GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS Annual Report 25 years recruiting school governors 2024-2025 Building exceptional boards 31st March 2025 Company no. 3879854 Charity no. 1078330 We supported the appointment of 1,833 governance volunteers in over 1,524 schools, academies, and trusts across England and Wales 400/0 of these volunteers are from -a-global majority background, 73 % are under 45, and 8 % identified as being LGBT+ Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Contents LecJal ond ciclininistrative Information 3-16 Report of t_lie Ti-LlStees 17-21 Independent ALJditors' Report to the Trustees 22 Stoteiiieiit G)f Finonciol Activities 23 IncoiTre oiicl l-xi)eiiditLire 24 Statement of Financiol Position 25 stoteimeiit ofr Casli Flows 26-34 Notes to tlie Financial Statements Page I GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Legal and administrative information Board of Trustees Dominic McGonigal (Choir) Sean Alleyne Neil Collins Einma Gregory Jocelyn Laiid loppointed 30 January 20251 Adrian McLeoii Mark TwigcJ lan Arimitoge Iresigned 30 January 20251 Angelo Moi-risli Iresigned 30'- January 2025) Anita Rolli (resigned 23 April 20241 Company Secretory Taro Hill Chief Executive Honnoli Stolton Registered Office Sycomore HoLise Sutton QLlOyS 8usiness Park Sutton Weover Runcorn England WA7 3EW Compony Registration number 3879854 Charity Registration number 1078330 Auditors AGP Chartered Accountants Sutton QLlOyS Business Pork Sutton Weover Runcorn WA7 3EH Bonkers Lloyds Bank Andover BX1 ILT Solicitors A&0 Shearman LLP One Bishops Squore London EI OAD Poge 2 GOVERNORS FO SCHOOLS , Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Introduction The Trustees preseiit tlieii- OliliLicII i-eport togetlier with the oudited finoncial stotenieiits for the yecii- eiidecl ,!Ift moi.ch 202J, which are also prepared to meet the reqLiireimeiits f 01- ci llii-ectoi '_ i-ei)01-t oiicl QCCOLints for Coimpaiiies Act purposes. Who are we? Structure Governors for Schools is o coiiipciiiy liinited by guarantee and a registered charity. The coiiipoiiy's Memoi-aiidLllii ciiicl 41-ticles of Association ore the priimary governing docunieiits. Objectives We faGilitote tlie I'eci-i_lifiiioiit Gll lil pliiceiiieiit of people witli busiiiess ond monogeiiient skills wlio oi"e williiiLJ to cjct os govei-nors arid trustees with the oim of strengtheiiing the govei-niiig bocii-ds of schools aiid multi-academy trusts. We believe this is of benef It to tlie i)Lil)lic tlirougk) the advanceiment of education by making available odvice aiid ossistoiice to all schools. Tlie coiiipoiiy i-eviews its ciiiiis, (ililPLtives oiicl activities eoch yeor eiisuriiig tliey reimoiri f ocused ori tlie Qnl1-SuPPOrt-t.kem-t0.d•>5O-, creating valuable links with industry". This year we doubled the number of volunteers reci-Lllted via OLir corporate partners. Having found that volunteers who are supported by their employer ore much more likely to stay in role, we continue to encourage employers to proimote governance to their stoff. Page 8 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Our recruitment services Funded Service Our free-to-access service continues to provide the majority of our volunteers with positions. Supported by our corporate partnerships, wve're able to provide a matching service to schools across Englond ond Wales and over the last year, over 1500 of our volunteers were placed via this route. 'OLir partnersliip witli C70vernors f'ni. .)cliools licis k)een invalLiable in connecting Amozon employees with locol scliools to Iiicike u difference in tlie education sector. Tlieir expert support and resources have enablprl LIS to create Imeoningful volunteering opportunities where our einployees con sliare tlieii. professional expertise vvliile developing their own leodersliip skills throLigli speciolised training Tliis colloboration has strengthened our COIMlnLinity engogement oiicl creol-pcl lasting iimpact in local scliools wliere It Inotters Irost. Tyler Anderson-Graham Almozon Enhance" Recruitment Service Launched this year, our Enhanced Recruitment Service has secured the appointment of just under 100 individuols. It's provided schools that are struggling to f ill their vacancies with o tailored offering that meets their needs. Our approach, which includes proactive outreach and headhunting• has also enabled the recruitment team to reach a previously untapped pool of volunteer talent. A great service delivei-liig cJi-ecit l-P£Lilts In iiiid-2024, the need orose to recruit tlie majority of a new Governing Boorcl InclLiclir)q o iiew chcjir, for a secondary that hod been re- brokered. The need wos urgent - beariiig in Irind liow long it can toke to find quolity, comimitted new governoi-s and pai-tICLilarly clioirs who can hit the grolind running. l used the Governors for Scliools service oiid witliin 5 Inonths liad been able to recruit a fLIII, bolanced governing boord