## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 30[th] June 2024**
Education Otherwise Association charity registration number: 1055120
## **Objectives**
To promote, maintain, improve, and advance public education, particularly by the provision of information, support and facilities to enable parents to make educational provision for their children otherwise than through full time state or private educational institutions.
## **Activities**
Education Otherwise is a membership organisation for the public and social benefit, which provides support and information for families whose children are being educated outside of school and for those who wish to uphold the freedom of families to choose the best form of education for their children.
## **Our principal aims are:**
- To encourage, promote and support learning outside of the school system.
- To reaffirm that parents have the primary responsibility for their children's education and that they have the right to exercise this responsibility by educating them out of school.
- To establish the primary right of children to have full consideration given to their
- wishes and feelings about their education.
- To promote knowledge, understanding and acceptance of education otherwise than at school in the world at large.
These aims are met via our publicly accessible website as well as through the public helpline and our social media group. Support and information are provided to members, home educators, the media, local and national government and other interested parties including voluntary agencies. In addition, members can take advantage of our free report checking services, discounts, email and internet support. Local authorities and other public bodies can take advantage of our professional development offer.
Local Home Education Groups organised by Education Otherwise members may take advantage of reduced premiums for Public Liability Insurance through our Policy.
Education Otherwise is entirely run and managed by volunteers and the main activities undertaken by the charity are in furtherance of the public benefit. In organising these activities, trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The charity continues to make a difference through the support given by our volunteers.
**Telephone helpline:** Our telephone helpline is serviced by professionally trained volunteers and receives a significant number of calls. Callers are reassured and supported by the information which they receive. During 2023 to 2024 the number of calls answered was high, averaging 300 per month. This year, the primary reason for
calling has changed with significant numbers of callers expressing reluctance to home educate but feeling forced to do so as a result of their child’s mental health and special needs not being met.
**Website:** Our website traffic has continued to be at high levels throughout the year.
**Advice and information:** Our fact sheets and information continue to be referred to and to meet the needs of home educating families and other stakeholders. Increasingly, local authorities are referring parents to our services in greater numbers with clear statements being made by some that Education Otherwise information is respected and valued.
## **Consultations and stakeholder involvement**
We continue to be asked to give media interviews and to contribute to consultations.
We have met with a number of other public bodies and agencies in order to raise concerns on behalf of our members and service users.
We have continued to widen our contact base with public bodies and organisations in order to further the needs of our members and service users.
We sit on the small panel of stakeholders working with the DfE in order to provide a direct means of raising concerns held by service users.
We successfully challenged the new Welsh guidance backed by high quality legal advice resulting in a significant amendment to that guidance.
## **Initiatives**
The Kit award for excellence continues to be well received. The award seeks to encourage excellence in local authority home education practice. Nominations are made by home educating families and awards are based on those nominations. Awards were made on to 57 local authorities for the award session 1[st] September 2023. Nominations were down as a result of concerns over proposed regulation and government Bills aimed at introducing a statutory register.
Report checking: Our professional report checking service for members has proven popular amongst members who are reassured by the service being insured, subject to Data Protection regulations and producing a very high level of report acceptance. Non members can also access the service. Our checkers have met our target turnaround in over 97% of cases and received consistent, positive feedback from service users.
Youth panel: The youth panel has met with peers to garner support for examination initiatives and demonstrated incredible competence in supporting our young people’s needs.
## **Local Authority Continuous Professional Development (training)**
In January 2023 we introduced CPD for local authority staff which has been extremely well received. The CPD comes from a position of positive practice and is informed by feedback from members and service users, together with our research into positive practice in highly regarded local authority areas. By the end of the 2024 financial year, we had provided CPD to approximately 130 local authorities, together with other public bodies.
**Financial Review**
2
## **Income**
Income from all sources is up in 2024 at £25,468 compared to £22,148 (total) in 2022 to 2023.
This is primarily through membership income with membership continuing to grow.
## **Expenditure**
Ordinary operating expenditure this year is £23,621 a rise from £10,742 last year which reflects our greater level of service provision and commitment to professionalism. This was in part made up of training costs for volunteers and legal fees to not only ensure that our services remain accurate, but also to confirm questions raised in respect of state benefits and special needs provision. **Balances**
Overall, the charity had a surplus of £4,819 during the financial year, a reduction from the previous financial year. Overall, funds held amount to £61,993 which is approximately three years of normal operating expenditure.
## **Principal sources of funds**
The principal source of funds remains the sale of memberships, together with donations from members and the public. The charity also charges a fee for local groups to be included under the cover of its insurance policy and a portion of the annual insurance fee is covered by this income.
## **Principal Risks**
Possible future decline in income from memberships is a concern which has arisen in previous years, but buoyant membership uptake shows promise for future years. Trustees remain vigilant to the possibility of the effects of increasing inflation and membership numbers falling in the future.
