and Curriculum M Fisher Vice Principal - Business and Enterprise L Lawrence
Governors, Directors and Trustees
The Governors of The Royal National College for the Blind are also the trustees and Company directors. The Governors and elected directors who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Ms J Barnes (resigned 3 July 2025) Mr E Bastable (resigned 13 December 2024) Mr J Brew (resigned 16 May 2025) Also a director of Blindcare and RNC Enterprises Limited Mrs S Bryson Mr J Clarke-Morris Also a director of R N C Enterprises Limited Miss K Diamond Mr C Finch (appointed 16 May 2025) Also a director of R N C Enterprises Limited Mr P Flynn (Chair) Mr P Gebbie Mr S Hairsnape Also a director of Blindcare Miss T Hughes = (appointed 18 June 2025) Ms H Miles Mrs S Penny Mr A Powell Staff governor Mrs L Proctor Also a director of Blindcare Mrs V Pugh (resigned 4 October 2024) Mr J Williams (appointed 11 July 2025)
Governors are elected by the Board for a renewable term of three years by rotation. New Governors are given a full induction to the College and its activities.
9
The Royal National College for the Blind
GOVERNORS’ REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
There are four sub-committees of the Board of Governors that meet at various times during the year; the Audit and Assurance Committee, the Finance, Business and Enterprise Committee, the Education and Training Committee, and the People and Rewards Committee.
Charity Governance Code
As RNC is a not for profit organisation which aims to follow charity sector best practice, the Governors reviewed the Charity Governance Code (the "Code") published in July 2017. Following an in-depth review of the Code carried out at the Governors’ meeting held on 20th December 2018, the Governors agreed to adopt the Code in full at their meeting on 17th May 2019. Governors have reviewed the updated Code issued in December 2020, which is used to measure the Board of Governors’ effectiveness and is built into the annual Governor Self-Assessment Report (SAR).
Statement of Governors’ responsibilities
The Governors (who are also directors of The Royal National College for the Blind for the purposes of Company law) are responsible for preparing the Governors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under Company law the Governors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable Company and the Group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charitable Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Governors are required to:
-
« select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
» make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
« state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charitable Group will continue in business.
The Governors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charitable Company's transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the provisions of the Charitable Company's constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
10
The Royal National College for the Blind GOVERNORS' REPORT (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
Disclosure of Information to Auditor
In so far as each of the directors of RNC at the date of approval of this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by RNC's auditor in connection with preparing the audit report) of which RNC's auditor is unaware. Each director has taken all of the steps that he/she should have taken as a director in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that RNC's auditor is aware of that information.
The Governor's Report, including the Strategic Report, was approved by the Board of Governors of The Royal National College for the Blind on 13th March 2026 and is signed on its behalf by:
Peter Flynn Chair 6 Date: 14k Marck 102
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11
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND for the year ended 31 July 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Royal National College for the Blind (‘the Charitable Company’) and its subsidiaries (‘the Group’) for the year ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the Consolidated statement of financial activities, Consolidated balance sheet, College balance sheet, Consolidated statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
-
In our opinion the financial statements:
-
« give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and the Charitable Company's affairs as at 31 July 2025 and of the Group’s income and expenditure for the year then ended;
-
« have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-
« have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Governors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charitable Company's or the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Governors’ with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The Governors’ are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the
12
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND for the year ended 31 July 2025 (continued)
financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
-
In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
-
» the information given in the Governors’ report, which includes the Directors’ report and the Strategic report prepared for the purposes of Company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
» the Strategic report and the Directors’ report included within the Governors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Charitable Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors’ report included within the Governors’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
= adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept; or
-
« the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
« certain disclosures of Governors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
= we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of Governors
As explained more fully in the Governors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 10, the Governors (who are also the directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of Company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Governors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Governors are responsible for assessing the Charitable Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Governors either intend to liquidate the Charitable Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations are set out below.
13
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND for the year ended 31 July 2025 (continued)
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements from irregularities, whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the Charitable Company and Group operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Companies Act 2006 together with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the Charitable Company’s and the Group’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charitable company and the group for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were Ofsted.
Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Governors’ and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the timing of recognition of grant income, the going concern assessment, and the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management and the Audit and Assurance Committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, designing audit procedures over grant income, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, reviewing management and those charged with governance's assessments relating to the going concern assumption, reviewing regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission and Ofsted and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
14
THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND for the year ended 31 July 2025 (continued)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
Use of this report
This report is made solely to the Charitable Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charitable Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charitable Company and the Charitable Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Tara Westcott
Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of
Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor 4th Floor St James House St James Square Gloucestershire GL50 3PR
Date: 16 March 2026
15
The Royal National College for the Blind
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating an income and expenditure account)
for the year ended 31 July 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | |
| Income from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 91 | 178 | 269 | 256 |
| Charitable activities | 2 | 7,828 | 80 | 7,908 | 6,729 |
| Other trading activities | 3) | 635 | - | 635 | 533 |
| Investments | 2 | 80 | - | 80 | 70 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 8,634 | 258 | 8,892 | 7,588 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | a | 583 | - | 583 | 512 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 7,336 | 194 | 7,530 | 6,750 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 4 | 7,919 | 194 | 8,113 | 7,262 |
| NET INCOME | 715 | 64 | 779 | 326 | |
| Transfers between funds | 16 | 150 | (150) | - | - |
| Other recognised losses | |||||
| Actuarial loss on defined | |||||
| benefit pension scheme | 21 | (30) | - | (30) | (817) |
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | 835 | (86) | 749 | (491) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 15 | 9,235 | 1,045 | 10,280 | 10,771 |
| Totalfundscarriedforward | 15 | 10,070 | 959 | 11,029 | 10,280 |
The notes on pages 19 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
16
The Royal National College for the Blind (a Company limited by guarantee no. 02367626) CONSOLIDATED AND COLLEGE BALANCE SHEETS as at 31 July 2025
| Consolidated | Consolidated | College | College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £°000 | £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 13,227 | 13,001 | 13,227 | 13,000 |
| Investments | 10 | - | 350 | - | 350 |
| Total fixed assets | 13,227 | 13,351 | 13,227 | 13,350 | |
| CURRENTASSETS | |||||
| Stock | 11 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Debtors | 12 | 172 | 177 | 180 | 223 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 2,586 | 2,080 | 2,527 | 2,045 | |
| Total current assets | 2,763 | 2,263 | 2,708 | 2,269 | |
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | 13 | (852) | (863) | (832) | (817) |
| Net current assets | 1,911 | 1,400 | 1,876 | 1,452 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 15,138 | 14,751 | 15,103 | 14,802 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due | |||||
| after more than one year | 14 | (1,244) | (1,502) | (1,244) | (1,502) |
| Net assets excludingpension | |||||
| scheme liability | 13,894 | 13,249 | 13,859 | 13,300 | |
| Defined benefit pension scheme | |||||
| liability | 21 | (2,865) | (2,969) | (2,865) | (2,969) |
| TOTAL NETASSETS | 11,029 | 10,280 | 10,994 | 10,331 | |
| THE FUNDS OF THE GROUP | |||||
| Restricted income funds | 16 | 959 | 1,045 | 959 | 1,045 |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General | 15 | 12,935 | 12,204 | 12,900 | 12;255 |
| Defined benefit pension scheme | |||||
| liability | 21 | (2,865) | (2,969) | (2,865) | (2,969) |
| Total unrestricted funds | 17 | 10,070 | 9,235 | 10,035 | 9,286 |
| TOTALGROUPFUNDS | 15 | 11,029 | 10,280 | 10,994 | 10,331 |
The notes on pages 19 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
The College only net income for the year totalled £693,000 (2024: net income of £308,000).
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Governors on 13th March 2026 and were signed on their behalf by:
----- Start of picture text -----
Peter Flynn
Chair Sg
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Date: 13th March 2026
17
The Royal National College for the Blind CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 July 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | |
| Cash flows from operating | |||||
| activities: | |||||
| Netcash generatedby | |||||
| operating activities | 23(a) | 1,064 | 672 | ||
| Cash flows from investing | |||||
| activities: | |||||
| Bank interest received | 80 | 70 | |||
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (276) | (210) | |||
| Net cash used in investing | |||||
| activities | (196) | (140) | |||
| Cash flows from financing | |||||
| activities | |||||
| Repayment of borrowing | 23(c) | (221) | (156) | ||
| Repayment offinance lease | 23(C) | (26) | (26) | ||
| Interest paid | (115) | (138) | |||
| Net cash used in financing | |||||
| activities | (362) | (320) | |||
| Change in cash and cash | |||||
| equivalents in the year | 506 | 212 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the | |||||
| beginning of the year | 2,080 | 1,868 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents at | |||||
| theendoftheyear | 23(b) | 2,586 | 2,080 |
The notes on pages 19 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
18
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 July 2025
- 1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Royal National College for the Blind ("RNC") is a Charitable Company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 3 April 1989 (Company no: 02367626). The Royal National College for the Blind is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission England and Wales (charity no. 1000388). Its registered and principal office is thePoint4, Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT. This is also the registered office of the 100% wholly-owned subsidiary, R N C Enterprises Limited, and the controlled charity, Blindcare.
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. The Royal National College for the Blind meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
Going concern
RNC has a bank loan facility with a final repayment date of 31st January 2030, and a significant deficit on its defined benefit pension scheme, but has worked through a detailed recovery plan to address this and has the full support of its bankers, pension fund trustees and other funders. RNC has a three year financial forecast and a three year cash flow forecast which show that the Group has sufficient headroom to continue to trade within its current bank loan and overdraft facilities. The Governors therefore believe that it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on the basis that RNC is a going concern.
Income
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Group has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met, it is probable the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Student services and grants
Student services and grants are accounted for in the period in which the service is provided. Student services consist of income from student fees and any sundry receipts.
Government grants
Grants from government bodies and other sources are received for specific projects/costs and are recognised in accordance with their individual terms and conditions. Income is recognised when the Group has entitlement to the funds which is when any performance conditions attached are met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be reliably measured. Grant income will be deferred if received in advance of meeting performance conditions or if the funder specifically states that the income must be spent in a future accounting period.
19
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Donations
Donations received for the general purposes of the Group are credited to unrestricted funds but shown separately from direct Group income. Donations subject to specific wishes of the donors are carried to the relevant restricted fund. Donations are accounted for when received.
Legacies
Legacies received for the general purposes of RNC are credited to unrestricted funds and shown within donations and legacies. Legacies subject to specific wishes of the donor are included within restricted funds. Legacy income is accounted for based upon settlement of the Estate Accounts, or receipt of payment, whichever is earlier.
Income from trading
Income from trading activities is included in the financial statements in the period in which the relevant goods and services have been provided, and is stated net of Value Added Tax.
Investment and similar income
Investment and similar income is accounted for when receivable.
Taxation
As a charity, RNC is generally exempt from corporation tax on income it receives which is properly applied for its Charitable purpose.
Expenditure
Group expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Where expenditure is apportioned across cost categories, it is apportioned at the best estimate of the Governors based on the level of activity during the year. Costs are allocated to the appropriate cost categories in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Support costs are those costs directly incurred in administering and supporting RNC operations as an educational establishment. Governance costs comprise the costs of running the charity, including external audit and all the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements, such as the cost of the Board and Committee meetings and of preparing statutory accounts.
