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2022-03-31-accounts

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

WATFORD AND DISTRICT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN WORKER TRUST

(Working name: Watford Schools Trust)

Registered Charity Number 1010876

Trustees Report and Accounts Year ended 31st March 2022

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Contents Page
Reference and administrative details 3
Report of the Trustees 4
Report of the Independent Examiner 10
Statement of Financial Activities 11
Balance Sheet 12
Notes to the Accounts 13

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Reference and administrative details

Registered name Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust
Working name Watford Schools Trust
Charity Number 1010876
The trustees and staff who served during the year ending 31stMarch 2022 and the subsequent
period to the date of this report were:
Trustees Rev. Duncan Campbell (resigned 20thMay 2022)
Mrs Catherine Da Costa (resigned 23rdJune 2022)
Rev. Maureen Hider – Chair
Mrs Angela Steed – Secretary
Ms Joanna Woolcock – Treasurer
Staff Mrs Tricia Bastable
Mrs Alison Harvey
Mrs Johanna Nieuwelink-Jordan
Address 13 Grover Road
Watford
WD19 4HH
Website www.watfordschoolstrust.org
Bankers CAF Bank Limited
25, Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2022

The trustees are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31st March 2022.

Objectives, activities and public benefit

Objectives

The objective of the Trust is to advance the understanding of the Christian faith amongst school children in the Watford area, in conjunction with the local churches. The Trust uses the working name ‘Watford Schools Trust’.

Public benefit

In setting the objectives and planning the activities for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit including the supplementary guidance relating to the advancement of religion. The trustees consider that the activities undertaken by the Trust further the charity’s purposes for the public benefit in particular through contributing to the spiritual and moral education of children, and through raising awareness and understanding of Christian beliefs and practices.

Activities

The principal activities undertaken by the Trust to meet its objectives include:

Structure, governance and management

Formation and constitution

The Trust was formed on 11[th] January 1992 and was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission on 12[th] May 1992 (registered charity number 1010876).

Organisation and management

The Trust is governed by the Board of Trustees who meet approximately six times a year to manage the affairs of the Trust, set the strategic direction for the future, ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to support the operational running of the charity and to pray for its work.

The trustees delegate the day-to-day activities of the charity and the provision of services to the staff team, under the guidance and support of one of the trustees who is designated line manager. However, key decisions relating to the application of resources for unplanned activities or the strategic direction of the charity are approved by the Board directly.

There are currently three trustees serving on the Board. The trustees are not entitled to and did not receive any remuneration during the year. The trustees give their time and expertise freely in support of the charity’s work.

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

New trustees are selected when there is a need for additional expertise and experience. New trustees may be recruited by advertisement amongst supporting churches or be recommended by an existing trustee or supporter. New trustees are appointed by a majority vote at the trustees’ meeting. It is recommended that new trustees attend the Scripture Union Induction that is held regularly throughout the year. Other trustees will also attend Scripture Union trustee events throughout the year when appropriate. Trustees work with Scripture Union as appropriate and benefit from the excellent resources and support that Scripture Union are able to provide.

Policies and principles

The Trust is a Local Mission Partner of Scripture Union. Through its association with Scripture Union, the Trust has committed itself to their statement of objectives, principles and practice recommended for schools work. This includes the following:

  1. to recognise schools to be places of education and to seek to work with them in appropriate ways;

  2. to make a positive contribution to the whole school community;

  3. to assist pupils to evaluate Christianity as a way of life;

  4. to recognise the importance of a strategic, long term approach;

  5. to work in conjunction with, and mindful of, the school staff;

  6. to show respect for school administration, staff and parents and never knowingly undermine them; and

  7. to teach Christian principles while not promoting denominations.

In addition, the trustees have adopted the following additional policies:

  1. to ensure that staff are recognised by Scripture Union under its Mature Scheme and to take advantage of the resources and training of this inter-denominational body which has considerable expertise in working in schools and churches;

  2. to ensure that the trustees represent a broad range of expertise relevant to the objectives of the Trust;

  3. to work in co-operation with churches in the Watford area; and

  4. to focus mainly on establishing work in primary schools.

  5. 5 -

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.

The law applicable to charities in England, Wales and Scotland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Achievements and performance

God has continued to bless the work of the Trust throughout the last two years in the face of significant challenges arising from the pandemic and the restrictions imposed. Our talented schools’ workers have continued to innovate, and respond to the circumstances, developing new ways of working, and continuing to produce high quality online lessons and assemblies, enabling the Trust to continue to tell thousands of primary children what it means to be a Christian and to help them develop a clear understanding of the Christian faith.

