## **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 2025**
- 1 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Reference and administrative details|3|
|Report of the Trustees|4|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|14|
|Statement of Financial Activities|15|
|Balance Sheet|16|
|Cashflow statement|17|
|Notes to the Accounts|18|
- 2 -
## **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 2025 and the subsequent||
|period to the date of this report were:||
|**Trustees**|Rev. Maureen Hider – Chair (Resigned 13 November 2024)|
||Mrs Angela Steed – Secretary|
||Ms Joanna Woolcock – Treasurer|
||Mrs Helen Horton|
||Mr Ben Dear|
||Mrs Helen Walker (Appointed 1 September 2025)|
|**Staff**|Mrs Tricia Bastable|
||Mrs Alison Harvey|
||Rev Fiona Penny|
||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|
- 3 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2025**
The trustees are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31st March 2025.
## **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:
- the provision of lessons and assemblies to primary schools within the Watford area to support and complement the Christian aspects of the Hertfordshire Religious Education syllabus and scheme of work;
- the development of resources and lesson plans to assist teachers in their delivery of Christian education in schools; and
- the delivery of specific programmes or activities for schools which have been developed by other relevant organisations and support the aims of the Trust including ‘It’s Your Move’ and ‘ExploRE’
## **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 five 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.
- 4 -
## **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.
## **Policies and principles**
The Trust has adopted the following statement of objectives, principles and practice for its work in schools:
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;
8. to ensure that the trustees represent a broad range of expertise relevant to the objectives of the Trust;
9. to work in co-operation with churches in the Watford area; and
10. to focus mainly on establishing work in primary schools.
## **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:
- 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 accounting standards have been followed
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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.
- 5 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Achievements and performance**
2024-25 has been another great year for the Trust, but one in which we have seen many highs and lows; answers to prayer but not always in the way we might have expected or in the timing we might have liked. God is faithful and his ways are not our ways. We give thanks for His continuing goodness to us.
## _A new home for the Trust…_
We saw our prayers for a long term home for the Trust answered through the purchase of a portacabin which we were able to install into the garden of North Bushey Baptist Church – and we are so grateful to the Church for their hospitality and support of the Trust in this way. We were blessed by the generosity of many of our supporting churches and individuals who enabled us to purchase, install and fit out the office space for our team, and we enjoyed a wonderful opening ceremony and the opportunity to reflect on and remember God’s faithfulness to the Trust over many years.
_Our team and our work in schools…_
Once again we were able to reach over 20,000 children in more than 50 primary schools in Watford and the surrounding area, through lessons, assemblies, ExploRE, It’s Your Move and other activities, as well as resourcing teachers and others with our online resources which expand our impact even further.
This is only possible through the work and dedication of our staff team. We were blessed with a full team of three schools workers in the summer term of 2024, but by late Autumn 2024 faced with concern about our ongoing finances and the need to act with care and responsibility towards our staff and beneficiaries, we took the very difficult decision to end the two year contract of our third worker – Fiona – who left the team in December 2024. Our November AGM meeting last year was therefore one of sad goodbyes – both to Fiona, and also to Maureen Hider, who decided to step down, having served so brilliantly as our Chair for 5 years.
However, that was not the end of the story. We were able to secure additional funding in the form of grants from charitable organisations, and we also received additional financial support from both churches and individuals across Watford – some one-off, but some in the form of a commitment to ongoing support. This meant that not only were we able to proceed with our existing team and continue our work with confidence, we were also able to invite Fiona to rejoin the team, and in March 2025 she began another two year contract with us, enabling us to expand our capacity again and sustain the scope of our work.
- 6 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
The Trust continues to depend on the faithful generosity of many individuals and churches in Watford and we continue to pray for God’s provision as we look to the future – trusting in his faithfulness and goodness to us.
## **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. In 2024/25 we delivered just over 400 lessons in schools across the Watford area (excluding It’s your move and special events).
As well as our ‘in-person’ work, we continue to publish online versions of our lessons and assemblies, which 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. 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 6,800 times.
We continue to deliver our usual schedule of lessons, as well as to respond to requests from schools when we are able to, covering a huge range of topics.
