The Independent Schools Christian Alliance
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2021
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE PO Box 17634 Redditch B97 9RW Declaration of Trust dated December 1994, GOVERNING DOCUMENT amended April 1995 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1047025 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Mr R J Court (Chairman) MANAGING THE CHARITY Rev. A Buckley Mrs S E Griffiths (resigned March 2021) Rev. J Houghton Rev. A Hutchinson Mrs F Knight Mr N Patterson Mr A Spencer Mrs E Taylor Rev. G J Williams (resigned June 2021) Mrs J Wright BANKERS Barclays Bank plc CAF Bank Ltd INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 9 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021.
Objects of the charity
The charity, is constituted as a trust governed by a trust deed. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are to promote and advance evangelical Christian education and to advance education generally, and to advance the Christian religion generally.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
See pages 3 to 5 for full report.
Financial review
During the year income (excluding sale of investments) decreased by £6,200, to £31,100, and expenditure decreased by £5,600, to £31,800. Overall the cash held by the charity increased by £5,300, to £16,400, of which all is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves policy
The Trust needs reserves to ensure it can fulfil and complete the charitable obligations and commitments it enters into. The trustees believe that the minimum level of reserves that are freely available from cash and investments for its general purposes should be the equivalent of twelve months’ operating costs (approximately £37,000), reviewed annually. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £16,400 (see 'Assets' tab for current value of investments). The charity is complying with its policy.
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
R J Court (Chairman)
Date: 03 March 2022
Page 2
Regd. Charity No. 1047025
Review of the Trust’s Activities:
1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021
The TISCA year begins in tandem with the schools’ academic year. Membership forms were sent out to all schools and individual members in August. We continued with the policy of preparing formal invoices for schools (and emailing these out with a personalised letter) which have in the past provided generous support for TISCA by paying a subscription as Foundation or Associate Schools of TISCA. The response to this approach was again gratifying, with most of the schools paying up promptly and cheerfully. We now have two Academies in membership, additional Schools in both categories and also a few more Overseas’ Schools. An encouraging number of individual members now pay their subscriptions by Standing Order (and many add in a gift, too), which provides a greater degree of financial security as we look to the future. A few member schools have, however, closed largely owing to the impact of COVID-19.
We now produce two print editions of TISCA News and Views (TNV) each year – Autumn and Spring – and have updated their presentation, increased the number of pages and secured a few paid adverts / advertorials to offset costs. Some 575 copies are printed each time. This academic year we also began a monthly e-TNV which generally contains two short articles and an occasional advertorial. These also go out by email to nearly 600 people and the response to this, and the upgraded print TNV, have been gratifying.
Over the course of this academic year the TISCA Trustees have met with the Trustees of another Christian educational charity, ACT (The Association of Christian Teachers), for prayer and some discussion. The outcome has been a MOU to encourage us to continue to work together in promoting events, to establish an annual one-day conference for both to arrange jointly (in March each year) and to continue to share resources and to pray together. This is proving a very fruitful area of co-operation, not least because ACT focuses on the maintained sector whilst TISCA relates closely to the independent sector.
In the light of the COVID pandemic, most TISCA events and training moved online via Zoom. In the main, this seems to have increased our reach and presence – for example we had delegates from Europe and Asia involved in the prefects’ training and in the annual conference. We have also established a weekly online prayer meeting for Chaplains and now run three very active closed WhatsApp groups for Heads, for Chaplains and, most recently, for Governors.
We decided to run our Prefect Training , mornings only, via Zoom. There was little take-up for the Juniors (scheduled for the 17[th] September, to be run by Kingham Hill) and so we decided to cancel this event. The senior training, however, was ‘packed’ with 70 pupils
Page 3
across 9 schools, including one from overseas (Hebron) and one Academy (Broadway). The training was again delivered by Dean Close School staff (Chaplain, Head, Warden, Staff member) and went extremely well. We had much positive ‘Survey Monkey’ feedback with the main criticism being not enough time in the break out rooms.
The Chaplains’ Conference (which normally takes place every 18 months as a residential event) was also online. By all accounts it was a resounding success (Survey Monkey comments were very upbeat) despite the restrictions of Zoom. Some 42 chaplains attended and sessions were taken by John Moule (Warden, Radley), Alex Aldous (Chaplain, Prestfelde), Tim Mullins (Chaplain, Stowe), John Denning (Christian Institute), Maggie Everett (CCE) and Anthony Buckley (TISCA vice chair) who led three excellent devotional sessions.
Our annual Heads’ Meeting took place on Thursday, 5[th] November 2020 (online in the evening). We had 32 Heads signed up and in the event 24 logged in online (with several others accessing the recording later). There was a good spread of Prep/Senior school Heads, including several who are new to TISCA. Justin Blake (formerly of Windlesham House School) shared about Project 100 (a bursary scheme) and our main speaker was Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick. His theme was ‘ the opportunity the pandemic affords to reshape education for 50 years ’. He was both inspiring and challenging in urging us to ‘think differently’.
Regional meetings have not been possible during lockdown and so we moved to an evening meeting in January with John Casson CMG, a former British Ambassador to Egypt. His topic was ‘ Soulful leadership: where to go when skill and will are not enough ’. We attracted 60 people and were treated to an entertaining and challenging talk followed by lively discussion in ‘break out rooms’. This pattern of an online ‘regional meeting’ (which actually enabled Overseas’ members to join) will be repeated more systematically in 2021-2.