Expenditure of trading and the costs of raising funds are accounted for in the period in which the expenditure is incurred.
Investments
Investment properties are stated in the Balance Sheet at potential freehold market value. A formal professional valuation is carried out at least every five years, and prepared on an informal basis in the intervening period. Gains or losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. No depreciation is provided on investment properties.
20
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
4 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Leased assets and obligations
Where assets are financed by leasing agreements that give rights approximating to ownership ("finance leases"), the assets are treated as if they had been purchased outright. The amount capitalised is the present value of the minimum lease payments payable during the lease term. The corresponding leasing commitments are shown as obligations to the lessor.
Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements, and the interest is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in proportion to the remaining balance outstanding.
All other leases are "operating leases" and the annual rentals are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The Group took advantage of the transition to FRS 102 and all freehold land and buildings are recognised at their deemed cost which was their net book value at the date of transition. The historic cost basis will apply going forward. Other fixed assets are stated at historical cost.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives as follows:
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||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Freehold|land|No|depreciation|
|Freehold|buildings|2%|straight|line|
|Building|improvements|5%|-10%|straight|line|
|Fixtures,|fittings|and|equipment|20%|straight|line|
|Leased|assets|20% _|straight|line|
----- End of picture text -----
Equipment costing more than £1,000 is capitalised and carried in the Balance Sheet at historical cost.
Cash
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions.
Stocks
Stocks comprise goods for resale by the Group. They are included in the financial statements at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Debtors
Short term debtors are initially measured at their settlement amount.
Creditors
Short term creditors are initially measured at their settlement amount.
21
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Financial instruments
The Group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of the bank loan and the finance lease obligations which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds can be used at the discretion of the Governors in accordance with RNC's and the Group's objects.
Restricted funds
Restricted funds are those funds whose income is for a specific purpose as stipulated by the donor, the details of which are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension schemes
The Group contributes to the Teachers' Pension Defined Benefits Scheme at rates based either on instructions from the Department for Education or actuarial advice. The scheme is a multi-employer scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme which are attributable to the Group. The scheme is therefore accounted for as a Defined Contribution scheme. The amount charged to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs and other post retirement benefits is the contributions payable in the year.
The Group also contributed to a Defined Benefit pension scheme for non-teaching staff up until its closure to future accruals on 31st March 2012. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of The Group, and are administered by TPT Retirement Solutions ("TPTRS"). Pension scheme assets are measured at fair value and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the scheme liabilities. The actuarial valuations are obtained every three years and are updated at each Balance Sheet date. The resulting defined asset or liability is presented separately after other net assets on the face of the Balance Sheet.
The amounts charged to expenditure are the notional interest charges and the other costs charged by the trustee for running the scheme. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised within "Other recognised losses".
Since 1st April 2012 the Group has contributed to a Defined Contribution Scheme for non- teaching staff, administered by TPTRS. The amount charged to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities is the contributions payable by the Group in the year.
All pension fund costs are charged against unrestricted funds in line with the associated staff costs.
EEEEEE ED
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Consolidation
RNC has a 100% wholly owned trading subsidiary, R N C Enterprises Limited, a Company registered in England and Wales. The results of the subsidiary are included in the consolidated accounts on a line by line basis, with all intra-Group transactions fully eliminated on consolidation. A summary of the results of R N C Enterprises Limited is shown in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
RNC is also the sole beneficiary of an independent charity, Blindcare (charity registration number 1020073). RNC controls the Board of Blindcare, so its results have been included in the consolidated accounts on a line by line basis, with all intra-Group transactions fully eliminated on consolidation. A summary of the results of Blindcare is shown in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Group has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 by not providing a separate Statement of Financial Activities for the Charity.
The Group has taken advantage of the exemptions in FRS 102 from the requirements to present a charity only Statement of Cash Flows and certain disclosures about the Charity's financial instruments.
Critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to consider making any significant judgements and estimates where necessary. Significant judgements and estimations have been made on the following items:
Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets
The annual depreciation charges for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 9 for the carrying amount of the tangible fixed assets and note 1 for the useful lives for each class of assets.
Defined benefit pension fund
The present value of the TPTRS defined benefit liability depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a variety of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost (income) for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions, which are disclosed in note 21, will impact the carrying amount of the pension liability. Furthermore, a roll forward approach which projects results from the latest full actuarial valuation performed at 30 September 2022 has been used by the actuary in valuing the pensions liability at 31 July 2025. Any difference between the figures derived from the roll forward approach anda full actuarial valuation would impact on the carrying amount of the pension liability.
Impairment of fixed assets
Governors considered there to be no impairment of fixed assets during the year.
