DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" AUGUST 2024 Registered in England. Cornpany No: 3424289 Registered Charity No: 1064183 DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 STATUS AND ADMINISTRATION The School is an independent registered charity number 1064183 and a company limited by guarantee with regisiered number 3424289. GOVERNORS The Board of Governors are the members of the company. They are also directors of the company under company law and trustees of the charity under charity law. Those serving during the period to the date of this report are as follows.. Mr R.A.Brocksorn (Chair) Mr A.R.W.Balls Mrs J.S.Cropper Mr S.M. Dallyn Mrs J.Hendriksen Mr D.M. Jack Mrs P.M.McKenna Mrs C.A. Wilson Mr A.B. Bond KEY EXECUTIVES AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS HEAD Mrs S.l. Knox MEd, MBA, BA (Hons) FINANCE MANAGER Mr N. Tearle BA (Hons), Chartered Management Accountant {ACMA) COMPANY SECRETARY Mr K. Stacey PRINCIPAL ADDRESS & REGISTERED OFFICE Duke of Kent School Peaslake Road Ewhurst Surrey GU6 7NS BANKERS Lloyds Bank pl 2 City Place Gatwick West Sussex RH6 OPA AUDITORS Alliotts LLP Statutory Auditor and Chartered Accountants 3 London Square Cross Lanes Guildford, Surrey GUI IUJ DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL GOVERNORS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 The Board of Governors present their Annual Report for the year ended J l August 2023 toaether with the audited financial statements for the year, and confimi that they cornply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the cornpany's Croverninq document and the provisions of the Charities Statement of RecornTnended Practice (Charities SORP) 'Accounting and reporting by Charities" applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective January 2019. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document The cornpany is governed by its Mernorandum and Articles of Association. Governance The Governors are elected at a full Governors, meeting and are selected on the basis of their expertise and experience. The Govemors deterniine the general policy of the School. The day to day manaaement of the School is delegated to the Head, the Bursar and the Finance Manager who report either directly to the Govemin(> Body or through sub- committees covering specific areas such as Finance and Property. Education, IT. Marketing, esafety and Health & Safety. These are chaired by members of the Governing body or Senior Management. Governors, training New Governors are familiarised with the organisation and structure of the School. This programme includes knowledge of the School's policies and safeouarding trdining. Governors and Head Duke of Kent School is fortunate to be served by a board of dedicated and enthusiastic Governors with a wide rancre of experience, expertise and talent. Governors help to shape d¢v¢loprnent strategy, advise and support the Head. scrutinise policies and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, taking an infom)ed interest in the work of the School. In addition to the four Goveming Body meetings that normally take place each year, Govemors serve on sub-committees including Finance, Education, IT, Marketing, esafety and Health & Safety. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The School aims to teach pupils to be positive, compassionate and constructive members of their local and globa] community, ready to face the challenues of the future, and to provide thern with opportunities for teaTnwork, leadership, service and rnoral development. Up to July ?014, the School provided both boarding and day education for boys and (rirls in the age range three to sixteen. All boarding ceased at the School from then and the School, from the Autumn term 2014. became a day school only on an Extended Day model. As a legacy of boarding, the School provides a full and extensive pro.oramme of educational activities beyond the core school day from 7.30am to 7.JOpm, five days per week. Ethos and Strategic Aims. The School exists to provide a safe, happy environment in which children can enjoy a high quality education. This education is to be both sufficiently adaptable to address the needs of each individual child and sufficiently wide ranging to challenge and develop a broad spread of talents and abilities Within each child. Objectives for the year The Board's main objective continued to be the education of all the School's pupils to enable them to proceed to their next school or sixth fomi college of choice. to develop their academic and social skills to their full potential. Ernployability is a key focus, with attention given to fostering positive character traits, habits and skills in order to enable our pupils to enjoy a productive and fulfillino life. The strategy for achieving this is to maintain a high te2cher- to-pupil ratio, pursue a growth rnindset, and a balance of challenge and support as required by each pupil. DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL GOVERNORS, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Principal activity The principal activity is the provision of a co-educational Extended Day School serving the Surrey and West Sussex area. GIUNT MAKING AND BURSARIES The Governors view bursary awards as important in helping to ensure that children whose parents would otherwise not be able to afford the fees can access or contlDue with the education offered by the School. Bursaries can be made available for new entrants, to facilitate access or, more obviously, to current pupils, to facilitate educational continuity when deteriorating family circumstances dictate. In making awards a number of factors are taken into consideration including educational continuity, family income, assets, investments, savings and other individual circumstances. The School does not have endowments and in funding awards a very careful balance has to be struck between ￿11 fee- paying parents, many of whom make considerable personal sacrifices to fund their children's education, and those benefiting from the awards. RISK MANAGEMENT The Board of Governor5 is responsible for the managemeni of risks faced by the School. Risks such as those relating to safeguarding, health and safety or the School's finances are identified and assessed with controls applied to mitigate risk. A fornial risk review is undertaken annually and any perceived vulnerabilities addressed. Controls used by the School include comprehensive strategic planning, an established organisational structure and lines of reporting, hierarchical authorisation and approval levels, formal written policies and risk assessments and terms of reference for Governors. Through the risk management process established for the School. the Governors are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately mitigated where possible. It is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurances that major risks have been adequately managed. RESERVES As stated in Notes 12 and 13 to the accounts, the reserves are split between those restricted to specific purposes and those available for the day to day requirements of the School. The reserves policy of the School is to continue building up reserves out of annual operating surpluses until a suitable level of free reserves is