## _Easter lessons_
The opportunity to deliver Easter lessons is a huge privilege. The curiosity of the children is inspiring, with big questions asked that give the opportunity for deeper reflection. For example, “Why do we call it Good Friday?”, “Was Jesus the only person to die on the cross?” “Why did Judas betray Jesus?” “After the resurrection why did Jesus have scars on his hands and feet when his body was healed?” “If Jesus has forgiven us for all our sins, won’t Christians just keep on sinning thinking it doesn’t matter because it’s been forgiven already?”.
- 7 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
Year 6 pupils designed t-shirts to explain the Christian message – here are some brilliant examples:
## **Easter in a box**
This year we also trialled something new for Easter – ‘Easter in a box’ – a hands on resource to use in schools or churches with small groups of children to explore the Easter story in more depth.
We have 4 boxes: Palm Sunday, The Last Supper, The Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus’s Trial and Crucifixion. The contents of each box are put on display for the children to look at, handle the objects and discuss its relevance in the Easter story.
- 8 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
We then read the script and discuss the emotions of the various characters, followed by discussing some reflective questions to explore what we can learn from the story. To finish each group session, children make a small craft that they can take home as a keepsake to remember the Easter story.
We were able to trial Easter in a box in Year 5 in 3 schools and Year 6 in another. The children and staff loved this new way of teaching, which they said ‘allowed children to get closer to the story through all the resources’. One of the children said, ‘whenever I hear the Easter story, I get the impression that Jesus wanted to die’. This opened more opportunity to discuss the Christian belief that Jesus died for our sins.
In the final plenary session, we discussed Jesus’ resurrection and how forgiveness can make all the difference. Children were then invited to drop a fizzy tablet in a jug of water to think of how they can forgive someone or ‘say sorry’ for something they have done.
We believe that this resource is a great addition to the work of WST, however we would ideally love to see this resource being used by local churches to invite their school or local children in to explore the Easter story. As we look ahead to next year, we will continue to think about how we can expand this opportunity with our partner churches.
## **ExploRE**
ExploRE stands for ‘Exploring Religious Education’ and is an opportunity for children to explore their ideas about God, the world/other people, and themselves. We do this through a series of interactive activities which are creative and encourage personal reflection on issues such as forgiveness, injustice, thankfulness, big questions, identity and stillness. ExploRE is run over a week and reaches not only all the children in the school, but is often a great point of connection with teachers, other staff and parents too.
In Summer 2024 we took our ExploRE event to Highwood School in Bushey – with 16 classes attending in just 4 days – and well over 400 children taking part. We were also able to take ExploRE to Chater Juniors in the Autumn Term, with over 200 children participating.
Building on a successful event at St Luke’s Watford in 2024, in early 2025 we had another opportunity to partner directly with a church to deliver ExploRE in a slightly different way, giving the opportunity for even more children to take part. St Peter’s Church, Bushey Mill Lane hosted our ExploRE event, enabling two primary schools to bring their classes to visit the space, with nearly 500 children visiting from Knutsford and Parkgate Junior, and volunteers from the Church supporting the event.
We continue to receive brilliant feedback about the impact of ExploRE on the school community:
_“Year 6 had a wonderful time exploring with the Watford School Trust. They reflected on themselves, the world and God through a range of activities. Thank you Watford Trust for enabling all of the children to explore life's deeper questions.’ Highwood School, Bushey_
_“The work that was created during this event was truly inspiring. Thank you to the parents/carers who visited the ExploRE room yesterday and I am sure you will agree that it was a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore their own thoughts about God,_
- 9 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
_themselves and their wonderful world/community. Thank you to Watford Schools Trust for providing these unique learning opportunities for our children.” Chater Junior School, Watford_
## **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
- 10 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
churches across Watford generously contributed to the purchase of books for the children at their local schools.
In Summer term 2024 we were able to visit around 1,500 children in 76 schools to help them think about the transition to secondary school and to help them understand that God is within them through the time of change.
## **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.
This year we were also delighted to be able to help resource schools by donating 125 bibles enabled by a gift given to us by Croxley Green Baptist Church.
