2025-03-31-accounts - St Francis School Fund (Lincoln)

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Lincoln Saints Federation St Francis Special School & St Christopher’s Special School

Operations Report – September 2025

Georgia Burrows, Head of Strategic Operations

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is to inform the governors of the strategic operations matters related to the Lincoln Saints Federation at this point in time (date above). The report will include the following:

at this point in time (date above). The report will include the following:
	Page
Budget Monitoring Period 5	2
Other Financial Matters  Devolved  Outreach  Pheasantry  School Fund  Scouts	2
Approvals	3
Asset Disposal	3
Human Resources  Recruitment & Retention  Attendance	4
GDPR & ICT	4
Premises, Health & Safety	5
Additional Information  LCC Scrutiny	6

Supporting Documents:

School Budget Forecast – SFR
Budget Analysis Main Budget – SFR
Budget Analysis Pheasantry - SFR
Budget Analysis Bursary – SFR
Budget Analysis PP LAC – SFR
Budget Analysis PP Post LAC - SFR 7. Budget Analysis PP Service – SFR
Budget Analysis Pupil Premium – SFR 9. Budget Analysis Sports – SFR 10. Budget Analysis UIFSM – SFR
Budget Analysis Vulnerable Bursary - SFR
School Budget Forecast – STC
Budget Analysis PP Post LAC - STC
Budget Analysis PP Service – STC
Budget Analysis Pupil Premium – STC
Budget Analysis Sports – STC
Budget Analysis UIFSM – STC
PD Financial report 2025/2026
School Fund Reconciliation – SFR
School Fund Reconciliation – STC
School Fund Certification – SFR
School Fund Notification – SFR
Scouts Reconciliation – STC
Projects Report – SFR
Budget Analysis Main Budget – STC 28. Projects Report - STC 14. Budget Analysis Bursary – STC 29. MTFP Proforma Letter (Schools Finance) SFR 15. Budget Analysis PP LAC – STC 30. MTFP Proforma Letter (Schools Finance) STC

– Budget Monitoring Period 5

Predicted spend for period 5 should be 41%

SFR – 54% see supporting documents 1 to 11 STC – 50% see supporting documents 12 to 20

Changes to budget since approval:

St Francis	St Christopher
Teacher Insurance reducton – overall reducton of £1,333.60 Support Staf insurance – agreed to remove admin, kept manual due to an expected maternity. Overall reducton of £4,597.75 Staf member released from supply early – corresponding reducton in supply costs In year adjustment less than predicted Maternity sickness insurance removed for one member of staf Income £11,812 for Asher Dube, ofset by expenditure in A44100 Member of staf death in service Liability insurance - greater than predicted Property insurance less than predicted Increase in supply costs - gaps temp to perm Trade union charges increased from 2024/2025 Natonal insurance grant - received, slightly greater than expected Pay grant received £339 per pupil	Teacher insurance STC – overall reducton in estmated by £3,860.47 Support staf insurance – agreed to remove admin and manual. Overall reducton of £5,102.55, however an increase of £4,777.82 due to an increase in staf Staf member released from supply early – corresponding reducton in supply costs Income from devolved journal for expenditure in 2024/2025 £4996.46 Member of staf reduced hours Liability insurance - greater than predicted Property insurance greater than predicted for STC Trade union charges increased from 2024/2025 Natonal insurance grant - received, slightly greater than expected Pay grant received £339 per pupil

St Francis

St Christopher

Teacher Insurance reducton – overall reducton of
£1,333.60
Support Staf insurance – agreed to remove
admin, kept manual due to an expected
maternity. Overall reducton of £4,597.75
Staf member released from supply early –
corresponding reducton in supply costs
In year adjustment less than predicted
Maternity sickness insurance removed for one
member of staf
Income £11,812 for Asher Dube, ofset by
expenditure in A44100
Member of staf death in service
Liability insurance - greater than predicted
Property insurance less than predicted
Increase in supply costs - gaps temp to perm
Trade union charges increased from 2024/2025
Natonal insurance grant - received, slightly
greater than expected
Pay grant received £339 per pupil

Teacher insurance STC – overall reducton in
estmated by £3,860.47
Support staf insurance – agreed to remove admin
and manual. Overall reducton of £5,102.55,
however an increase of £4,777.82 due to an
increase in staf
Staf member released from supply early –
corresponding reducton in supply costs
Income from devolved journal for expenditure in
2024/2025 £4996.46
Member of staf reduced hours
Liability insurance - greater than predicted
Property insurance greater than predicted for STC
Trade union charges increased from 2024/2025
Natonal insurance grant - received, slightly
greater than expected
Pay grant received £339 per pupil

Points to note:

Forecast budgets are yet to be uploaded to BW.
Supply costs at STC need to be closely monitored – expected to exceed approved budget.

