OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1.08.2020 Period start date To 31.07.2021 Period end date

Charity name: Alleyn Court Educational Trust

Charity registration number: 02737124

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 To promote and provide for the
advancement of education and in
connection therewith to conduct and carry
on and acquire and develop a school to be
known as Alleyn Court Preparatory School
and any other boarding or day schools in
the United Kingdom for the education of
children of either sex or both sexes and to
supply to the pupils general instruction of
the highest standard, together with
physical moral and spiritual training and
further to provide bursary support allowing
access to education.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 Provision of education to a rising school
role and the distribution of means tested
bursaries to allow those without sufficient
means to participate in the education.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees have had to regard to public
benefit in allowing external community
bodies to use to the school grounds and in
providing a generous scholarship scheme.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Grants/ Bursaries are means tested and
are assessed by an independent assessor.
Para 1.38 We regret that, due to the coronavirus
pandemic, we were not able to let others
use the school grounds during this period.
We hope to return to our earlier practise of
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 offering sporting facilities as the pandemic
ebbs.
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 Parents have volunteered to assist the
school in a number of ways, in particular
through the Forest School
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 The school started the year with 282
children enrolled which is somewhat lower
than the target of 300. By the end of the
school year this had risen to 297. The lower
roll is perceived to be a product of a
demographic low that is affected all schools
in the area.
The school continued to operate under
covid provisions with regular updates to
practices and risk assessments.
Outcomes for children on Bursaries;
•
One scholarship to CH (music) and
one normal entry. The school also
supported the CH admissions office
access headteachers in Southend,
and from there three other children
from state schools in the Local
Authority were admitted to CH.
The Trust continues to encourage the
school to provide opportunities for children
across Southend to gather for competitive
sporting fixtures. These were well attended
and highly valued by local state schools,
their children and families. This was
particularly important at a time many state
schools were struggling with holding any
competitive sports fixtures.
After some consideration the trustees
decided to withdraw the school from the
TPS and offer an alternative pension
scheme to teachers. The proposal led to an
NEU ballot and industrial action. Notice
was given that the school intended to leave
the TPS and no teachers resigned as a
result.

The trustees were grateful to the hard work of the staff, especially the Senior Leadership Team whose exceptional effort meant that that the school performed well during a challenging year. The patience of the school team, the parents and pupils during the disruption meant that the school could remain open throughout. A process of curriculum development has begun with the implementation of a programme of pupil engagement in decision-making.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review – PREPARED BY NSO ASSOCIATES

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 At 31 July 2021: consolidated net assets
£1,151,844 (2020 - £912,161); and cash at
bank £867,440 (2020-£611,175)
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 We hold reserves to provide capital for the
school.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 At 31 July 2021: £1,151,844 (2020 -
£912,161)
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 The Trustees continually review the future
financial position of the charity and school.
They consider that the Reserves are
sufficient to enable the school to continue
providing teaching for the foreseeable
future, and to refurbish the School
premises to the level expected by
prospective pupils and parents.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 The largest single expense remains the
payroll and related costs. Close attention is
given at trustee meetings to the student
numbers and the fees anticipated in order
to ensure that we remain solvent.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 Trust
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Elected by Trustee body

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 New trustees receive training organised by the
school and in consultation with existing
members of the trustee body. Recently the
trustees have received training on the legal
obligations of being a trustee from LMWB and
the broader aspects of governance and
compliance from AGBIS.
The Trust owns the shares of the School
Company of Alleyn Court School.
The largest single expense is the payroll. Close
attention is given at trustee meetings to the
student numbers and the fees anticipated in
order to ensure that we remain solvent.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Alleyn Court Educational Trust Other name the charity uses

Registered charity number 02737124
Charity’s principal address Alleyn Court School
Wakering Road
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS3 0PW 01702 582553

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Judith Collis Chair
Christopher Mills
John Wilcox
Shameem Nabi
George Wilcox
Nieves Vara
Gonzalez
Richard Green
Mark Albon
Margaret Ridley Until 9 June 2021
Reim Rowe
Sarah Drummond

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets none held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date
Dr Judith Collis

Chair of Trustees
01/03/2022
01/03/2022

ALLEYN COURT EDUCATIONAL TRUST

THP Chartered Accountants – Group Audit Findings Report

Audit for the period ended 31 July 2021

Page 1

Section Content Pages
1 Introduction 3-4
2 Findings from our audit 5-8
3 Audit adjustments 9
4 Unadjusted errors 9

Page 2

1 Introduction

This report summarises the findings from the audit for the year ended 31 July 2021, which is now substantially complete. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Trustees and staff for the assistance and co-operation we have received during the course of our work.

This report is for your private use only. It has been prepared on the understanding that it will not be disclosed to any third party, or quoted to or referred to, without our prior written consent and we assume no responsibility to any other party.

Financial statements

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Financial Statements on a going concern basis unless this basis is inappropriate. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Financial Statements give a true and fair view and that any disclosure on going concern is clear, balanced and appropriate.

Matters from our audit

In accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK & Ireland) (“ISAs”), we are required to draw your attention to certain issues arising from our audit which we believe you should have in mind when considering whether to approve the final draft Financial Statements. The matters are set out in Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this report.