23
The Royal National College for the Blind
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
| 2 | INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Donations and | legacies | £°000 | £°000 | |
| Donations | 70 | 78 | ||
| Trusts and Foundations | 197 | 117 | ||
| Legacies | 2 | 61 | ||
| Income from donations and legacies | 269 | 256 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Charitable activities | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Student fees from: |
Department for Education | 1,022 | ||
| Welsh Government | 115 | 218 | ||
| Local Authorities | 6,358 | 5,278 | ||
| Private sources | 136 | 15 | ||
| Other income | 7 | 8 | ||
| Income from student services | 7,638 | 6,546 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Department for | Education | 270 | 183 | |
| Income from charitable activities | 7,908 | 6,729 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Investment and other income | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Bank interest | 80 | 70 | ||
| Income from investments | 80 | 70 | ||
| 3 | NET INCOME | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Net income for the year is stated after charging: | £°000 | £'000 | ||
| Auditor's remuneration - audit fees |
26 | 28 | ||
| - accountancy and tax services | 6 | 3 | ||
| - grant assurance | 1 | 2 | ||
| Operating lease | rentals | 45 | 52 | |
| Depreciation | - owned assets | 374 | 360 | |
| - leased assets | 26 | 26 | ||
| Interest payable | - finance lease interest | 3 | 3 | |
| -loaninterest | 112 | 135 |
24
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
4 ANALYSIS OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE
| Total | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure on Charitable | Staff costs | Expenses | Deprec'n | 2025 | 2024 |
| activities: | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 |
| Education and training | 3,480 | 271 | - | 3,751 | 3,231 |
| Welfare | 190 | 502 | - | 692 | 640 |
| Premises | 267 | 610 | 252 | 1,129 | 1,063 |
| Marketing | 140 | 21 | - | 161 | 170 |
| Support costs | 1,015 | 586 | 147 | 1,748 | 1,597 |
| Governance costs (see below) | 22 | 27 | - | 49 | 49 |
| 5,114 | 2,017 | 399 | 7,530 | 6,750 | |
| Expenditure on raising funds: | |||||
| Fundraising | 40 | 12 | - | 52 | 68 |
| Trading activities | 282 | 236 | - | 518 | 431 |
| Blindcare activities | - | 13 | - | 13 | 13 |
| 322 | 261 | - | 583 | 512 | |
| 5,436 | 2,278 | 399 | 8,113 | 7,262 | |
| Governance costs comprise: | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £'000 | £'000 | ||||
| Staff costs | 22 | 21 | |||
| Audit & accountancy costs | 26 | 28 | |||
| Legal & professional fees | 1 | - | |||
| 49 | 49 |
25
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
5 OTHER GROUP ENTITIES
| OTHER GROUP ENTITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| The wholly owned trading subsidiary, | R N C Enterprises Limited, is incorporated in the United | |
| Kingdom (company number 01747998) and pays available profits to the parent | charity under the gift | |
| aid scheme. R N C Enterprises Limited operates all commercial trading activities of RNC, including | ||
| the sports and conferencing facilities. | The summary financial performance ofthe subsidiary alone is: | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | |
| Turnover | 615 | 513 |
| Cost of sales | (112) | (89) |
| Gross profit | 503 | 424 |
| Administrative expenses | (413) | (352) |
| Operating profit | 90 | 72 |
| Retained deficit at start of period | (59) | (131) |
| Retained deficit at end of period | 31 | (59) |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £'000 | £°000 | |
| Total assets at balance sheet date | 71 | 45 |
| Totalliabilitiesatbalancesheetdate | (40) | (104) |
In addition to income of £615,000 (2024: £513,000) shown above, miscellaneous trading income of £20,000 (2024: £20,000) is included within the results of the College.
RNC is the sole beneficiary and controlling party of an independent charity, Blindcare (charity registration number 1020073, company number 02806606). Blindcare receives donations from various payroll giving schemes and makes donations to the parent charity at the discretion of the Blindcare directors. The summary financial performance of Blindcare alone is:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £°000 | |
| Income | 63 | 65 |
| Costs of raising funds | (13) | (13) |
| Charitable activities | (54) | (106) |
| Net deficit | (4) | (54) |
| Reserves at start of period | 8 | 62 |
| Reserves at end of period | 4 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | |
| Total assets at balance sheet date | 6 | 10 |
| Totalliabilitiesatbalancesheetdate | (2) | (2) |
6 CORPORATION TAXATION
RNC is exempt from corporation tax on its Charitable activities.
26
The Royal National College for the Blind
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
for the year ended 31 July 2025
7 STAFF NUMBERS The average monthly headcount of full time and part time staff was 157 (2024: 153).
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| Education and training | 100 | 99 |
| Student welfare | 9 | 8 |
| Premises | 7 | 6 |
| Support | 24 | 23 |
| Marketing | 5 | 4 |
| Fundraising | 2 | 3 |
| RNC Enterprises Limited |
10 | 10 |
| 157 | 153 |
| 8 | ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS, GOVERNOR REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES, AND THE |
|---|---|
| COSTOFKEYMANAGEMENTPERSONNEL |
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £°000 | £°000 | ||
| Salaries and wages | 4,200 | 3,840 | |
| Social security costs | 410 | 322 | |
| Pension contributions | - teaching | 434 | 356 |
| - non-teaching | 89 | 63 | |
| Defined benefit pension scheme contributions | 303 | 229 | |
| Totalstaffcosts | 5,436 | 4,810 |
Pension contributions were made to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme for teaching staff and to a fund independently administered by TPTRS for non-teaching staff.
The Executive Principal, Mrs Lucy Proctor, is an ex-officio trustee and received emoluments of £82,583 (2024: £80,527) with employer pension contributions of £3,568 (2024: £2,689). Mr Andy Powell served as a Staff Governor during the year and received emoluments of £45,486 (2024: £44,821) whilst serving as a staff governor, with employer pension contributions of £1,944 (2024: £1,448).
No other Governors nor persons connected with them received any remuneration from the College or any connected organisation in either financial year.
During the year, 1 Governor was reimbursed expenses relating to travel for meetings of £232 (2024: 2 Governors total of £446).
The number of higher paid employees whose emoluments exceeded £60,000 were:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |||
| £80,000 | - | £89,999 | 1 | 1 |
Pension contributions for the higher paid employee amounted to £3,568 (2024: £2,689).
The key management personnel of the Group during the year, who were remunerated, comprise the Executive Principal, the Vice Principal Quality and Student Journey and the Vice Principal Business and Enterprise. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel, including pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions, were £219,935 (2024: £209,671).