Other Financial Maters

Devolved Capital

Devolved capital continues to be spent in line with government guidance.

Allocations will be received for 2025/2026 but are yet to be confirmed.

Outreach

See supporting document 21.

Due to the teacher pay rise and the increase in NI, the funding currently does not cover the expenditure required to run the service. The commissioning service team have been informed. The recommendation from the Commissioning Officer, Jenny Kane, was “Over the last 2 financial years the overspend has fluctuated, so the best solution is to continue to monitor through the coming financial year”. It has yet to be decided who is responsible for funding the dismissal through long term absence of one member of staff. Total cost £17,599.19.

Pheasantry

See supporting documents 1 and 4

Issues with NHS Lincolnshire have been resolved, however the issues with NHS Notts have not.

Income will be less than predicted due to changes in young adults.

School Fund

See supporting documents 22 and 23.

Current balances (02/09/2025) are as follows: SFR - £89,6253.82 STC - £53,442.16

SFR school fund will be used to remodel outdoor areas following the building project. STC school fund will be used to purchase outdoor equipment for both sites.

The accounts for STC have been audited – see supporting documents 24 and 25. The accounts for SFR will be audited this term.

Scouts

See supporting document 26

Current balance (02/09/2025) is £6,750.22

Funds are spent in line with the Scouts provision. Last academic year, purchases included a Scout hut and provide additional fencing. The accounts will be audited this term.

Finance Approvals

None at this meeting.

Asset Disposals

None at this meeting.

Human Resources

Recruitment & Retention

There are 15 new starters, total staff 186 at St Christopher and 168 at St Francis.

Since the end of term, there have been 2 resignations – one for teacher training and the other to train to be a social worker. As previously stated, staff turnover is not a concern.

During this term we will be recruiting a catering manager to over see the catering function across the federation with a few to making significant improvements.

The operations team has significantly decreased over the last 2 years (3.5 FTE staff) while the federation continues to expand along with their workload. A further administrator is required to support the HR and finance function. I would like to recommend that the IT Technician is made permanent to ensure stability and consideration given to a further premises/odd job person being employed following the expected retirement of another member of the team.

Attendance

The new academic year has started with 7 staff on maternity leave and 10 staff absent on the first day of term. Absenteeism of MDSA’s is having a significant impact at the primary site. Absence management procedures are being followed.

GDPR & IT

Zero SAR or FOI requests since the last meeting

We have successfully installed 35 brand new Windows 11 PCs, replacing non-compliant machines. With only a small number of laptops left to update, we are on track to have a fully compliant suite of Windows 11 devices across the federation ahead of the October deadline.

The installation of the new phone system, originally planned for the summer, has been rescheduled for October. This allows us to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to schools.

See supporting documents 25 and 26.

Premises and Health & Safety

See supporting documents 25 and 26.

Premises

At St Francis, Phase 3 of the refurbishment project has been completed and looks excellent. This puts us in a strong position to continue the wider redecoration and refresh programme. Phase 3 works included:

Refurbishment of three classrooms
Refurbishment of the middle school concourse
A brand-new Post-16 kitchen

 Installation of new canopies

In addition, the school has redecorated an extra classroom and office space. A major programme of firestopping works has also been carried out to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

At St Christopher’s Secondary, two classrooms in the Atrium block have been refurbished and are ready for September. Additional classroom fobs have also been installed to further strengthen site security.

Health & Safety

Over the summer, we have prioritised work to ensure full compliance with fire safety regulations following an inspection by Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue in May and a comprehensive fire risk assessment by N2E in July. Significant progress has been made, with 82% of the Fire Inspection Action Plan now completed and 42% of the Fire Risk Assessment actions already addressed. A follow-up meeting held on 1[st] September found us broadly compliant, with no follow up visit expected.

The fire risk assessment has been completed for St Francis.