Lessons and assemblies

The delivery of lessons and assemblies about different aspects of the Christian faith, in-line with the Hertfordshire syllabus of Religious Education, is the core way in which we meet our charitable objectives.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic we have had to adopt new ways of working in order to continue to deliver our charitable objectives. This continued into 2021/22 during which we continued to be extremely restricted as to which schools we were able to visit in person and certainly in the first half of the year the vast majority of our work continued to be delivered through online lessons and assemblies.

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

We developed our suite of online lessons and assemblies even further and we are delighted that the Trust now has a suite of brilliant online resources that can be used not only by schools we work with regularly but also by a much wider group of people than we could normally reach through our work.

During the year new Video lessons were created on The Lost Sheep and Psalm 23 and new Video assemblies were created on the Bible and what Christians believe about it and Pentecost; so we now have a full suite of video lessons (c. 30 topics) and assemblies (c.10 topics) covering all of our regular teaching topics. These have now been viewed over 4,000 times.

From September 2021 we started to be invited back into schools to offer in-person lessons and assemblies again, though our work continued to be constrained through various lockdowns and restrictions. In the Spring term 2022, in addition to delivering our usual schedule of lessons, we responded to some specific suggestions from schools as to which topics they would like covered, and delivered new lessons focused around ‘Pancake day’ (for Reception), ‘What do Christians do?’ (Year 2), ‘Who is God?’ (Year 6), ‘Christian belief about care of the environment’ (Reception and Year 3), ‘Free will’ (Year 5) and ‘Was Jesus’ death part of God’s plan?’ (Year 5).

As the war in Ukraine broke out in early 2022, we provided ‘dove’ templates to schools to provide them with a simple reflective activity inviting the children to write or draw their thoughts or prayers about the situation. We were also pleased to share this template with our supporters through our regular newsletter.

It’s Your Move

It’s Your Move is a workshop we deliver to year 6 pupils to support them as they move up to secondary school, and help them to understand the difference God makes in their lives – this is based on a book produced by Scripture Union. As with previous years we were delighted that churches across Watford generously contributed to the purchase of books for the children at their local schools, meaning that over 2,000 children received a book.

In 2021, we were once again not able to attend schools in person due to Covid-19 restrictions and so we produced a video and worksheet to support teachers to run the workshop themselves in the classroom. The video included information, quizzes, challenges and top tips to help the children explore the Its Your Move books. We interviewed local secondary school students who shared their experiences in the move to secondary school and asked family members and friends to contribute to the video in different ways. We delivered the books to 52 schools along with a little treat bag for each of the teachers recognising the extremely challenging time they’ve had in the last two years.

In 2021/22 we were able to facilitate the It’s Your Move programme in 46 schools , reaching around 2,037 year 6 pupils (2020/21 around 2,119 year 6 pupils in 45 schools).

Resources

All our lesson and assembly resources are available to teachers and parents online, as well as giving schools and supporters an easy way to keep up-to-date with our work.

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

The objective of the Trust is to give every schoolchild a clear understanding of the Christian faith and the trustees believe that the activities outlined have contributed towards that objective. Large numbers of schoolchildren have heard assemblies and taken part in lessons and workshops, albeit these have been delivered in an online mode in most cases. The schools’ workers have answered questions put to them by the teaching staff in the schools and so have enabled them to gain in confidence in teaching the Christian content of Religious Education.

The trustees confirm that they have identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and have reviewed the systems and procedures to manage those risks .

The trustees are also responsible for ensuring that all employees, trustees and volunteers have the appropriate DBS checks. New employees are taken on subject to these checks being made.

We are grateful to our supporters – both churches and individuals – for their continued generosity during this unprecedented time.

In March 2020 we were in the process of trying to recruit a third schools worker to expand our work. Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and the restrictions imposed, we put this on hold but we have now started to advertise for that post with the hope that we will have another worker in place in late 2022 / early 2023. This has been made possible through a very generous donation of £30,000 received from Leavesden Road Baptist Church in May 2022 as a legacy of their work and to whom we are extremely grateful

Financial review

Total income for the year was £27,458 (2020/21 29,611), comprising £23,386 (2020/21 22,356) voluntary donations towards the day-to-day running of the Trust (received from both individuals and churches), £3,176 (2020/21 £2,358) comprising restricted voluntary donations of £2,756 towards the provision of ‘It’s Your Move’ and a £420 gift for work with children in the Carpenders Park area, and £896 (2020/21 £30) raised through other fundraising activities.

Income is £2,152 below the previous year reflecting the fact that the 2020/21 included £4,867 grant from the government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (‘furlough’), offset by an increase in voluntary income of £1,848 of which £818 was in relation to It’s Your Move, and fundraised income of £866 reflecting a Zoom fundraising evening with a Christian magician, and funds raised by Alison Harvey who continues to faithfully sell hanging baskets in aid of the Trust and to whom we are extremely grateful.

