**Friends of West Ashtead** **Presented at the Annual General Meeting on October 20th 2025 West Ashtead Primary Academy Taleworth Rd, Ashtead KT21 2PX** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** ## **For the period 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025** ## **Aim (Object) of the Charity** The aim of the Friends of West Ashtead (FOWA) is to advance the education of pupils at West Ashtead Primary School. In planning the activities of the FOWA Charity for the year the Trustees and Committee kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The focus of the activities of the FOWA remains to fundraise to support the education experience of the pupils at the school, either through funding facilities, workshops or providing equipment. Decisions on where the funds raised by FOWA are to be used are taken in consultation with the Head teacher and the committee. The FOWA committee is made up of parents and guardians who attend regular FOWA meetings. These meetings are open to all parents and guardians. A fantastic contribution is made to the charity by a small group of very committed volunteer members. We are grateful for the many hours these volunteers have spent supporting the work of the FOWA in meeting its aim. This group includes the Class Reps and Committee Members and other Parents and guardians all of whom attend regular FOWA meetings. ## **Trustees** Chair Laura-Jane Fowler Vice-Chair Lynda Gibson Treasurer James Balcombe All Trustees give their time voluntarily and do not receive any remuneration or other benefits. The FOWA operates within the guidelines of the national confederation of Parent Teacher Associations of which it is a member (membership number 21274). The FOWA has Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance to cover its meetings, activities, Officers and Volunteers. 1 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 FOWA delivered a calendar of seasonal events and fundraising activities throughout 2024/25 with the aim of bringing families together, helping build a social community and to create wonderful school memories for the children of the school. - Firework Night - Christmas Fair & Raffle - Christmas Tree Sale - Christmas Disco - Circus - Family Quiz Night - Silent Disco - 3 Mufti Days and Break the Rules Day - 4 Author visits - Ice Cream Sales - Easter Smarties Challenge - School Class Photos Fundraiser - 2nd Hand Uniform Sales - Year 6 leavers - FOWA Lottery A summary of the funds raised in 2024/25 is shown in the attached accounts, and an independent auditor will be appointed to examine the full set of annual accounts. ## **Serious Incidents** Nil return of serious incidents. ## **FOWA Responsibilities as a Charity** The charitable status of the FOWA confers certain responsibilities upon the charity and the Trustees. As a charity with an income of between £25,001-£500,000 FOWA are required to submit an Annual Return, comprising an Annual Report and reviewed annual accounts. Since April 2009 as a charity with an income above £25,000 per annum the FOWA are also now required to report on any Serious Incidents. There are no Serious Incidents to report from the past year. ## **Treasurer’s Report** The income raised less expenditure from this year’s fundraising was £11,959. There were Charity expenses of £254 including bank charges of £92 and £162 for insurance (our Parent Kind membership). 2 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 FOWA’s key fund-raising event’s included Fireworks raising £4.1k, Christmas Fair & Trees also raising £4.1k and the Circus and YR5 led summer fair which raised £4k. Outside of this there were many revenue streams organised and supported by parents which drove considerable contribution. During the year FOWA funded new books for the library costing £1,076 and ‘most’ of the school Bee and Pond workshops costing £1,550. Additionally, FOWA partially funded a number of workshops and trips, Christmas Disco, a Silent Disco and author visits from Sufiya Ahmed, Alex Field, Ally Sherrick and Ana McLaughlin. James Balcombe ACMA - Treasurer ## **Appointment of Independent Examiner of Accounts** We have again appointed Robert Gidney an Independent Examiner of Accounts for Year Ending August 2025. ## **Future Plans** FOWA remains dedicated to being a central charitable and community group, committed to enhancing the educational experience of children at West Ashtead. Our mission is to bring families together through memorable events and activities that leave lasting, cherished memories for the children. Looking ahead, we plan to continue co-funding year group educational workshops, ensuring these enriching experiences remain accessible to all. We are also exploring new fundraising projects including sound equipment and improvements that will benefit the children. We continue to invite ideas from Leo Academy, teachers, and children to guide our efforts in making a meaningful impact on the wellbeing and educational experience of future generations at West Ashtead. A real focus is working closely with the community including collaborating with other schools, local business and other community groups so we can help each other. We are excited to work collaboratively as we bring these ideas to life and continue to support our vibrant school community. ## **Trustees Report** FOWA has had another amazing year both in the joy and inspiration we can provide to pupils and fundraising activity. Thanks to great support from parents and the local community we were able to run x3 large events which everyone enjoyed creating memories for everyone that attended. We were able to bring back Happy’s Circus for a second time, which is an incredible achievement given the size of the school and while very hot, the day was a huge success. Thankyou to the core team of volunteers, parents that give time to support events both on the day and behind the scenes, the teaching team and Sarah Wells the principal. 