LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
(FORMERLY LANCASTER STEINER SCHOOL) TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Charity registration number: 1066821 Registered company number (England and Wales): 03364291
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Charity Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 2 to 3 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 13 |
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
CHARITY REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 |
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 |
|---|---|
| _______________ | |
| Charity registration number | 1066821 |
| Registered company number | 03364291 (England and Wales) |
| Trustees | G Cani |
| D J Barton | |
| S A Cadwallender | |
| M G Gallastegu | |
| Registered office | Lancaster Independent School for Alternative |
| Learning | |
| Lune Road | |
| Lancaster | |
| LA1 6QU | |
| Independent Examiner | Christine Harwood ACMA |
| Accounts Matters Ltd | |
| White Cross | |
| South Road | |
| Lancaster | |
| LA1 4XQ | |
| Bankers | CAF |
| 25 Kings Hill Avenue | |
| West Malling | |
| Kent | |
| ME19 4JQ |
1
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
____________
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2022).
Incorporation
The charitable company was incorporated on 1 May 1997 and commenced trading on the same date. The charitable company passed a special resolution on 26 May 2017 changing its name from Cherrytrees Kindergarten to Lancaster Steiner School Ltd. The charitable company passed a special resolution on 31 October 2023 changing its name from Lancaster Steiner School Ltd to Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning Ltd, this is abbreviated to LISAL.
Objects and activities
The school’s aim is to provide an inspirational education for all, that will enable children to have a full experience of childhood, which can nourish and develop their innate capabilities, helping to create people who are responsible free individuals, who think clearly, observe perceptively and act considerately and constructively.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Governors have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging.
Our principal aims are:
-
A nurturing learning environment that values the individual needs of the children and supports their emotional development
-
A broad and integrated curriculum that encourages sustained engagement in education for life.
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A key focus on social and emotional development of the pupils.
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A creative curriculum and responsive teaching which supports pupils’ innate capacities for wonder and imagination.
Public benefit
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning Ltd is a charitable trust which seeks to benefit the public through the pursuit of its stated aims. Our fees are set at a level to ensure the financial viability of the school. Our Fee Assistance Scheme ensures that as many families as we can reasonably award reductions to are able to access the education the school offers.
Our school welcomes pupils from all backgrounds. An individual’s economic status, gender, ethnicity, race, religion or disability do not form part of our assessment process.
We are an equal opportunity organisation and are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy/maternity, age or marital/civil partnership status. We will made reasonable adjustments to meet the need of staff or pupils who become disabled.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
2
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
____________
Achievements and performance
Charitable activities
In 2023-2024 the school had 13 pupils, there were 19 in the year before.
Objectives of the year
The school has reduced its cost base during the financial year to match the smaller pupil numbers. The decision was made to keep the school small in the next financial year so that the fee income for the school was below the VAT limit for school year 2024-25. This is to give the parents of the existing pupil cohort a full 12 month period to prepare for the 20% VAT we will need to levy on fees once the school has to register.
Financial review
The charity’s major source of income is school fees.
Reserves policy
The charity has a reserves policy which is to strive to maintain balances at a level equivalent to approximately three months’ expenditure (set at £30,000 for 23/24). This is reviewed annually and adjusted for increases in costs. Free reserves at the year-end were £34,173 (2023: £13,687), which is at the recommended amount.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 1 May 1997 and registered as a company on 1 May 1997. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Trustees are recruited from parents and friends of Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning. Potential trustees are proposed to the AGM for membership of Council. Trustees can be co-opted between AGMs if numbers on Council fall below the required level but must either stand down or stand for election at the next AGM. A third of elected trustees are required to stand down by rotation at each AGM.
Organisational structure
The organisation consists of a senior governance team made up of the company trustees and representatives of staff.
The trustees conduct an ongoing review of the major tasks in which the charity is involved and reviews the systems in place to mitigate any risks involved. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation for all transactions and external risks by secure investment.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees are provided with an information pack and induction about their role and responsibilities as Trustees and Company Directors.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies,
Approved by order of the board of trustees on _ 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Gabriella Cani, Trustee
3
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
_______________
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 13.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Christine Harwood ACMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Accounts Matters Ltd 3-2-1 Storey House White Cross South Road Lancaster LA1 4XQ
4
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
_______________
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies Activities for generating funds: Education Investment income 2 Grant income 3 Other income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Costs of generating funds: Other trading activities Charitable activities: 5 Education Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total £ £ £ 7,041 6,429 13,470 83,724 - 83,724 4,674 - 4,674 - 3,441 - 3,441 98,880 6,429 105,309 - - - 83,479 6,429 89,908 83,479 6,429 89,908 15,401 - 15,401 18,772 99 18,871 34,173 99 34,272 |
2023 Total £ 840 136,870 6,539 279 428 |
|---|---|---|
| 144,956 78 149,843 |
||
| 149,921 | ||
| (4,966) 23,837 |
||
| 18,871 |
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities and all gains and losses recognised during the year are included above.