## **Reserves**
The charity currently holds reserves amounting to approximately three years’ expenditure. The trustees consider this to be more than adequate. Trustees maintain awareness of the need to comply with Charity regulations by using funds toward service provision and not holding an excess in reserve.
## **Going concern**
The charity’s financial position remains secure with no uncertainty about remaining a going concern.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Constitution**
Education Otherwise Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is not linked with any other organisation.
## **Membership**
Membership is by annual subscription and is open to individuals and organisations involved with, or having an interest, in home education. Voting rights have been opened to all members upon application in order to increase our democratic approach to governance.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
Trustees are recruited from members who have requisite skills and abilities to support the charity today and into the future. All trustees must be registered members of the charity at the time of appointment. Potential trustees are proposed to the AGM. Trustees are appointed for a term of four years, although they may be coopted between AGMs. Co-opted trustees must stand down, or stand for election, at the following AGM. A permanent trusteeship can be awarded to one long standing
3
and experienced trustee. This post is currently held by Dr Fe Mukwamba-Sendall as charity President.
There is a stringent interview procedure in place to ensure that potential trustees meet eligibility criteria before being proposed for election or co-opted.
## **Trustee Induction and Training**
New trustees are provided with information about their role and responsibilities as Trustees via the Trustee handbook, trustee forum and remote meetings.
## **Trustee Associate Role**
Trustee associates support trustees in their respective roles and responsibilities. The position of Trustee associates underpins the charity’s succession plans.
## **Reference and Administration**
Trustees for the period 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024
## **Joined during the period**
- Katie Cox (Was Baines) (Co-opted 24th February 2024)
- Kate Mandrill (Co-opted 26[th] May 2024)
- Lucca Campbell (Co-opted 26[th] May 2024)
## **Continuing in post throughout the period**
- F. Mukwamba-Sendall (appointed 1[st] December 2012)
- W. Charles-Warner (Co-opted September 2019. Confirmed 12[th] October 2019)
- A. Neil (Co-opted September 2019. Confirmed 12[th] October 2019)
- Helena Wilson (Co-opted 15[th] October 2020, confirmed at AGM 16[th] October 2020)
- Merlyn Wright (Co-opted 29[th] July 2022)
- Rebecca Silverwood (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021)
- Gary Campbell (Co-opted 10th June 2023, confirmed at AGM 30[th] September 2023)
- Katie Cousins (Co-opted 7th March 2023, confirmed at AGM 30th September 2023).
## **Resignations during this period**
- Catherine (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021, resigned 30[th] September 2023)
- John Yates (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021, resigned 20[th] March 2024 )
**Trustees’ responsibilities for the preparation of the financial statements** The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting standards.
- In preparing those statements, the trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities SORP.
## **Declarations**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above
4
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall, Wendy Charles-Warner, Dr Ambroz Neil, Helena Wilson, Merlyn Wright, Gary Campbell, Katie Cousins, Rebecca Silverwood, Katie Cox, Lucca Campbell and Katie Mandrill.
31[st] August 2024
## **Financial report**
Education Otherwise Association Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 30[th] June 2024
|
ending 30thJune 2024|||
|---|---|---|
||2024 in £|2023 in £|
|**Income and Endowments**|||
|Membership and donations|24,418|18,834|
|Investment income|1,050|314|
|Other income|0|3,000|
|Total income|**25,468**|**22,148**|
||||
|**Expenditure**|||
|Charitable activities|17,903|8,584|
|Other|5,718|2,158|
|Total Expenditure|**23,621**|**10,742**|
||||
|Net Movement in Funds|1,847|11,406|
||||
|**Reconciliation of funds**|||
|Total funds brought forward|57,174|45,768|
|Net movement in the year|4,819|11,406|
|Total funds carried forward|**61,993**|**57,174**|
## **Expenditure**
|Expenditure on raising funds|0|
|---|---|
|Other expenditure|5,718|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|17,903|
|Total expenditure value in grants to institutions|0|
|Governance costs|0|
|||
|Other recognised gains and losses|0|
|||
|**Assets**||
|Total fxed assets|0|
5
|Total current assets (cash in bank)|**61,993**|
|---|---|
|||
|**Liabilities**|0|
|Total net assets|**61,993**|
|Unrestricted funds|**61,993**|
6
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 30[th] June 2024**
Education Otherwise Association charity registration number: 1055120
## **Objectives**
To promote, maintain, improve, and advance public education, particularly by the provision of information, support and facilities to enable parents to make educational provision for their children otherwise than through full time state or private educational institutions.
## **Activities**
Education Otherwise is a membership organisation for the public and social benefit, which provides support and information for families whose children are being educated outside of school and for those who wish to uphold the freedom of families to choose the best form of education for their children.