obtained. The policy is that two months, expenditure would be practicable and achievable iii order to Cover the risks and uncertainties of operating as an independent educational establishment. It IS Possible however that free reserve5 will need to be used prior to reaching the recommended level in order to satisfy the demands of further capital expenditure so that the School can be equipped with the up to date facilities needed to maintain the standards of educatlDnal services currently provided. In common with most independent schools, the School has negative free reserves (£288,500) as the Governors have continued to reinvest surpluses into the School properties. INVESTMENT POLICY The School's policy is, when appropriate, to retain core cash balances on tenn deposit accounts. PUBLIC BENEFIT The Governors have complied with the duty under Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission. REVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR Strong local demand and excellent retention have ensured that pupil nun]bers have continued to remain Strong at Duke of Kent School this year. As of Septernber 2024, there are 321 children on roll, with a number of year groups operating at capacity- The School continues to provide an excellent education for its pupils across a broad academic range, with a focus on the needs of each individua] and the importance of personal development. DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL GOVERNORS, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 The School inspected by ISI (the Independent Schools, Inspectorate) in January 2023. We were delighted to achieve full Comp￿ianCe in all areas. There were many positive comments in the report such as. the school ethos is one which encourages pupi15 to work hard and to enjoy school life. Teaching and learning are combined with effective pastoral care which supports pupils to make good progress." This is a particularly pleasing achievement and a welcome extemal validation of the School's operations and perfomianee. The School is committed to breadth of education and therefore greatly values the contribution of Sport and Perforniing & Creative Arts to our pupils, developtnent, in addition to the core subjects studied. Wellbeing and prornoting the welfare of our pupils in the broadest sense remains our priority and our Wellbeing Manager runs a full range of activities to ensure full support to our pupils in this important area. As a ￿rther means of developing pupils beyond the classroom, the School enjoys exceptionally high rates of uptake in its Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and pupils enter many competitions such as the Rotary Debatino as well as Public Speaking and SATRO which increases our pupils, understandinu of science and technology in meeting the challenges of the future. IT is embedded into the curriculum and pupils have access to iPads or Chromebooks as well as a bespoke Computer Science classroom. Community Engagement programmes are at the very heart of what we do and, during our Community Service week, every pupil in the Senior School, engages with a COTnrnunity service activity. Our community links are strontr and, this year, we host coding workshops, cricket competitions and a girls, football festival with neighbouring schools. Facilities at the School are outstanding. Two state of the art Science laboratories provide a stirnulatino and engaging environment for students from Years 3 to I I to pursue the ever increasing range of enriching science opportunities. The installation of the All-weather sports pitch. supplemented by major changing room improvements, has si.tynificantly enhanced sportinv options especially during the winter months. Local sports clubs also benefit from the hiring opportunities that these facilities offer. Outdoor Learning forms an integral part of our curriculum and the pupils benefit significantly from our Stronv relationship with Surrey Wildlife Trust. GCSE results were outstanding again this year. Our Year I I s achieved an overall GCSE pass rate of 990/0. With a commendable 81 /0 of our pupils Craining at least one grade 7 or above. Indeed. over half of all the grades awarded were a grade 7, 8 or 9. The cohort average across all subjects was a grade 7, with gade 9 making up 13 % of the total. This is a truly fantastic achievement. Upon leaving, our pupils continue their education at a range of independent schools and excellent local sixth fom) colleges. Indeed, this year, each one of our pupils gained entry to their first choice of school or colletre. This year. we launched our Strategic Development Plan which Charts our Course frorn 2024 - 2030. The plan clearly articulates our vision. ambitious aims and strateaic pillars for the future framed within four key areas namely.. Our Pupils. Our Staff, Our Learning, Our Community and Our Environment and identifies the projects which will be the focus for the year. We are genuinely excited for the future. FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR The results for the year under review show total incoming resources of £6,268,226 {2023-. £5,564,122) and a related deficit of £62,109 (202J.' surplus of £1 1,478). Unrestricted funds carried forward amount to £1,014.753 whilst restricted funds carried forward total £1 8,1 J4. Cash held by the School shows an increase of £416.560 over the balance at the previous year end. COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND ACCESS The school actively cultivates strong connections with the local community, recognising its pivotal role in the educational journey of its pupils. With the majority of pupils hailing from the immediate vicinity. the school embraces the responsibility of imparting a Sound understanding of the local geography, people, history, culture. and traditions. This vibrant locale is viewed as a rich educational resource, seamlessly integrated into the curriculum and various clubs and extracurricular activities. Notably, the school opens its doors and extensive grounds to local organisations, clubs. and assoeiations. often waivinu fees entirely or charoints a nominal amount. For instance, it has hosted the AGMS of the Friends of the Hurtwood and provided cornplirnentary access to local children's football and cricket clubs. DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL GOVERNORS, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Member5 of the local comrnunily are valued as educational assets, frequently invited to the school as visiting speakers, authors, and educlltional practitioners. Moreover, the school actively engages With the local area through a myriad of initiatives, such as historical site visits, collaborations with local charities like Cranleigh Rotary, community concerts, trips to local rnuseums and public spaces, and projects centred around local themes, such as architectural sketching in the local high street. In the wake of reduced interaction during the lockdown. the school seized the opportunity to reassess and strengthen existing community ties while fostering new ones. This commitment is prominently featured in the school's Development Plan and has been diligently acted upon throughout the year. The school has intensified its collaborations with other local schools, inviting them on educational