Total expenditure in the year was £28,390 (2020/21 £27,107), reflecting an increase in staff expenses and resources as were able to return to in-person schools work to some degree, offset by higher IT costs in previous year due to the purchase of a new laptop.

The employment costs covered three employees working part-time for a whole year. There were no employees with emoluments greater than £60,000.

We generated a small deficit of £932 (2020/21 surplus of £2,504) which has reduced total reserves as at 31[st] March 2022 to £18,129 (20202/21 £19,061). The total reserves figure was made up of general funds of £17,769 (2020/21 £19,061), with restricted funds of £360 at the end of the year (2020/21 £nil).

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

At 31[st] March 2022, unrestricted general funds were approximately equal to 7 months’ forward expenditure. General reserves are held to ensure that our work in schools may be continued and contractual commitments to staff, premises and other partners can be met in the case of a decline in income.

Our target level of reserves is 6 months’ forward expenditure, however, in light of the COVID19 pandemic and the uncertainty resulting, the Trustees are comfortable that the level of reserves remains appropriate. In view of these reserves, and the continuing generosity of donors throughout recent months (in particular a large donation from Leavesden Road Baptist Church) the Trustees consider the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future and as such have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis.

Volunteer involvement

The Trust continues to benefit from a number of volunteers from local churches across Watford who assist the team with providing lessons, assemblies and other special activities including ‘Prayer Space’ and ‘It’s Your Move’. The contribution of volunteers is essential and we are hugely grateful to all those who support the work of the Trust with such energy and enthusiasm.

Appreciation

We give thanks for the support of Garston Community Church who have generously shared their office space with us for a number of years. Unfortunately this arrangement is not able to continue beyond the summer of 2022 and we are currently seeking new accommodation for the Trust. We are very grateful to North Bushey Baptist Church who have offered us space to store our resources in the meantime.

We would like to express our thanks to our independent examiner, Elizabeth Vis.

We record our appreciation for current and former members of staff. Thank you for all you have done for the Trust and for the way you give of yourselves in support of the cause.

We are sorry to see two of our trustees stepping down in 2022, Duncan Campbell who is moving away from the area due to retirement, and Catherine Da Costa who is moving to commence her curacy having been ordained in the Church of England. We congratulate them both as they each move into a new season of life, and thank them for the gift of their time and expertise as trustees.

Finally we would like to thank our supporting churches and individuals. Your faithful support, both in giving and in praying is the foundation on which our whole work is built. Without you there would be no Trust.

On behalf of the Trustees

M.Hider

M.Hider (Nov 17, 2022 08:00 GMT)

Rev. Maureen Hider Chair

Nov 17, 2022

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of the Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

I report on the accounts of the Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust (Charity no. 1010876) for the year ended 31[st] March 2021, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes set out on pages 11 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

  1. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;

  2. follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and

  3. state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records

  4. have not been met; or

  5. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Elizabeth Vis

Elizabeth Vis (Nov 20, 2022 19:53 GMT)

Elizabeth Vis FCA 2 Lower Paddock Road Oxhey Village Watford Hertfordshire WD19 4DS

Nov 20, 2022

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2022

2021/22
2021/22
2021/22
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Notes
£
£
£
Income from
Donations and legacies
23,386
3,176
26,562
Grants
-
-
-
Other trading activities
896
-
896
Total income
24,282
3,176
27,458

Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
25,424
2,816
28,240
Raising funds
150
-
150
Total expenditure
2
25,574
2,816
28,390

Net income/(expenditure)
(1,292)
360
(932)
Net movement in funds
(1,292)
360
(932)
Reconciliation of funds:
7
Funds brought forward at 1 April 2021
19,061
-
19,061
Funds carried forward at 31 March 2022
17,769
360
18,129
2020/21
2020/21
2020/21
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
22,356
2,358
24,714
4,867
-
4767
30
-
30
27,253
2,358
29,611
24,749
2,358
27,107
-
-
-
24,749
2,358
27,107
2,504
-
2,504
2,504
-
2,504
16,557
-
16,557
19,061
-
19,061

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Balance Sheet as at 31st March

Balance Sheet as at 31st March
Notes

Current assets
Debtors
3
Cash at bank and in hand


Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
4

Total net assets

The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
7
Restricted funds
7
Total charity funds
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf:
Joanna Woolcock (Treasurer)
Cash Flow Statement as at 31st March
Notes

Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
a
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period

a. Net income / (expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Decrease/(Increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
17th November 2022
2022
£
1,468
17,225
18,693
(564)
18,129
17,769
360
18,129
2022
£
(321)
(321)
17,456
17,225
(932)
90
521
(321)
2021
£
1,558
17,546
19,101
(43)
19,061
19,061
-
19,061
2021
£
3,236
3,236
14,310
17,546
2,504
1,067
(335)
3,236

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Notes to the accounts for the year to 31st March 2022

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements is as follows:

Basis of accounting

The Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust is a public benefit entity; these accounts 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 (effective 1 January 2015) (the SORP), Financial Reporting Standard 102 and the Charities Act 2011. The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified for the revaluation of investments.