Our audit work included an examination of some of the transactions and procedures with a view to expressing an opinion on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2021. This work was not directed primarily towards discovering weaknesses other than those that would affect our audit opinion or towards the detection of fraud. We have included in this report only matters that have come to our attention as a result of our normal audit procedures and consequently our comments should not be regarded as a comprehensive record of all weaknesses that may exist or of all improvements that might be made.

Audit procedures

We refer to our engagement letter dated 15 January 2021 which sets out the terms of our audit appointment. There are no changes to the terms in that letter of which you should be aware.

Our audit procedures, which are designed primarily to enable us to form an opinion on your Financial Statements, were carried out in accordance with ISAs. Our work continues to combine substantive procedures involving direct verification of balances and transactions, including obtaining confirmations from third parties where we considered this to be necessary, with a review of certain of your financial systems and controls.

We refer to our letter of 9 February 2022 in which we set out our overall approach the audit. There are no additional matters to bring to your attention.

Page 3

Independence

We refer to our letter of 9 February 2022 in which we set out the results of our review of our independence and objectivity as auditors in the light of Ethical Standards. We confirm that there have been no additional matters that might have an influence on our independence or objectivity.

Status of audit

Our audit fieldwork was completed in March 2022 and all of our audit queries are now resolved.

Page 4

2 Findings from our audit

Opinion on the Financial Statements

Based on our audit work to date we expect to issue an unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements.

Please note that if additional relevant audit information is identified in the course of your consideration of the draft Financial Statements and representation letter, it may cause us to revise our audit opinion.

Significant audit issues, difficulties encountered and weaknesses in internal controls – The Management Letter

It is the responsibility of the Trustees to develop and implement systems of internal financial control and to put in place proper arrangements to monitor their adequacy and effectiveness in practice. Our responsibility as your auditor is to consider whether the Trustees have put adequate arrangements in place to satisfy themselves that the systems of internal financial control are both adequate and effective in practice.

Our work during the audit included an examination of some of the Group’s transactions and key controls and procedures with a view to expressing an opinion on the Financial Statements for the year. This work was not directed primarily towards discovering weaknesses or towards the detection of fraud. We have only considered matters that have come to our attention as a result of our normal audit procedures, and consequently our comments should not be regarded as a comprehensive record of all weaknesses that may exist or of all improvements that might be made.

Quality of the Accounting Records

We are pleased to report to you that, other than matters listed below, we did not find significant issues with the quality and accuracy of the accounting records and controls.

This was driven by the strong controls and compliance procedures implemented by the management.

Page 5

The following table sets out what, in our opinion, are certain deficiencies in your systems of internal control and, where relevant, our recommendations for improving the position. Where applicable, comments received from Management are included.

Issue and Risk Management Response
1.
Fees received from a past student
•
During the previous year’s audit we discovered
that the school continued to receive £100 per
month, total received £11,827 as at 31 July
2021, from a particular student reference
RAGC01, although the pupil has long left the
school.
•We will need to revisit this area when we audit
the 2022 Financial Statements.		 We are advised that both banks, Barclays and
Lloyds are unable to cancel the Direct Debit and
have advised to contact the customer. The school
no longer holds a valid contact details of the
parents. On 9 March 2022 a letter was sent to
Lloyds bank to cancel the direct debit.

Page 6

Matters of governance interest

We did not identify any significant issues relating to the governance of the Group which we feel should be drawn to your attention in the context of the approval of the Financial Statements.

Other matters to be reported by exception

Under the Companies Act, we are required to report if we are not satisfied with the position in relation to:

the adequacy of accounting records;

the adequacy of returns received from branches not visited by us;

We confirm that we are satisfied in these respects, and will confirm in our audit report that we have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Going concern basis of accounting

The Financial Statements have been prepared on the going concern basis of accounting.

We are satisfied, on the basis of our review, that the going concern basis is appropriate.

Accounting policies

We are satisfied that the Financial Statements give a true and fair view on the basis of the accounting policies adopted.

Accounting estimates

We have reviewed the accounting estimates adopted by the Group.

More generally, we have reviewed the procedures and documentation maintained by Management when considering the accounting estimates within the Financial Statements.

We are satisfied that, in all material respects, the Financial Statements show a true and fair view with the existing estimates.

Related party transactions

We have identified few related party transactions that we believe require disclosure in the consolidated accounts. These have been confirmed separately with you in the letter of representation.

Page 7

Fraud indicators

Management has confirmed to us that it is not aware of any significant incidences of fraud or suspected fraud during the year. We have not identified any reason to doubt that confirmation.

Compliance with laws and regulations

In our opinion, the areas of law and regulation which are relevant to the Financial Statements are as follows:

Companies Act 2006

FRS 102 (Charites SORP)

Charities Act 2011

Bribery Act 2010

Employment law

Data protection legislation and GDPR

Management has confirmed that it is not aware of any breaches. We did not identify any instances of non-compliance during the course of our audit work.

Other disclosures in the Financial Statements

We have reviewed the Financial Statements, and have formed the view that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act, the Companies Act and relevant Accounting Standards.

Our review found no significant disclosure omissions in the Financial Statements.

Page 8

3 Audit adjustments

ISAs require that we report to you all misstatements which we identified as a result of the audit process and which were not adjusted, unless those matters are clearly trivial in size or nature. We bring them to your attention to aid you in fulfilling your governance responsibilities.

There were no audit adjustments during the audit.

4 Unadjusted misstatements

There were no non-trivial adjustments during the audit.

Page 9