trips, masterclasses, workshops, sporting events and competitions. This included a shared Art trip to The Sculpture Garden in Famham, a stimulating Computer Science Coding COTnpetition and a Cricket Skills workshop. A significant development is the establishment of a dedicated Community Week, which, having now run for 2 years, is embedded in the school calendar. Here pupils devote half a day to various charitable activities, including assisting at Sayers Croft, working alongside local rangers in The Hurtwood, supporting local caregiving charities, and engaging with staff and volunteers at local nature reserves such as Knowle Park. This initiative has been recognised as 'High Commended, by the ISA for the school's outstanding community contributions during the academic year 2022-23. The school is steadfastly ¢omrnitted to expanding and enhancing this impactful project in the future. VOLUNTEERS The School continues to benefit from a thriving and very active Parents, Association, PADOK. which, during the year, raised funds through social functions for the purchasing of school equipment to the value of £9,472. FUTURE PLANS Whilst The School continues to plan for the implementation of VAT on fees from 111125, the School aims to continue to enhance its facilities and curriculum across the entire age range (Nursery to Year I l ) and to improve the extended weekday provision of an enriching, balanced and stimulating education for all pupils. keeping our focus on meeting the needs of each individual. The Head and Governors continue to carefully eonsider development opportunities consistent with the aims and ethos of the School. PAY POLICY FOR SENIOR STAFF The Governors consider the Board of Govemors , the Head and the Senior Leadership Team cornprise the key personnel in charge of directing and controlling the School. All Governors give their time freely and no Governor received any remuneration during the year, nor did they claim any expenses. The remuneration of senior staff is reviewed annually. The Governors are mindful of both national and local trends when conducting this exercise. GOVERNORS, RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINATr4CIAL STATEMENTS The Governors are responsible for preparing the Governors, report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The purpose of this stateTnent is io distinguish the Governors, responsibilities for the accounts from those of the auditors as stated in their report. Company law requires the Govemors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Governors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incorning resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable cornpany for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL GOVERNORS, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Governors are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any rnaterial departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements- and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Governor5 are responsible for keeping adequate accounting reeord5 that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardinu the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Governor5 are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial infomiation included on the eharitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR Eaeh of the persons who are Govemors at the time when this Governors, report is approved has confinned that= so far as that Governor is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware, and he or she has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Governor in orderto be aware of any inforniation needed by the charitable company's auditors in connection with preparing their Annual Report and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information. In preparing this report. the Governors have taken advantage of the small cornpanies, exemptions provided by Section 415A of the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the Board of Governors at its rneeting on 17 June 2025 and signed on its behalf. r R.A.Brocksom Chair of the Governors REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Duke of Kent School for the year ended 31 Sl August 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activitie5, the Balance Sheet, the Statemeiit of Cash Flows and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102. The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial staternents.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31" August 2024 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended: have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinio We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard. and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirernents. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Governors, use of the going concem basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the fsnancial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Govemors with respect to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other information The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Governors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other infonnation and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other inforn)ation and, in doing so, consider whether the other infom)ation is matei'ially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material ineonsisrencies or apparent marerial misstaiements, we are required to detemiine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have perfomied. we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other nfomiation, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in thi5 r¢gard. REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL (continued) Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit- the information triven in the Govemors, report. which includes the Directors, report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and the Direetors, Report incorporated within the Govemors, Report hLs been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the light of the knowled(re and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors, Report included within the Governors, Report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion= adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not Visited by us- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. certain disclosures of Governors, remuneration specified by law are noi made. we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or the Governors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies, regime and take advantaoe of the small companies exemptions in preparing the Directors, Report and frorn the requirement to prepare a Strateoic Report. Responsibilities of Governors As explained more fully in the Governors Responsibilities Statement set out on page 5, the Govemors (who are also the directors of the charitable cornpany for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. and for such internal control as the Govemors detern)ine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements. the Governors are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a (roing concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concem and usiniy the goin