The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Financial instruments and financial liabilities

The charity only has financial instruments 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.

Income

All income is accounted for in the Statement Of Financial Activity when the Charity is legally entitled to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Donations and gifts are accounted for when received. Tax recoverable on donations to which gift aid has been applied is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Advantage has been taken of exemptions available under paragraph 4.22 of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) not to report expenditure on an activity basis. Expenditure has therefore been reported based on the nature and type of the costs incurred.

Fund Accounting

General funds – these are funds given freely to the charity that can be applied at the discretion of the trustees in accordance with the charitable objectives of the Trust.

Restricted funds – these are funds received for undertaking an activity specified by the donor when making the gift, or may result from the terms of an appeal for funds.

Operating leases

Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term, even if the payments are not made on such a basis.

Tax

The Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust as a registered charity is exempt from tax under Chapter 3 of Part 11 to the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation for Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent surpluses are applied to its charitable purposes.

Fixed Assets

Capital expenditure in excess of £1,000 is recognised as a fixed asset and depreciated over the useful economic life of the asset. Amounts less than £1,000 are expensed in the year of acquisition through the Statement of Financial Activity.

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Notes to the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2022 (continued)

2. Total Expenditure

2021/22 2021/22 2021/22 2020/21 2020/21 2020/21 2020/21
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Staff costs 23,326 228 23,554 22,902 191 23,093
Resource materials 653 2,588 3,241 161 2,167 2,328
Travel expenses 169 169 27 27
Communications 443 443 243 243
Insurance 312 312 286 286
Printing, stationery and postage 6 6
IT & Tech Support 268 268 905 905
Other expenditure 247 247 225 225
Expenditure on charitable activities 25,424 2,816 28,240 24,749 2,358 27,107
Fundraising expenditure 150 150 - - -
Total Expenditure 25,574 2,816 28,390 24,749 2,358 27,107
3. Debtors 31 March 31 March
2022 2021
£ £
Accrued income 1,340 1,384
Prepayments 128 174
1,468 1,558
4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 31 March 31 March
2022 2021
£ £
Accruals 43 43
43 43
5. Staff costs 2022/21 2020/21
£ £
Wages and salaries 22,868 22,420
Employers’ Pension Contributions 686 673
23,554 23,093
During the year 3 employees (2020: 3 employees) were members of a defined contribution pension scheme provided by NEST.
Average head count (number of staff employed) during the reporting period: No. No.
Schools workers 2 2
Administrators 1 1
3 3

No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 during the year (2021: £nil)

The trustees, who are also the only key management personnel, are not entitled to and did not receive any remuneration or other benefits during the year (2021: £nil). The trustees did not claim any expenses during the year (2021: £nil).

Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust

Notes to the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2022 (continued)

6. Related Party Transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2021: £nil).

7. Reconciliation of Funds

Restricted Funds
It’s Your Move
Prayer Space
Carpenders Park Fund
Total Restricted Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds
1 April 2021
Income
Expenditure
31 March 2022
£
£
£
£
-
2,756
(2,756)
-
-
-
-
-
-
420
(60)
360
-
3,176
(2,816)
360
19,061
24,282
(25,574)
17,769
19,061
27,458
(28,390)
18,129

2022-11-20

WST 2021-22 Draft

Final Audit Report

Created: 2022-11-17 By: Joanna Woolcock (joanna.woolcock@churchofengland.org) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAU0SOIChmw6825VnwlkEXJ4z3bfXb3S1b

"WST 2021-22 Draft" History

Document created by Joanna Woolcock (joanna.woolcock@churchofengland.org)

2022-11-17 - 7:27:18 AM GMT- IP address: 165.225.17.163

Document emailed to chair@watfordschoolstrust.org for signature

2022-11-17 - 7:28:48 AM GMT

Email viewed by chair@watfordschoolstrust.org

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Signature Date: 2022-11-17 - 8:00:15 AM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 90.207.93.8

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Agreement completed.

2022-11-20 - 7:53:40 PM GMT