27
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
9 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold | Fixtures, | |||
| land and | fittings & | Leased | Group | |
| buildings | equipment | assets | Total | |
| Consolidated | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Cost | ||||
| At 1 August 2024 | 14,266 | 1,407 | 131 | 15,804 |
| Additions | 187 | 89 | - | 276 |
| Transfer from Investment Assets | 350 | - | - | 350 |
| Disposals | - | (62) | - | (62) |
| At 31 July 2025 | 14,803 | 1,434 | 131 | 16,368 |
| Depreciation | ||||
| At 1 August 2024 | 1,650 | 1,105 | 48 | 2,803 |
| Charge for the year | 252 | 122 | 26 | 400 |
| Disposals | - | (62) | - | (62) |
| At 31 July 2025 | 1,902 | 1,165 | 74 | 3,141 |
| Net book values | ||||
| At 31 July 2025 | 12,901 | 269 | 57 | 13,227 |
| At31July2024 | 12,616 | 302 | 83 | 13,001 |
The net book value of tangible fixed assets owned by R N C Enterprises Limited is £279
(2024: £502). The net book value of freehold land and buildings includes an amount of £4,173,000 (2024: £4,173,000) in respect of land.
10 INVESTMENT ASSETS
| INVESTMENT ASSETSASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Investment | |
| Properties | |
| Consolidated Fixed Assets | £°000 |
| Balance at 31 July 2024 | 350 |
| Transfer to tangible fixed assets | (350) |
| Balanceat31July2025 | - |
During the year the property was transferred to tangible fixed assets due to being used for charitable purposes as part of the College land and buildings and no longer being held as an investment.
College £'000
Investment in subsidiary Company (see note 5) amounts to £15 -
No investments were held by RN C Enterprises Limited or Blindcare.
28
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
11 STOCKS
| Consolidated | Consolidated | College | College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | ||
| Goods for resale | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 12 | DEBTORS | ||||
| Consolidated | College | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Due within one year: | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Student fees | 59 | 112 | 59 | 112 | |
| Amount due from subsidiary | - | - | 22 | 60 | |
| Prepayments | 41 | 41 | 36 | 35 | |
| Other debtors | 72 | 24 | 63 | 16 | |
| 172 | 177 | 180 | 223 |
13 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
| Consolidated | Consolidated | College | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £'000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | |
| Bank loan | 200 | 189 | 200 | 189 |
| Finance lease payments | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Trade creditors | 145 | 94 | 143 | 92 |
| Taxation and social security | 98 | 76 | 96 | 74 |
| Pension contributions | 68 | 60 | 68 | 60 |
| Other creditors | 117 | 180 | 117 | 180 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 198 | 238 | 182 | 196 |
| 852 | 863 | 832 | 817 |
Barclays Bank have security over all of RNC's properties.
14 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year
| Consolidated | Consolidated | College | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | £°000 | |
| Bank loan | 1,213 | 1,445 | 1,213 | 1,445 |
| Finance lease payments | 31 | 57 | 31 | 57 |
| 1,244 | 1,502 | 1,244 | 1,502 |
The bank loan was renewed on 13th December 2024 with repayments of £50,000 per quarter as from 31st January 2025, and the remaining balance repayable in full on 31st January 2030. Interest continues to be charged at 2.5% over the Bank of England Base Rate.
29
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
15 ALLOCATION OF THE GROUP NET ASSETS
| Tangible | Net current | Long term | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fixed | assets/ | liabilities | 2025 | ||
| The net assets are held for various | assets | Investm'ts | (liabilities) | & prov'ns | Total |
| funds as follows: | £'000 | £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Restricted funds (note 16) | 763 | - | 196 | - | 959 |
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||
| - General (note 17) | 12,464 | - | 1,680 | (1,244) | 12,900 |
| - Pension reserve (note 21) | - | - | - | (2,865) | (2,865) |
| Total RNC | 13,227 | - | 1,876 | (4,109) | 10,994 |
| Total Subsidiary (note 17) | - | - | 31 | - | 31 |
| Total Blindcare (note 17) | : | = | 4 | - | 4 |
| Total Group | 13,227 | - | 1,911 | (4,109) | 11,029 |
| Tangible | Net current | Long term | |||
| fixed | assets/ | liabilities | 2024 | ||
| At 31 July 2024 the net assets were | assets | Investm’ts | (liabilities) | & prov'ns | Total |
| held as follows: | £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 |
| Restricted funds (note 16) | 816 | - | 229 | - | 1,045 |
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||
| - General (note 17) | 12,184 | 350 | 1,223 | (1,502) | 12,255 |
| - Pension reserve (note 21) | - | - | - | (2,969) | (2,969) |
| Total RNC | 13,000 | 350 | 1,452 | (4,471) | 10,331 |
| Total Subsidiary (note 17) | 1 | - | (60) | - | (59) |
| Total Blindcare (note 17) | - | - | 8 | - | 8 |
| TotalGroup | 13,001 | 350 | 1,400 | (4,471) | 10,280 |
30
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
| 16 | RESTRICTED FUNDS | Balance | Balance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.7.24 | Income | Expenditure | ‘Transfers | 31.7.25 | ||
| £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | £°000 | ||
| Football Foundation Grant | 415 | - | (10) | - | 405 | |
| Media Equipment | 197 | - | (10) | (8) | 179 | |
| Sport England Grant | 124 | - | (3) | - | 121 | |
| Overseas Scholarship Fund | 168 | - | - | (61) | 107 | |
| Energy Efficiency | - | 63 | (21) | - | 42 | |
| Sports Academy Minibus | - | 30 | (1) | - | 29 | |
| Complimentary Therapies | 4 | 27 | (10) | 3 | 24 | |
| IT Equipment | 34 | 13 | (1) | (34) | 12 | |
| Empatheyes | 6 | - | (1) | : | 5 | |
| Braille Technology | - | 7 | (2) | - | 5 | |
| Braille Library | - | 5 | - | - | 5 | |