Across all three schools, a new lockdown system has been installed, utilising the existing fire alarm sounders. This ensures we are fully prepared for the forthcoming legal requirement for schools to have lockdown systems in place.

Additonal Informaton

LCC Scrutiny

We continue to be scrutinised closely by LCC. School’s Finance visits have been completed with Sue Bainbridge. See supporting documents 27 and 28.

To support the Council in reviewing the baseline funding through its funding formula, the Council is asking special schools to complete a short data collection survey to support with this process.

CERTIFICATION SHEET

CERTIFICATION OF HEADTEACHER BALANCES STATEMENT	CERTIFICATION OF HEADTEACHER BALANCES STATEMENT
I certify that the above is a complete Bank Account(s) summary of the transactions of the School Fund for the year ending: 2024/2025 Cash in Hand JanetteKennedy Headteacher Total 15/10/2025 Date	£81,325.16
	£168.79
	£81,493.95
15/10/2025

CERTIFICATION OF CHAIROF GOVERNORS BALANCES STATEMENT	CERTIFICATION OF CHAIROF GOVERNORS BALANCES STATEMENT
I certify that the above is a complete Bank Account(s) summary of the transactions of the School Fund for the year ending: 2024/2025 Cash in Hand TraceyBowman Chair of Governors Total 15/10/2025 Date	£81,325.16
	£168.79
	£81,493.95
15/10/2025

AUDIT CERTIFICATE

I have examined the above income and expenditure statement	with all the books, vouchers and
other accounting records relating thereto and have obtained all	the information and explanations
I have required. I certify that in my belief the income and expenditure statement gives a true and
fair view of the income and expenditure for the period ending:	31.03.2024
according to the best of my information and to the explanations	given to me and shown by the
books of the School Fund.
Penny Gibson	School Fund Auditor
16.09.2025	Date

Certification

SCHFUND4.XLS

03/11/2025

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - EDUCATION & CULTURAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE

ANNUAL DECLARATION OF SCHOOL FUNDS

NOTIFICATION OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE SCHOOL FUND

COST CODE : S61000 SCHOOL NAME : St Francis Special School

This side of the form must be completed by every school whether a school fund exists or not.

TYPE: FINANCIAL YEAR: 2024-2025

DECLARATION BY THE HEADTEACHER

I confirm that I have got a school fund. (If you have a school fund please complete section 2).

I certify that the school fund has been maintained in accordance with the advice/ instructions given by the Director of Children's Services.

A copy of the audited statement of the fund has been passed to the Chairman of the Governors. A copy will not be displayed on the school noticeboard.

I confirm that it is a single comprehensive school fund. The title of the bank account is :

St Francis School Fund The TYPE is : FINANCIAL It is for the YEAR : 2024/2025

I have received and will adhere to the notes of guidance on the administration and audit of school funds issued by the Director of Children's Services (section E of the Finance Handbook).

The following information is a correct summary of the transactions during the accounting period:-

Balance brought forward as at Add Receipts during the accounting period Less Payments during the accounting period Balance carried forward as at SIGNED Georgia Burrows	01.04.2024 (date) 31.03.2025 (date) DATE:	£ 91,415.05
		46879.33
		56800.43
		89,390.05
		15/10/2025

DECLARATION BY THE SCHOOL FUND AUDITOR

SIGNED : _Janette Kennedy DATE : ___15/10/2025

I certify that the statement of account for the school fund for the period ending 31.03.2025 has been audited by me in accordance with the advice given by the Director of Children's Services and that the information shown above is correct.

DECLARATION BY THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

I have noted the information above. I will ensure that the Governing Body appoints a suitable auditor and I have noted that (s)he should receive your notes of guidance for school fund auditors.

SIGNED: P.Gibson PROFESSION:	P.Gibson	DATE: Senior Administrator	16.09.2025


DECLARATION BY THECHAIRMANOF GOVERNORS

SIGNED : _Tracey Bowman DATE : ___15/10/2025

Delete as appropriate

I certify that the statement of account referred to above, with the certificate of the school
fund auditor attached to it, has been received by the School Governors at their meeting
held on 15/10/2025 (date)
SIGNED: TraceyBowman DATE: 15/10/2025

When completed please return to: Schools Finance Team, Education & Cultural Services Directorate, Lincolnshire County Council, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YG.