As already indicated, we worked alongside ACT to hold a Keynote leadership conference online in March 2021. This attracted 74 bookings (including speakers) – some 55 of whom were TISCA contacts, 15 were ACT and 4 were ‘both’. Around 40-50 people were online at any one time. The technical side worked well. Lizzie Harewood (ACT Exec Officer) chaired the conference while TISCA managed the online delivery. Feedback was universally positive and very encouraging with the keynote address by Laura and James Mears (‘ Know yourself to lead yourself’ ) being especially well received. Justin Blake (of BBI and HundrED UK) helped with some of the planning. It was evident that there was a falloff in participation after lunch (although each of the four seminars were quite well supported) and this informed our planning and timings for the June conference. We did attract £300 worth of sponsorship from Moore Barlow LLP and this helped pay for the book tokens sent to speakers. Overall a positive experience and certainly the relationship with ACT was strengthened by it.
Our Annual Conference (held over from 2020) in June 2021 was on ‘ Hope over anxiety in a post-COVID world’. Learning from the March Keynote conference, we focused on morning sessions only online and heard from Andy Wolfe (Deputy Director of Education at the CoE), Antony Spencer (CEO of Mill Hill Foundation – and a TISCA Trustee), Steve Beegoo (of the Christian Schools Trust), Revd Lindsay Collings (chaplain at King’s Canterbury), Simon Walker
Page 4
(of STEER) and Emma Taylor (Warden of Dean Close – and a TISCA Trustee). There was a good gathering of over 50 people at any one time and we have found we are now cannier over using Zoom technology and ‘break out rooms’!
Over the course of the academic year, we have continued to meet regularly via Zoom in meetings with CCfE (Christian Coalition for Education), CCE (Centre for Chaplaincy in Education) and the EA ’s (Evangelical Alliance) Education Forum. Key contacts are also being forged with CST (Christian Schools’ Trust), CVE (Christian Values Education – Scotland) and with Christian Concern. TISCA is also a member of the REC (Religious Education Council) and this academic year we submitted a paper calling into question the renaming of RE as ‘religion and worldviews’.
Over the course of the year we had two changes in our Trustees’ body : Sarah Griffiths (deputy Head Caterham School) has stepped down owing to pressure of work and Revd Gavin Williams (Chaplain at Westminster School) has retired.
Our objectives are set to reflect the educational and charitable aims of TISCA. In setting our objectives and planning our activities the TISCA Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. They are satisfied that the activities described above provide clear and substantial public benefit.
Alastair Reid
General Secretary October 2021
Page 5
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Independent Schools Christian Alliance ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2021 on pages 7 to 9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jaimée Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 23 March 2022
Page 6
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
| Notes Income receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Conference and other events Membership subscriptions: School membership Prefects Training Investment income Other Capital and similar receipts Total receipts Payments 2 Total payments Transfers between funds 4 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Sale of investments |
General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 9,553 - - - 4,214 - 14,805 - 990 - 1,440 - 125 - 31,127 - 6,000 - 6,000 - 37,127 - 31,838 - 31,838 - 5,290 - - - 5,290 - 11,075 - 16,364 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2021 £ 9,553 - 4,214 14,805 990 1,440 125 31,127 6,000 6,000 37,127 31,838 31,838 5,290 - 5,290 11,075 16,364 |
Total 2020 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 9,553 - 4,214 14,805 990 1,440 125 31,127 6,000 6,000 37,127 31,838 31,838 5,290 - 5,290 11,075 16,364 |
|||||
| 13,730 1,514 6,332 13,005 1,235 1,471 16 |
|||||
| 37,302 | |||||
| - | |||||
| - | |||||
| 37,302 | |||||
| 37,404 | |||||
| 37,404 | |||||
| (102) - |
|||||
| (102) 11,177 |
|||||
| 11,075 |
The notes on page 9 forms part of these accounts.
Page 7
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
| A Cash funds Held at Bank Held in term deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Prepaid conference events (postponed due to lockdown) C Liabilities Falling due within one year: PAYE and pension Fee for Independent Examination Conference attendance fees received in advance D Assets retained for charity's own use The charity owns no assets. |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 9,364 - 7,000 - 16,364 - 1,665 - - - 1,665 - 483 - 702 - - - 1,185 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2021 £ 9,364 7,000 16,364 1,665 - 1,665 483 702 - 1,185 |
Total 2020 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,075 7,000 |
||||
| 11,075 | ||||
| 228 2,376 |
||||
| 2,604 | ||||
| 414 696 955 |
||||
| 2,065 | ||||
E Investment assets
| COIF Charities Investment Fund: 2,492.02 [2020: 2,815.37] income shares Unit price (pence per unit) Market value at 30 June 2021 47,956 |
- | - | 1,924 47,956 |
1,678 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47,240 |
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
| by | date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R J Court (Chairman) | 03 | March | 2022 |
The notes on page 9 forms part of these accounts.
Page 8
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs and expenses Note 3 Conference costs Software and support Insurance Printing and production of TISCA news Postage and stationery Accounts and examination Travel Regional and trustee expenses Other costs |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2021 £ 23,849 510 413 866 2,541 1,303 696 - - 1,661 31,838 |
Total 2020 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 23,849 510 413 866 2,541 1,303 696 - - 1,661 31,838 |
||||||
| 25,155 5,021 816 866 1,151 1,789 690 911 263 742 |
||||||
| 37,404 |
3 Transactions with related parties
At the year end the charity had two employees, to whom the employment costs above refer. No amounts were paid or are payable to any trustee or to any person connected to them.
Page 9