We received some lovely feedback from the schools:
_“Thank you so much. The Bibles are beautiful and will definitely be a great addition to our resources and artefact drawer.”_
_“Thank you so much for the Bibles. They will definitely be used and enjoyed by the children.”_
_“Thank you! We have been desperate to buy new Bibles but budgets are so tight! We're really grateful!”_
## **Other matters**
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. 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.
- 11 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
We are grateful to our supporters – both churches and individuals – for their continued generosity, and in particular for the way in which they responded to our call for additional support to enable the Trust to continue its work with confidence.
## **Financial review**
Total income for the year was £78,495 (2023/24 £37,303), comprising £45,700 (2034/24 £32,346) unrestricted voluntary donations towards the day-to-day running of the Trust (received from individuals, churches and grant-making charities); £32,230 restricted gifts (2023/24 £4,214) comprising restricted voluntary donations of £1,732 towards the provision of ‘It’s Your Move’, £588 income relating to ExploRE, £5,600 towards the purchase of the new office (portacabin) and £24,310 grants and gifts to meet the cost of staff, including employing a third schools worker; £45 interest income received (2023/24 £60); and £520 (2023/24 £683) raised through other trading (fundraising) activities.
The significant year on year increase in income primarily reflects income received towards the purchase of the new portacabin office; along with grant support from Sisters of the Holy Cross of £10,000 and £3,310 from St Peter’s Trust Bushey towards staff salaries, and a further £11,000 restricted gift specifically in support of employing a third schools worker. In addition, the increase in unrestricted gifts reflects some other grants received and a general increase in support received from churches and individuals – both one-off and ongoing.
Fundraised income reflects funds raised by Alison Harvey who faithfully sells hanging baskets in aid of the Trust and to whom we are extremely grateful.
Total expenditure in the year was £43,545 (2023/24 £44,213), reflecting a slight reduction in staff costs with the third schools worker ending her contract in November 2024, and re-joining the Trust in March 2025. This was partially offset by an increase in other costs including rental paid to North Bushey Baptist Church, and the purchase of bibles for schools using a fund transferred to the Trust by Croxley Green Baptist Church in the prior year.
The employment costs covered three employees working part-time for a whole year, and one employee working part-time for part of the year. There were no employees with emoluments greater than £60,000.
The Trust has recorded a significant overall surplus for the year of £34,950 reflecting the receipt of grants and restricted gifts in respect of staff salaries which will be used to fund these costs in future periods; and funds received in respect of the portacabin which now reflects an asset on the balance sheet which will be depreciated over a 10 year period.
Total reserves therefore stand at £66,270 as at 31[st] March 2025 (2024: £31,320). The total reserves figure was made up of unrestricted funds of £39,448 including the value of £7,226 in relation to the portacabin, and restricted funds of £26,823 including the value of £5,273 in relation to the portacabin (funded by specific gifts) and £21,069 in relation to staff costs. Two smaller restricted funds also hold a balance, with £176 relating to monies available to be spent in the Carpenders Park area, and £304 for the purchase of bibles for schools.
The (depreciated) value of the portacabin is reflected partly in restricted funds (£5,273) and partly in designed funds (£7,226). The designated fund has been created within unrestricted funds to reflect the value of the asset, as it is not easily convertible into cash and therefore
- 12 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
should not be considered part of free reserves. The asset will continue to be depreciated over 10 years.
Therefore at 31[st] March 2025, unrestricted general funds were £32,222 (2023/24 £26,479) approximately equal to 8 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, and the trustees took the decision to re-employ the additional schools worker in light of the additional financial support received – both restricted and unrestricted.
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 ‘ExploRE’ 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 are very grateful to North Bushey Baptist Church who allowed us to install a portacabin office on their land, and space for our resources shed. Having this permanent base has made a huge difference to our team and we’re so grateful to all those who helped this to become a reality after many years of seeking to find the space we needed.
We would like to express our huge gratitude to Maureen Hider, our Chair of Trustees who stepped down during the year and who has played a significant role in the life of the Trust in the last 5 years.
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.
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
Joanna Woolcock Treasurer
- 13 -
## **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 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes set out on pages 15 to 21.