| 3D Printer | 6 | - | - | (2) | 4 | |
| Gym Floor Sweeper | 4 | - | (1) | - | 3 | |
| Spa Refurbishment | 8 | - | (6) | - | 2 | |
| Student Activities | 9 | 2 | (10) | - | 1 | |
| Keyless Swipe System | 28 | - | - | (28) | - | |
| Braille Embosser | 8 | - | - | (8) | - | |
| Students from Malvern area | 6 | - | - | (6) | - | |
| Overseas Trips | 1 | 13 | (14) | - | - | |
| Goalball Tournament | 1 | 8 | (9) | - | - | |
| Teacher Training | - | 16 | (16) | - | - | |
| Building Maintenance | - | 63 | (63) | - | - | |
| Miscellaneous Small funds | 26 | 11 | (16) | (6) | 15 | |
| 1,045 | 258 | (194) | (150) | 959 |
31
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
16 RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
| Balance | Balance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.123 | Income | Expenditure | ‘Transfers | 31.7.24 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | £°000 | £'000 | |
| Football Foundation Grant | 425 | - | (10) | - | 415 |
| Media Equipment | 219 | - | (22) | - | 197 |
| Overseas Scholarship Fund | 171 | - | - | (3) | 168 |
| Sport England Grant | 127 | - | (3) | - | 124 |
| IT Equipment | 34 | 24 | (24) | - | 34 |
| Keyless Swipe System | 54 | - | (6) | (20) | 28 |
| Student Activities | 8 | 6 | (3) | (2) | 9 |
| Spa Refurbishment | 8 | - | - | - | 8 |
| Braille Embosser | - | 14 | (6) | - | 8 |
| Students from Malvern area | 9 | - | - | (3) | 6 |
| 3D Printer | - | 8 | (2) | - | 6 |
| Empatheyes | - | 10 | (4) | - | 6 |
| Gym Floor Sweeper | 5 | - | (1) | - | 4 |
| Sunshades | 2 | - | - | - | 2 |
| Independent Living Skills | 6 | - | (5) | - | 1 |
| Berlin Trip | - | 7 | (8) | 2 | 1 |
| Goalball Tournament | - | 6 | (5) | - | 1 |
| Student Garden | 32 | - | - | (32) | - |
| LED Lighting | 19 | - | - | (19) | - |
| Astro Pitch Scoreboard | 10 | - | - | (10) | - |
| Switchboard | 5 | - | - | (5) | - |
| Building Maintenance | - | 60 | (60) | - | - |
| Miscellaneous Small funds | 29 | 25 | (23) | (4) | 27 |
| 1,163 | 160 | (182) | (96) | 1,045 |
Once the restriction has been fulfilled in line with SORP (FRS 102), restricted assets are transferred to unrestricted funds, as shown above. Where a grant or donation has been given and the asset is required to be held for a number of years the fund has remained restricted and the appropriate depreciation has been charged against the fund.
Football Foundation
The Football Foundation awarded a grant of £1million in 2009 towards a new Sports Centre.
Media Suite
Various grants were received towards the building of a new Media suite and the purchase of media and sound equipment, including £34,306 from the Eveson Trust and £30,000 from the Foyle Foundation.
Sport England
Sport England awarded a grant of £200,000 in total towards a new Sports Centre.
Overseas Scholarship Fund
The Overseas Scholarship Fund is represented by cash at bank, and is only to be used for issuing scholarships to learners and teachers from abroad.
Energy Efficiency
A grant of £63,000 was received during the year from nPower to be spent on energy efficiency measures throughout the campus.
32
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
16 RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
Sports Academy Minibus
Various grants were received during the year to purchase a new minibus for use by the RNC Sports Academy.
Complimentary Therapies
Various grants were received during the year to purchase new equipment for a newly refurbished area of the College dedicated to Complimentary Therapies.
IT Equipment
A number of grants and donations continue to be received for support towards the cost of specialist computer equipment and assistive technology software.
Empatheyes
Two grants were received to enable staff to undergo training on a new system to replicate the effects of a variety of visual impairments.
Braille Technology
An anonymous grant was received during the year to purchase specialist braille equipment.
Braille Library
Two grants were received during the year to set up a Braille library for students.
3D Printer
A grant was received from the G&F Squire Foundation for the purchase of a 3D printer to assist with teaching.
Gym Floor Sweeper
Several grants were received for the purchase of a floor sweeper to use on the main hall floor within the sports centre.
Spa Refurbishment
Sponsorship and donations were received in respect of a 24 hour spinathon event, with 50% of the monies pledged towards replacing the spa area with a dedicated spin room in thePoint4 sports centre. Student Activities
A number of grants were received to enable students to undertake a wider range of extracurricular activities.
Keyless Swipe System
A number of grants were received for the purchase of a keyless swipe system to be installed on all student bedroom doors.
Braille Embosser
A number of grants were received for the purchase of a new Braille embosser for the learning directorate.
Students from Malvern area
A donation was received from the KJ Tandy Will Trust to assist with the education and training of ten students from the Malvern area.
Overseas Trips
A number of grants were received to enable a large group of students to have educational visit to Berlin and Madrid.
Goalball Tournament
A grant was received so that the RNC women's goalball team could attend a tournament in France. Teacher Training
A grant was received from the Department for Education to go towards training for new teachers.
33
The Royal National College for the Blind
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
for the year ended 31 July 2025
16 RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)
Building Maintenance
A grant was received from the Department for Education towards ongoing maintenance and upkeep of RNC buildings.
Miscellaneous Small Funds
Includes a number of separate small restricted funds for a variety of activities, including acoustic shooting equipment, mental health training, alumni events, cricket and office equipment.
