The Independent Schools Christian Alliance
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2022
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 2022
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE PO Box 17634 Redditch B97 9RW
GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated December 1994, amended April 1995
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1047025 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Robert Court (resigned March 2022) MANAGING THE CHARITY Rev. Alex Aldous (appointed March 2022) Rev. Anthony Buckley Sue Clark (appointed March 2022) Rev. Jim Houghton Rev. Andrew Hutchinson Frankie Knight Rev. Alice Monaghan (appointed March 2022) Lizzy Nesbitt (appointed June 2022) Norman Patterson Victor Selvaraj (appointed March 2022) Antony Spencer Emma Taylor Joanna Wright BANKERS Barclays Bank UK plc 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 2022
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022.
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 increased by £2,000 to £39,000, and expenditure increased by £9,900 to £41,700. As a result the cash held by the charity decreased by £2,700, to £13,700, of which £13,500 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £37,000 (which equates to about 12 months' of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £13,500 and the charity is complying with its reserves 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:
Rev. Anthony Buckley
Date: 02 March 2023
Page 2
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Regd. Charity No. 1047025
Review of the Trust’s Activities:
1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022
The TISCA year begins in tandem with the schools’ academic year. Membership forms were sent out to all schools and individual members in August via email. 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 (e.g. HOPE International, Cambodia, and Treverton College, South Africa). 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.
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 600 copies are printed each time. This academic year we continued with 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. Some schools have also asked to advertise vacancies on our platforms. For members this is free and nonmembers pay £50 per advert.
Over the course of this academic year the TISCA Trustees have continued to meet 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.
It was a delight to be able to return to online meetings during the course of this academic year but we have retained three online evening gatherings (one per term) and also made most other events hybrids. The online events were attended by over 40 people each time, including delegates from Overseas and the Western Isles of Scotland. Julie Robinson of the Independent Schools Council, Graham Daniels of Christians in Sport and Mel Lacy of ‘Growing Young Disciples’ were the main contributors. We have also continued weekly online prayer meeting for Chaplains and now run three very active closed WhatsApp groups
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for Heads, for Chaplains and for Governors. A twice a term online prayer meeting is also offered for Heads.
Our Senior Prefect Training was offered as a hybrid event (and thus allowed Hebron School in India to attend) and attracted 60 pupils from 8 schools, 25 pupils in person and 35 online. Dean Close once again ran an excellent programme and the feedback was most encouraging. One attendee wrote:
- If I had attended it offline, I think it would have been so much better! It was very unfortunate that I was attending it online. But how it was presented, and how all the speakers were so interactive with the audience was really impactful
The residential Chaplains’ Conference (October 2021) returned as a hybrid event. We had over 30 of us in person at the Elim Centre in Malvern with up to 6 at any one time online. There was a warm and supportive atmosphere and excellent sessions, many ‘in house’ from serving chaplains. Areti Bizior (Luckley House) was the visiting Head and she was outstanding. Some sponsorship from Counties UK (and unexpected but vital IT/AV support from Kevin Baldwin, their rep.) A very welcome tea was hosted at Malvern College by their Head, Kevin Metcalfe. As ever, the chaplains felt greatly encouraged and also ‘connected’ by this event.
Our annual Heads’ Meeting took place on Tuesday, 10[th] May 2022, at Cranleigh School with eight Heads attending as well as the new Cranleigh chaplain, Anthony Bewes from Lymington Rushmore camps and Margaret White of ‘Sandpiper’ (supporting whole staff teams). We had a very encouraging and engaging evening with an excellent talk from Martin Reader (the Cranleigh Head) who focused on school mottoes and the focus they can give to a school.
Regional meetings restarted in person and, whilst not as well attended as before the pandemic (c. 15-20 each), proved very worthwhile and encouraging. They were hosted variously by Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire, King’s Bruton in Somerset and Castle Court in Dorset.
This year’s Keynote leadership conference (March 2022) was also run in conjunction with ACT. It was held in Westminster (The Mary Sumner Hall) and attracted over 60 persons online and in person. Renewing our identity in Christ: a Biblical response to issues of identity in education was the theme. It proved to be a challenging and instructive theme and the resources’ area was well stocked and readily accessed.