## **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:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records
- have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Elizabeth Vis (Nov 12, 2025 20:31:20 GMT)
Elizabeth Vis FCA 2 Lower Paddock Road Oxhey Village Watford Hertfordshire WD19 4DS
- 14 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2025**
|**2024/25**
**2024/25**
**2024/25**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
_Notes_
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from**
Donations and legacies
45,700 32,230
77,930
Interest
45 -
45
Other trading activities
520 -
520
**Total income**
**46,265**
**32,230**
**78,495**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
36,233
7,312
43,545
Raising funds
-
-
-
**Total expenditure**
_2_
**36,233**
**7,312**
**43,545**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**10,032**
**24,918**
**34,950**
**Net movement in funds**
**10,032**
**24,918**
**34,950**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
_8_
**Funds brought forward at 1 April 2024**
29,415
1,905
31,320
**Funds carried forward at 31 March 2025**
**39,447**
**26,823**
**66,270**|**2023/24**
**2023/24**
**2023/24**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
32,346
4,214
36,560
60
-
60
683
-
683|
|---|---|
||**33,089**
**4,214**
**37,303**|
||41,604
2,609
44,213
-
-
-|
||**41,604**
**2,609**
**44,213**|
|||
||**(8,515)**
**1,605**
**(6,910)**|
|||
||**(8,515)**
**1,605**
**(6,910)**|
||37,930
300
38,230|
||**29,415**
**1,905**
**31,320**|
- 15 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Balance Sheet as at 31st March**
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|
||_Notes_
**£**
|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||
|Tangible Assets|_3_|**12,499**|**2,936**|
|**Total Fixed Assets**||**12,499**|**2,936**|
|**Current assets**||||
|Debtors|_4_|**4,765**|**3,896**|
|Cash at bank and in hand||**49,303**|**25,386**|
|**Total Current assets**||**54,068**|**29,282**|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|_5_|**(297)**|**(898)**|
|**Net current assets**||**66,270**|**31,320**|
|||||
|**Total net assets**||**66,270**|**31,320**|
|**The funds of the charity**||||
|Unrestricted funds|_8_|**39,447**|**29,415**|
|Restricted funds|_8_|**26,823**|**1,905**|
|**Total charity funds**||**66,270**|**31,320**|
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf:
Joanna Woolcock (Treasurer)
- 16 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Cash Flow Statement as at 31st March**
|**Cash Flow Statement as at 31st March**|||
|---|---|---|
|_Notes_
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
_a_
**Cashflows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
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:**
Depreciation charges
Interest received
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
**Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities**|**2025**
**£**
34,209
(10,337)
45
23,917
25,386
**49,303**
**34,950**
774
(45)
(869)
(601)
**34,209**|**2024**
**£**
(5,712)
**-**
**-**
(5,712)
31,098|
|||**25,386**|
|||**(6,910)**
-
-
843
355|
|||**(5,712)**|
- 17 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Notes to the accounts for the year to 31st March 2025**
**1. Accounting policies**
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are 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 unrestricted 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.
Designated funds – these are unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustees for a particular purpose. Designated funds currently reflect the balance on fixed assets which are not readily convertible into cash and therefore should not be considered part of general funds.
**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.
Depreciation policy
Buildings 10 years
- 18 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Notes to the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2025 (continued)**
## **2. Total Expenditure**
|Staff costs
Resource materials
Travel expenses
Training
Communications
Rental of premises
Insurance
Printing, stationery and postage
IT & Tech Support
Depreciation
Other expenditure
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
**Fundraising expenditure**
**Total Expenditure**
**Fixed Assets**
**Cost**
At 1 April
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March
**Accumulated amortisation**
At 1 April
Charged in the year
At 31 March
**Net Book Value**
At 1 April
At 1 March|**2024/25**
**2024/25**
**2024/25**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
32,117
4,122
36,239
427
2,864
3,291
817
-
817
160
-
160
17
-
17
450
-
450
327
-
327
168
-
168
490
-
490
448
326
774
812
-
812
**36,233**
**7,312**
**43,545**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**36,233**
**7,312**
**43,545**|**2023/24**
**2023/24**
**2023/24**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
38,045
184
38,229
854
2,425
3,279
1,250
-
1,250
-
-
-
458
-
458
54
-
54
323
-
323
137
-
137
-
-
-
-
-
-
483
-
483|
|---|---|---|
|||**41,604**
**2,609**
**44,213**|
|||**-**
**-**
**-**|
|||**41,604**
**2,609**
**44,213**|
|||**2025**
**2024**
2,936
2,936
10,337
-
**-**
**-**|
|||**13,273**
**2,936**|
|||-
-
774
-|
|||**774**
-|
|||2,936
2,936|
|||**12,499**
**2,936**|
## **3. Fixed Assets**
The portacabin was installed and came into use in September 2024, and depreciation was charged monthly from that date.