17 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Balance | ||||
| GENERAL | 1.8.24 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 31.7.25 |
| £°000 | £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | |
| RNC (excluding pension fund | |||||
| valuation) | 12,255 | 7,956 | (7,327) | 16 | 12,900 |
| Pension fund | (2,969) | - | (30) | 134 | (2,865) |
| Trading Company | (59) | 615 | (525) | - | 31 |
| Blindcare | 8 | 63 | (67) | - | 4 |
| 9,235 | 8,634 | (7,949) | 150 | 10,070 | |
| Balance | Balance | ||||
| Prior year comparative | 1.8.23 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | 31.7.24 |
| £°000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £°000 | |
| RNC (excluding pension fund | |||||
| valuation) | 12,022 | 6,850 | (6,520) | (97) | 12,255 |
| Pension fund | (2,345) | - | (817) | 193 | (2,969) |
| Trading Company | (131) | 513 | (441) | - | (59) |
| Blindcare | 62 | 65 | (119) | - | 8 |
| 9,608 | 7,428 | (7,897) | 96 | 9,235 |
18 OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
Commitments in respect of operating lease rentals are as follows:
| Equipment | Equipment | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Commitment payable: | £°000 | £°000 |
| Within one year | A1 | 46 |
| Within two to five years | 108 | 117 |
| 149 | 163 |
19 CAPITAL COMMITMENT
At the year end, RNC had no capital commitments (2024: £nil)
nC.
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
20 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
During the year RNC recharged expenses of £317,942 (2024: £251,360) to R N C Enterprises
Limited and paid £2,876 (2024: £9,931) for products and services. The amount due from RN C Enterprises Limited at the year end was £22,365 (2024: £59,705) and the amount due to RN C Enterprises Limited at the year end was £nil (2024: Enil).
RNC is the sole beneficiary of an independent charity, Blindcare (charity registration number 1020073). During the year, RNC received income of £51,000 from Blindcare (2024: £103,000). There was no balance due to or from Blindcare (2024: £nil) at the year end.
During the year RNC paid £4,518 (2024: £8,319) in respect of legal services to Harrison Clark Rickerby, a firm of solicitors in which Mr C Finch, a trustee of RNC, is a partner. There was no balance outstanding at the year end.
21 PENSION OBLIGATIONS
a) Defined Benefit Scheme - TPT Retirement Solutions
RNC operates a defined benefit scheme in the UK. This is a separate trustee administered fund holding the pension scheme assets to meet long term pension liabilities. Benefits ceased to accrue within the scheme with effect from 31 March 2012. A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 30 September 2022 and the results of this have been updated to 31 July 2025 by a qualified actuary, independent of the scheme's sponsoring employer.
The most recently completed actuarial valuation, as at 30 September 2022, showeda deficit of £3,572,000. RNC has agreed with the trustee that it will aim to eliminate the deficit by 30 November 2033 by payment of contributions of £332,688 per annum (payable monthly).
In addition, RNC will pay £77,340 per annum (payable monthly) to cover scheme expenses, including the Pension Protection Fund levy. The expenses payments will increase every 1 April by 3% per annum with the first increase on 1 April 2025.
RNC is aware of the Virgin Media v NTL Pension Trustees I] Limited Court of Appeal judgement which may give rise to adjustments to the scheme. At present the legal process is incomplete and therefore we are unable to quantify any potential liabilities.
Present values of defined benefit obligation, fair value of assets and defined benefit liability
| liability | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2025 | 31 July 2024 | |
| Assets | £000 | £000 |
| Equity Type | 175 | 389 |
| Bonds | 3,677 | 1,833 |
| Property | 547 | 700 |
| Other | 2,227 | 2,080 |
| LDI | 2,871 | 5,223 |
| Cash | 167 | 716 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 9,664 | 10,941 |
| Present value of defined benefit obligations | (12,529) | (13,910) |
| Deficit in plan | (2,865) | (2,969) |
| Defined benefit liability to be | ||
| recognisedunderFRS102 | (2,865) | (2,969) |
None of the market values of the assets shown above include any direct investments in RNC's own financial instruments or any property occupied by, or other assets used by, RNC.