Our Annual Conference in June 2022 , also held in Westminster, was on the theme Inspiring faithfulness, not fretfulness: being people of compassion and conviction in a post-pandemic society. We had outstanding contributions from a Chaplain (Alice Monaghan, Westonbirt), a Head (John Moule, Radley College), a children’s Author (Matt Wainwright) and a Writer of Christian apologetics (Rebecca McLaughlin) – the latter zooming in from the USA! Over 60 people were present and once again we had a super resources’ area.
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
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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). We have also found ourselves offering support to a couple of governing bodies in member schools as they undergo some pressure following inspections.
Over the course of the year we had five additions to our Trustees’ body : Lizzy Nesbitt (Principal, Emmanuel School, Oxford), Alice Monaghan (Chaplain, Westonbirt), Sue Clark (charity worker and lawyer), Victor Selvaraj (teacher at Mill Hill) and Alex Aldous (Chaplain, Prestfelde Prep School). Robert Court retired after a long and successful stint as a Trustee, latterly as Chair, and Revd Anthony Buckley took over as the Chair.
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 2022
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 2022 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: 14 March 2023
Page 6
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022
| Notes Income receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Conference and other events Membership subscriptions: School membership Prefects Training Investment income HMRC refund Other Capital and similar receipts Total receipts Payments 2 Total payments Transfers between funds 5 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 £ £ 8,861 - 2,711 - 7,162 - 14,026 - 400 - 1,353 - 3,345 - 1,026 - 38,884 - - - - - 38,884 - 41,743 - 41,743 - (2,859) - - - (2,859) - 16,364 - 13,505 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 200 - - - - - - - 200 - - 200 - - 200 - 200 - 200 |
Total 2022 £ 9,061 2,711 7,162 14,026 400 1,353 3,345 1,026 39,084 - - 39,084 41,743 41,743 (2,659) - (2,659) 16,364 13,705 |
Total 2021 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 8,861 2,711 7,162 14,026 400 1,353 3,345 1,026 38,884 - - 38,884 41,743 41,743 (2,859) - (2,859) 16,364 13,505 |
|||||
| 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 |
The notes on pages 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022
| A Cash funds Held at Bank Held in term deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year: PAYE and pension Fee for Independent Examination |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 6,505 - 7,000 - 13,505 - 132 - 132 - 393 - 720 - 1,113 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 200 - 200 - - - - - |
Total 2022 £ 6,705 7,000 13,705 132 132 393 720 1,113 |
Total 2021 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,364 7,000 |
||||
| 16,364 | ||||
| 1,665 | ||||
| 1,665 | ||||
| 483 702 |
||||
| 1,185 |
D Assets retained for charity's own use The charity owns no assets.
E Investment assets
| estment assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COIF Charities Investment Fund: 2,492.02 [2021: 2,492.02] units Unit price (pence per unit) Market value at 30 June 45,446 |
- | - | 2022 £ 1,824 45,446 |
2021 £ |
| 1,924 | ||||
| 47,956 |
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by date Rev. Anthony Buckley 02 March 2023
The notes on pages 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022
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 and prefect training Software and support Insurance Post, printing and production of TISCA news Accounts and independent examination Travel Regional and trustee expenses Administration and other costs |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2022 £ 26,425 6,705 579 872 4,048 702 848 342 1,222 41,743 |
Total 2021 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 26,425 6,705 579 872 4,048 702 848 342 1,222 41,743 |
||||||
| 23,849 510 413 866 3,844 696 - - 1,661 |
||||||
| 31,838 |
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, other than expenses reimbursed on behalf of the charity.
4 Acting as agent
During the year the charity acted as agent for a collection for an individual and, in that capacity, received £100 and paid out £100. This income is received as agent and the related payment is excluded from the Receipts and Payments account.
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Restricted funds Training/conference fund Total funds |
Opening balance £ 16,364 16,364 - - 16,364 |
Receipts £ 38,884 38,884 200 200 39,084 |
Payments £ (41,743) (41,743) - - (41,743) |
Transfers £ - - - - |
Closing balance £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13,505 | |||||
| 13,505 | |||||
| 200 | |||||
| 200 | |||||
| 13,705 |
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