- 19 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Notes to the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2025 (continued)**
|**4.**
**Debtors**
Accrued income
Prepayments
**5.**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals
**6.**
**Staff costs**
Wages and salaries
Employers’ Pension Contributions
**Average head count (number of staff employed) during the reporting period:**
Schools workers
Administrators|**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
4,495
270
**4,765**
**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
297
**297**
**2024/25**
**£**
35,197
1,042
**36,239**
**No.**
3
1
**4**|**31 March**
**2024**
**£**
3,676
219|
|---|---|---|
|||**3,896**|
|||**31 March**
**2024**
**£**
898|
|||**898**|
|||**2023/24**
**£**
37,116
1,114|
|||**38,229**|
|||**No.**
3
1|
|||**4**|
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: 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 (2024: £nil). Two trustees (2024: two trustee) claimed expenses of £199 (2024: £178)
## **7. Related Party Transactions**
There were no related party transactions during the year (2024: £nil).
- 20 -
## **Watford and District Schools Christian Worker Trust**
## **Notes to the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2025 (continued)**
**8. Reconciliation of Funds**
|**Restricted Funds**
It’s Your Move
Prayer Space
Carpenders Park Fund
Bibles Fund
Office (Portacabin)
Staff costs fund
**Total Restricted Funds**
Designated funds (Office)
General funds
**Total Unrestricted Funds**
**Total Funds**|**1 April 2024**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
1,732
(1,732)
-
-
-
588
(588)
-
-
240
-
(64)
-
176
1,665
-
(1,361)
-
304
-
5,600
(326)
-
5,274
24,310
(3,241)
-
21,069|
|---|---|
||**1,905**
**32,230**
**(7,312)**
-
**26,823**|
||2,936
-
(448)
4,737
7,225
26,479
44,265
(35,785)
(4,737)
32,222|
||**29,415**
**44,265**
**(36,233)**
**-**
**39,447**|
|||
||**31,320**
**78,495**
**(43,545)**
**-**
**66,270**|
- 21 -
## WST 2024-25_final Sign
Final Audit Report
2025-11-12
Created: 2025-11-12 By: Joanna Woolcock (joanna.woolcock@churchofengland.org) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAA16MNEeAIEh0wN8LFyV2clw_918YM8bf6
## "WST 2024-25_final Sign" History
- Document created by Joanna Woolcock (joanna.woolcock@churchofengland.org) 2025-11-12 - 8:17:19 PM GMT
- Document emailed to joanna@woolcock.org for signature
- 2025-11-12 - 8:17:25 PM GMT
- Document emailed to elizabeth.vis@icloud.com for signature
2025-11-12 - 8:17:25 PM GMT
- Email viewed by joanna@woolcock.org
2025-11-12 - 8:17:56 PM GMT
- Signer joanna@woolcock.org entered name at signing as Joanna Woolcock 2025-11-12 - 8:19:50 PM GMT
- Document e-signed by Joanna Woolcock (joanna@woolcock.org) Signature Date: 2025-11-12 - 8:19:52 PM GMT - Time Source: server
- Email viewed by elizabeth.vis@icloud.com 2025-11-12 - 8:30:34 PM GMT
- Signer elizabeth.vis@icloud.com entered name at signing as Elizabeth Vis 2025-11-12 - 8:31:18 PM GMT
- Document e-signed by Elizabeth Vis (elizabeth.vis@icloud.com) Signature Date: 2025-11-12 - 8:31:20 PM GMT - Time Source: server
- Agreement completed.
2025-11-12 - 8:31:20 PM GMT