## **Our principal aims are:**
- To encourage, promote and support learning outside of the school system.
- To reaffirm that parents have the primary responsibility for their children's education and that they have the right to exercise this responsibility by educating them out of school.
- To establish the primary right of children to have full consideration given to their
- wishes and feelings about their education.
- To promote knowledge, understanding and acceptance of education otherwise than at school in the world at large.
These aims are met via our publicly accessible website as well as through the public helpline and our social media group. Support and information are provided to members, home educators, the media, local and national government and other interested parties including voluntary agencies. In addition, members can take advantage of our free report checking services, discounts, email and internet support. Local authorities and other public bodies can take advantage of our professional development offer.
Local Home Education Groups organised by Education Otherwise members may take advantage of reduced premiums for Public Liability Insurance through our Policy.
Education Otherwise is entirely run and managed by volunteers and the main activities undertaken by the charity are in furtherance of the public benefit. In organising these activities, trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The charity continues to make a difference through the support given by our volunteers.
**Telephone helpline:** Our telephone helpline is serviced by professionally trained volunteers and receives a significant number of calls. Callers are reassured and supported by the information which they receive. During 2023 to 2024 the number of calls answered was high, averaging 300 per month. This year, the primary reason for
calling has changed with significant numbers of callers expressing reluctance to home educate but feeling forced to do so as a result of their child’s mental health and special needs not being met.
**Website:** Our website traffic has continued to be at high levels throughout the year.
**Advice and information:** Our fact sheets and information continue to be referred to and to meet the needs of home educating families and other stakeholders. Increasingly, local authorities are referring parents to our services in greater numbers with clear statements being made by some that Education Otherwise information is respected and valued.
## **Consultations and stakeholder involvement**
We continue to be asked to give media interviews and to contribute to consultations.
We have met with a number of other public bodies and agencies in order to raise concerns on behalf of our members and service users.
We have continued to widen our contact base with public bodies and organisations in order to further the needs of our members and service users.
We sit on the small panel of stakeholders working with the DfE in order to provide a direct means of raising concerns held by service users.
We successfully challenged the new Welsh guidance backed by high quality legal advice resulting in a significant amendment to that guidance.
## **Initiatives**
The Kit award for excellence continues to be well received. The award seeks to encourage excellence in local authority home education practice. Nominations are made by home educating families and awards are based on those nominations. Awards were made on to 57 local authorities for the award session 1[st] September 2023. Nominations were down as a result of concerns over proposed regulation and government Bills aimed at introducing a statutory register.
Report checking: Our professional report checking service for members has proven popular amongst members who are reassured by the service being insured, subject to Data Protection regulations and producing a very high level of report acceptance. Non members can also access the service. Our checkers have met our target turnaround in over 97% of cases and received consistent, positive feedback from service users.
Youth panel: The youth panel has met with peers to garner support for examination initiatives and demonstrated incredible competence in supporting our young people’s needs.
## **Local Authority Continuous Professional Development (training)**
In January 2023 we introduced CPD for local authority staff which has been extremely well received. The CPD comes from a position of positive practice and is informed by feedback from members and service users, together with our research into positive practice in highly regarded local authority areas. By the end of the 2024 financial year, we had provided CPD to approximately 130 local authorities, together with other public bodies.
**Financial Review**
2
## **Income**
Income from all sources is up in 2024 at £25,468 compared to £22,148 (total) in 2022 to 2023.
This is primarily through membership income with membership continuing to grow.
## **Expenditure**
Ordinary operating expenditure this year is £23,621 a rise from £10,742 last year which reflects our greater level of service provision and commitment to professionalism. This was in part made up of training costs for volunteers and legal fees to not only ensure that our services remain accurate, but also to confirm questions raised in respect of state benefits and special needs provision. **Balances**
Overall, the charity had a surplus of £4,819 during the financial year, a reduction from the previous financial year. Overall, funds held amount to £61,993 which is approximately three years of normal operating expenditure.
## **Principal sources of funds**
The principal source of funds remains the sale of memberships, together with donations from members and the public. The charity also charges a fee for local groups to be included under the cover of its insurance policy and a portion of the annual insurance fee is covered by this income.
## **Principal Risks**
Possible future decline in income from memberships is a concern which has arisen in previous years, but buoyant membership uptake shows promise for future years. Trustees remain vigilant to the possibility of the effects of increasing inflation and membership numbers falling in the future.
## **Reserves**
The charity currently holds reserves amounting to approximately three years’ expenditure. The trustees consider this to be more than adequate. Trustees maintain awareness of the need to comply with Charity regulations by using funds toward service provision and not holding an excess in reserve.
## **Going concern**
The charity’s financial position remains secure with no uncertainty about remaining a going concern.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Constitution**
Education Otherwise Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is not linked with any other organisation.