3 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 I'm delighted to report that FOWA successfully achieved the goals outlined in last year's AGM. While Leo Academy leads on essential infrastructure improvements, FOWA has concentrated on fundraising to expand educational workshops. These include engaging collaborations with authors, nature workshops, theatre trips and trips exploring captivating historical topics. More workshops, trips and author visits occurred this school year than at any point in recent memory. However, while FOWA has had a great year, it is with considerable sadness that our current Chair Laura-Jane Fowler has had to step away from FOWA. The whole team, parents and school would like to thank her for her significant contributions to the smooth running of FOWA and the impact it has on our children. All the best Laura-Jane. I have agreed to support FOWA for the next year with the excellent support of Lynda Gibson who will transition from Deputy Chair to Treasurer. ## **James Balcombe** ## **Interim FOWA Chair** 4 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 ## **Accounts 2024/25 Income Statement** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Event Income Expenses Accruals prepayment Net Profit
Fireworks 2024 7,365 (2,548) (688) 4,129
Cake Sale 188 188
Mufti Split 102 102
Mufti Split 90 90
Mufti MAY 158 158
Mufti 118 118
Christmas - Year 6 Games 439 (86) 353
Christmas - Foto shoot YR6 567 567
Elfridges - yr 6 379 379
Vendors 425 425
Christmas Raffle 556 556
Christmas Bottle Tombola 195 195
Christmas Busy books 1,044 (691) 353
Christmas - Token Stall & Café 735 735
Christmans Café 0 (104) (104)
Christmas Trees 1,723 (1,069) 654
Suifya Ahmed (Author Visit) 147 (712) (565)
Alex field (Author visit) 16 (18) (2)
Ally Sherrick (Author visit) 85 (86) (1)
Ana (Author Visit) 65 (67) (2)
Mel Taylor Bessent (Author visit) 0 (180) 180 0
Junior/Infant Christmas disco 240 (461) (221)
Quiz Night 514 (336) 178
Icecreams 726 (125) 601
Smarties 283 (84) 199
Silent Disco May HT 1,263 (865) 397
Circus 8,053 (4,465) (306) 3,282
Bottle Tombola 123 123
Summer Fair 703 (124) 579
School Sports day 122 122
Class Photos - Summer 25 696 696
Unreconciled (30) (30)
Bank Charges 0 (92) (92)
Easy fundraising 548 548
Your School Lottery 378 378
TerraCycle UK Ltd 135 135
ASTRA RECYCLING LI 127 127
PARENTKIND ASDA Cashpot 125 125
Year 6 fundraising 572 572
Uniform sale 14 (15) (1)
Other 89 89
LEO Refund 168 168
Name tags 27 27
Year 6 Break the rules day 268 268
Year 6 Leavers costs 0 (4,461) (4,461)
Payment to scouts for 23/24 0 (135) 135 0
Parent Kind Insurance 0 (162) (162)
Petty Cash (13) (13)
Net Fundraising 29,523 (16,886) 315 (994) 11,959
**----- End of picture text -----**
5 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Funding £
Toys workshop - YR1 337
Greek day - YR5 485
Word War 2 Workshop - YR6 405
British Wildlife Centre Trip - YR2 595
River Trip - YR4 430
Butser Farm Trip - YR3 584
Living Rainforest Trip - YR4 398
Roman workshop YR4 337
Ocean VR workshop - YR2 165
Hobble Down (minibeasts) - YR1 388
Egyptian Workshop - YR3 341
River Trip - YR4 93
Bee workshop all school 1,025
Pond workshop all school 525
Hindu Temple - YR 5 225
Hampton Court Palace trip 455
Arundel Castle 465
Wisley - YR 1 293
Theatre Trip - RECEPTION 240
Weald and Down - YR3 465
Peer productions - YR6 125
Funding for library 1,076
Funding Allocated 9,449
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Balance Sheet** **Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2025, £** Bank Acounts Current A/C Deposit A/C ## **Current assets** Prepayments Accrued Income ## **Current liabilities** Accrued Expenses Funds B/F Income Less Expenditure Funding Balancing |**2025/24**
**2025/24**
16,695
0
16,696
572
17,268
940
-
16,328
13,818
11,959
9,449
16,328|**2023/24**
**2023/24**| |---|---| ||13,139
0
13,139
994| ||14,133
315
-| ||13,818
33,490
10,786
30,458| ||13,818| 6 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25 ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Friends of West Ashtead School** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the **Friends of West Ashtead School** (the Trust) for the year ended 31[st] August 2025. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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 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 respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have completed my work and confirmed that there are underlying accounting records. These are being kept and are reflected in the report. From my sampling approach and relying on the confirmation and representation I have received from the Treasurer I’m happy to agree that there are no material issues. Mr Robert Gidney 19 Acris street London Sw18 2QT Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS). 7 Friends of West Ashtead Registered Charity No. 1067628 Annual Report 2024/25