5
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Current assets Stocks 12 Debtors 13 Cash and bank Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 14 Funds 15 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds £ £ 4,322 - 500 - 621 - 35,154 99 |
Total £ 4,322 500 621 35,253 40,696 (6,424) 34,272 34,173 99 34,272 |
2023 Total £ 5,086 500 3,338 15,818 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40,597 99 (6,424) |
24,742 (5,870) |
||
| 34,173 99 |
18,872 | ||
| 18,773 99 |
|||
| 18,872 |
-
i) the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies;
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ii) the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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iii) the directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
25 Jun 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on ____.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees G Cani __ Gabi Cani - Trustee
The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
6
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
General information and basis of preparation
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 2 of these financial statements.
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2021)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland': • the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
Income
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustee’s meetings and reimbursed expenses.
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LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life:
Computer equipment
Straight line over 3 years
Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings 15% reducing balance
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the note to the financial statements.
2 Investment income
| Bank interest received Rents received 3 Grants received Lancaster City Council 4 Other trading activities Fundraising Shop income After School Club |
2024 £ 490 4,184 4,674 2024 £ - - 2024 £ 3,407 34 - 3,441 |
2023 £ 222 6,317 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,539 | ||
| 2023 £ 279 |
||
| 279 | ||
| 2023 £ 28 78 322 |
||
| 428 |
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LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 5 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Charitable activities 2024 Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities 2024 2024 £ £ Education 89,248 - Charitable activities 2023 Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities 2023 2023 £ £ Education 149,063 - 6 Allocation of support costs Support costs 2024 Education £ 2024 Governance: Examiner fees 660 Support costs 2023 Education £ 2023 Governance: Examiner fees 780 7 Governance costs Independent examiners remuneration (including expenses and benefits in kind) |
5 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Charitable activities 2024 Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities 2024 2024 £ £ Education 89,248 - Charitable activities 2023 Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities 2023 2023 £ £ Education 149,063 - 6 Allocation of support costs Support costs 2024 Education £ 2024 Governance: Examiner fees 660 Support costs 2023 Education £ 2023 Governance: Examiner fees 780 7 Governance costs Independent examiners remuneration (including expenses and benefits in kind) |
Support costs 2024 £ 660 |
Support costs 2024 £ 660 |
Total 2024 £ 89,908 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities undertaken directly Grant funding of activities 2023 2023 £ £ 149,063 - |
Support costs 2023 £ 780 |
Total 2023 £ 149,843 |
||
| Total £ 2024 660 Total £ 2023 780 2024 £ 660 660 |
Total £ 2024 660 |
2023 £ 780 |
||
| Total £ 2023 780 |
||||
| 780 |
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LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 8 Net income / (expenditure) for the year Net income / (expenditure) is stated after charging / (crediting): 2024 £ Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 763 9 Trustees’ remuneration and benefits There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2024. Trustees’ expenses There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2024. 10 Staff costs and employee benefits The average monthly number of employees was as follows: 2024 Charitable activities 8 The total staff costs and employee benefits were as follows: 2024 £ Wages and pensions 65,809 65,809 |
2023 £ 929 |
|---|---|
| 2023 10 2023 £ 121,910 |
|
| 121,910 |
No employees received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000.
10
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
11 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation: At 1 September 2023 Additions At 31 August 2024 Depreciation: At 1 September 2023 Charge for the year At 31 August 2024 Net book value: At 31 August 2024 At 31 August 2023 12 Stocks Stocks 13 Debtors Trade debtors 14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals Social security and other taxes Deferred fees Pension |
Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings Computer Equipment £ |
Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings Computer Equipment £ |
Total £ |
2023 £ 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,762 2,189 |
9,951 | |||
| 2,676 2,189 763 |
4,865 763 |
|||
| 3,439 | - | 5,628 | ||
| 4,323 | - | 4,323 | ||
| 5,086 | - | 5,086 | ||
| 2024 £ 500 2024 £ 621 2024 £ 600 309 5,341 174 6,424 |
||||
| 2023 £ 3,338 |
||||
| 2023 £ 600 619 4,344 308 |
||||
| 5,870 |
11
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
15 Movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted Funds Sports fund et movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted Funds Sports fund TA fund TOTAL FUNDS ovement in funds (comparative) Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted Funds Sports fund et movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted Funds Sports fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Balance at 1st September 2023 Net movement in funds Balance at 31 August 2024 £ £ £ 18,772 15,401 34,173 99 - 99 |
|---|---|
| 18,871 15,401 34,272 |
|
| Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ £ 98,880 83,479 15,401 - - - 6,429 6,429 - |
|
| 105,309 89,908 15,401 |
|
| Balance at 1st September 2022 Net movement in funds Balance at 31 August 2023 £ £ £ 23,738 (4,966) 18,772 99 - 99 |
|
| 23,837 (4,966) 18,871 |
|
| Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds £ £ £ 144,956 (149,921) (4,966) - - - |
|
| 144,956 (149,921) (4,966) |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Movement in funds (comparative)
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
12
LANCASTER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING LTD (Company number 03364291)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
16 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2024.
13
Issuer
Accounts Matters Limited
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