## **Membership**
Membership is by annual subscription and is open to individuals and organisations involved with, or having an interest, in home education. Voting rights have been opened to all members upon application in order to increase our democratic approach to governance.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
Trustees are recruited from members who have requisite skills and abilities to support the charity today and into the future. All trustees must be registered members of the charity at the time of appointment. Potential trustees are proposed to the AGM. Trustees are appointed for a term of four years, although they may be coopted between AGMs. Co-opted trustees must stand down, or stand for election, at the following AGM. A permanent trusteeship can be awarded to one long standing
3
and experienced trustee. This post is currently held by Dr Fe Mukwamba-Sendall as charity President.
There is a stringent interview procedure in place to ensure that potential trustees meet eligibility criteria before being proposed for election or co-opted.
## **Trustee Induction and Training**
New trustees are provided with information about their role and responsibilities as Trustees via the Trustee handbook, trustee forum and remote meetings.
## **Trustee Associate Role**
Trustee associates support trustees in their respective roles and responsibilities. The position of Trustee associates underpins the charity’s succession plans.
## **Reference and Administration**
Trustees for the period 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024
## **Joined during the period**
- Katie Cox (Was Baines) (Co-opted 24th February 2024)
- Kate Mandrill (Co-opted 26[th] May 2024)
- Lucca Campbell (Co-opted 26[th] May 2024)
## **Continuing in post throughout the period**
- F. Mukwamba-Sendall (appointed 1[st] December 2012)
- W. Charles-Warner (Co-opted September 2019. Confirmed 12[th] October 2019)
- A. Neil (Co-opted September 2019. Confirmed 12[th] October 2019)
- Helena Wilson (Co-opted 15[th] October 2020, confirmed at AGM 16[th] October 2020)
- Merlyn Wright (Co-opted 29[th] July 2022)
- Rebecca Silverwood (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021)
- Gary Campbell (Co-opted 10th June 2023, confirmed at AGM 30[th] September 2023)
- Katie Cousins (Co-opted 7th March 2023, confirmed at AGM 30th September 2023).
## **Resignations during this period**
- Catherine (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021, resigned 30[th] September 2023)
- John Yates (Co-opted 11th August 2021, Confirmed at AGM 20th September 2021, resigned 20[th] March 2024 )
**Trustees’ responsibilities for the preparation of the financial statements** The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting standards.
- In preparing those statements, the trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities SORP.
## **Declarations**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above
4
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall, Wendy Charles-Warner, Dr Ambroz Neil, Helena Wilson, Merlyn Wright, Gary Campbell, Katie Cousins, Rebecca Silverwood, Katie Cox, Lucca Campbell and Katie Mandrill.
31[st] August 2024
## **Financial report**
Education Otherwise Association Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 30[th] June 2024
|
ending 30thJune 2024|||
|---|---|---|
||2024 in £|2023 in £|
|**Income and Endowments**|||
|Membership and donations|24,418|18,834|
|Investment income|1,050|314|
|Other income|0|3,000|
|Total income|**25,468**|**22,148**|
||||
|**Expenditure**|||
|Charitable activities|17,903|8,584|
|Other|5,718|2,158|
|Total Expenditure|**23,621**|**10,742**|
||||
|Net Movement in Funds|1,847|11,406|
||||
|**Reconciliation of funds**|||
|Total funds brought forward|57,174|45,768|
|Net movement in the year|4,819|11,406|
|Total funds carried forward|**61,993**|**57,174**|
## **Expenditure**
|Expenditure on raising funds|0|
|---|---|
|Other expenditure|5,718|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|17,903|
|Total expenditure value in grants to institutions|0|
|Governance costs|0|
|||
|Other recognised gains and losses|0|
|||
|**Assets**||
|Total fxed assets|0|
5
|Total current assets (cash in bank)|**61,993**|
|---|---|
|||
|**Liabilities**|0|
|Total net assets|**61,993**|
|Unrestricted funds|**61,993**|
6
CHARITY COMMISSIO
FOR ENGLAND AND WALE
Indopndent examiners
report on the accounts
Se¢tion A
Independent ExamFner's Rewt
Report to th• trust•
memb•r5 of
EDUCATION OTHERMSE ASSCKIATION
On accounts for the year
end•d
Charity no
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1055120
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aTity (Ihe Trusf) for the year erKknJ 31YIJ612024.
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ut under tIOn 145 of Ihe 2011 PLt aThJ in carrying out my
examinatKJn. I have folloAEd the applicable Directions given by the
Charty Commission under sec*ton 145{5){b) of the Ad.
I have completed my eXaminatit. l o)nfimi that no material mattÈrs
have come to my attentn in (y)nne(*h)n the eXaMinatn vthith
gives me cause to believe that in, any material resFed.'
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