35
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
21 PENSION OBLIGATIONS (continued)
Change in assets during the year
| Change in assets during the year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | |
| Assets at the start of the year | 10,941 | 11,061 |
| Interest income on assets | 523 | 567 |
| Expenses | (151) | (102) |
| Experience on plan assets (excluding amounts included | ||
| in interest income) | (1,201) | (248) |
| Employer contributions | 424 | 410 |
| Benefits paid | (872) | (747) |
| Assets at the end of the year | 9,664 | 10,941 |
| Change in liabilities during the year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £'000 | |
| Liabilities at the start of the year | 13,910 | 13,406 |
| Interest expense | 662 | 682 |
| Actuarial (gain) / loss on changes in assumptions | (1,426) | 529 |
| Actuarial loss due to scheme experience | 255 | 40 |
| Benefits paid | (872) | (747) |
| Liabilities at the end of the year | 12,529 | 13,910 |
| Analysis ofamount charged to income statement | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | |
| Expenses | 151 | 102 |
| Interest income on assets | (523) | (567) |
| Interest cost of defined benefit obligation | 662 | 682 |
| Total expense recognised in the statement of | ||
| financial activities | 290 | 217 |
| Actuarial gain recognised in Statement of Financial Activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £°000 | |
| Return on assets excluding interest income | (1,201) | (248) |
| Experience losses on scheme liabilities | (255) | (40) |
| (Loss) / gain due to change in demographic assumptions | (123) | 19 |
| Gain / (loss) due to change in financial assumptions | 1,549 | (548) |
| Actuarial loss recognised in statement of | ||
| financialactivities | (30) | (817) |
36
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
21 PENSION OBLIGATIONS (continued)
Movement in balance sheet liability during the year
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £°000 | £°000 | |||
| Deficit in plan at the start of the year | (2,969) | (2,345) | ||
| Net interest cost | (139) | (115) | ||
| Expenses | (151) | (102) | ||
| Re-measurements included in the statement of | ||||
| financial activities | (30) | (817) | ||
| Employer contributions | 424 | 410 | ||
| Deficit in plan at the end ofthe | year | (2,865) | (2,969) | |
| Assumptions | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| % p.a. | % p.a. | % p.a. | ||
| Discount rate | 5.74 | 4.91 | 5.23 | |
| Inflation (RPI) | 2.93 | 3.11 | 3.14 | |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2.60 | 2.72 | 2.68 | |
| Deferred revaluations | 2.93 | 3.11 | 3.14 | |
| Earnings growth | 3.60 | 3.22 | 3.18 | |
| Pension increases in payment: | ||||
| RPI max 5.5% pa | 2.90 | 3.06 | 3.08 | |
| Pension increases in payment: | ||||
| CPI max 2.5% pa | 1.89 | 1.94 | 1.92 | |
| Allowanceforcommutation | 75%of | maximumallowance | 75%ofmaximumallowance | 75%ofmaximumallowance |
The mortality assumptions adopted at 31 July 2025 imply the following life expectancies:
Life expectancy at age 65 (years) Male retiring in 2025 86.4 Female retiring in 2025 88.6 Male retiring in 2045 88 Female retiring in 2045 90
b) Defined Contribution Scheme - TPT Retirement Solutions (TPTRS)
During the year RNC contributed to a Defined Contribution Scheme for non-teaching staff. It is operated by TPTRS and the assets/(liabilities) in the scheme are held separately from those of RNC. During the year RNC paid contributions of £82,492 (2024: £58,707) to the scheme and at the year end £19,529 (2024 £15,705) was outstanding in respect of contributions to this scheme.
37
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
21 PENSION OBLIGATIONS (continued)
c) Defined Benefit Scheme - Teachers’ Pension Scheme
RNC participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme ("the TPS") for its teaching staff. The pension charge for the year includes contributions payable to the TPS of £434,068 (2024: £355,917) and at the year end £48,415 (2024: £44,429) was accrued in respect of contributions to this scheme.
The TPS is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefits pension scheme governed by The Teachers’ Pensions Regulations 2010 (as amended) and The Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Members contribute on a 'pay as you go’ basis with contributions from members and the employer being credited to the Exchequer. Retirement and other pension benefits are paid by public funds provided by Parliament.
The employer contribution rate is set by the Secretary of State following scheme valuations undertaken by the Government Actuary's Department. The most recent actuarial valuation of the TPS was prepared as at 31 March 2020 and the valuation report was published in October 2023. Following the McCloud judgement, the remedy proposed that when benefits become payable, eligible members can select to receive them from either the reformed or legacy schemes for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. The actuaries have assumed that members are likely to choose the option that provides them with the greater benefits, and in preparing the 2020 valuation have valued the ‘greater value’ benefits for groups of relevant members.
The employer contribution rate for the TPS is 28.6%, and employers are also required to pay a scheme administration levy of 0.08% giving a total employer contribution rate of 28.68%.
22 CONTINGENT LIABILITY
RNC operates a defined benefit pension scheme in the UK, through TPT Retirement Solutions, and have been made aware that some historical changes made to the scheme's benefits may not have been in accordance with the scheme rules. The trustees of the pension scheme are seeking court direction as to whether the changes were made in accordance with the rules and whether they have the power to make changes in respect of benefits built up after the date the changes were made. The court ruling could potentially give rise to an additional liability for RNC. As the pension scheme trustees are currently going through the court process any potential liability has not been recorded in the balance sheet.
38
The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
23 (a) RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Net income for the year as per the Statement | |||
| of Financial Activities | 779 | 326 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Interest paid | 115 | 138 | |
| Depreciation charges | 400 | 386 | |
| Bank interest received | (80) | (70) | |
| Payment into Defined Benefit Pension Scheme | (424) | (410) | |
| Pension FRS102 adjustment | 290 | 217 | |
| Decrease in debtors | 5 | 51 | |
| Decrease in stock | 1 | - | |
| (Decrease) / increase in creditors | (22) | 34 | |
| Net cash generated byoperating activities | 1,064 | 672 | |
| 23 | (b) ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 2,586 | 2,080 | |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 2,586 | 2,080 | |
| 23 | (c) CHANGE IN NET DEBT | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £'000 | £°000 | ||
| Net debt brought forward | 1,717 | 1,899 | |
| Repayment of borrowing | (221) | (156) | |
| Repayment of finance lease | (26) | (26) | |
| Netdebtcarriedforward | 1,470 | 1,717 |
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The Royal National College for the Blind NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) for the year ended 31 July 2025
24 PRIOR YEAR ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £°000 | £'000 | £°000 | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 156 | 100 | 256 |
| Charitable activities | 6,669 | 60 | 6,729 |
| Other trading activities | 533 | - | 533 |
| Investments | 70 | - | 70 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 7,428 | 160 | 7,588 |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Raising funds | 512 | - | 512 |
| Charitable activities | 6,568 | 182 | 6,750 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 7,080 | 182 | 7,262 |
| NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) | 348 | (22) | 326 |
| Transfers between funds | 96 | (96) | - |
| Other recognised losses | |||
| Actuarial loss on defined benefit | |||
| pension scheme | (817) | - | (817) |
| NETMOVEMENT IN FUNDS | (373) | (118) | (491) |
| Total funds brought forward | 9,608 | 1,163 | 10,771 |
| Totalfundscarriedforward | 9,235 | 1,045 | 10,280 |
40