of qLiolity coimiiiitted people bringing the necessary range and dept li of experieiice to _,Lll31)01-L ciiiil fjiclcl vcilLie to tlie scliool. Tlie process wos slick ond eosy to work witli. Tlicjiik YOLI Gov@1 I101-s f or Scliools. Phil Harris-Bridge Heoth Lane Accicleiny, i)ort of UiiitgG.l LecirnincJ TrLlSt Heath Lane Academy Page 9 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Our recruitment services Chai.. Recruitment Service Moving into its second year of operation, the Chair Recruitment Service has grown to meet the needs of the sector. With almost 60 chair appointments made in the past 12 months, we're working to strengthen governing boards through effective leadership. With additional support from the team at IGOVS, we're confident that volunteers can hit the ground running in this vital role and, over their term, make a sustainable long-term contribution to the board. Governors for Schools has successfully supported LIS Wltli recrLllting IMeiTTrbers f or our Local Academy Councils ILACS), so when vve needed to recruit a new LAC Cliair, their Choir Recruitment Service seemed a great lond cost effectivel option. The support we received was excellent. In the initiol conversotion, they really took time to understand our trust, the school and what we were looking for in a local Choir, which meant that they could focus their searcli. And we are deliglited to have successfully recruited a new Local Acodemy Chair within 4 months of Imaking initial contact with Gfs Emma Arnott Director of Governance and Development Forward Education Trust FORWARD EDUCATION TRUST Trustee Recruitment Service Our Trustee Recruitment Service grew by 700h in the last financial year, highlighting the strong demand and value it brings to the sector. In its third year, the service has continued to improve. with refined processes thot ensure volunteers and trusts receive excellent, specialist support that makes a real difference. Our "Becoming u Trustee" and "First 100 Days as a Trustee" eLearning modules are proving to be a vital resource for volunteers as they take up the role. "At SECAT, we recognise that strong governance is vital to tlie success and sustoinability of our Trust. Our partnership with Governors for Scliools over tlie past year has been o key part of strengthening our 8oard. Through the Trustee RecrLlitIMent Service ITRS), we liave successfully appointed individuals with the right skills, experieiice, and possion for education to help drive our strategic priorities forword Tlie process has been efficient, supportive, and tailored to our needs, with Goverr)ors for Schools taking a proactive rooch to understondin our context and re uirements Each Trustee recruited hos brought fresh perspectives, expertise, and a strong coiiiimitment to our mission, adding signif icant value to our leadership capacity We greatly appreciate the role Governors for Schools has played in supporting the sector and WOLild liicJhly recoinillend the Trustee Recruitment Service to other Trusts seeking to build sti-oiig, effective governance structures." Katy Love Governance Manager Southend East Community Academy Trust SECAT Page 10 GOVERNORS FO SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Partnerships and programmes Pathway to Governancr. Our Pathway to Governance Programme has gained significant momentum this year. Engaging young people with the opportunity through early support and an immersive mock board experience gives them the conf idence to step into the role and share their thoughts and perspectives. We've been delighted to run the programme for 9 cohorts. seeing 69 people graduate from the progromme, and a further 80 enrolled and progressing through the pathway. Our thanks go to the organisutions, trusts, and f oundations vvhose financial support enables us to run this programme. The prograimme hos been excelleiit. SOLircing and supporting o diverse and enthusiostic cohort to get tlieir first experieiice of school governarnce. Owen Rees eod of Ciovernor Services & Lo)Iiii"_)oiiiy f ecretory Caiiiclen LeariiiiicJ Working with corporate partners Over tlie post year, we've sti-engr.lieiiecl OLir partnerships witli employers of all sizes. With tlieir siipport, we've more tlion cloLII)Ipcl tlie nLiink)er of volLinteers recrLllted f rom tlieir teoiiis, enoblirng us to iiiciiiitciiii a f i-ee, c1ccessible service f or scliools. Tliis yeor, we're excited to hove laLinclied new ond successful partnerships with 11 additional orgoiiisotion Wp'i-p I'.!1 r-)[ i( I fo be exr)c117cliiig tlie ronge of indLlStries vve co1lobor￿te vvitli eiiricliiiicJ scliciol lirioii i_-Is wiLli n diverse orroy of skills It's been a privilege to lielp ploce their eimi3loyee.fj Iii I-Lile￿? r1cross tlie COLintry. Our partners ensLire tliot we cali Inrii ICJ cJreotei- diversity to boards Tlirough tlieir networks, we're oble to reocli volLlllteers wlio cloii't i-eolise thot the role Is open to tlieim. FLirther, tliey f reqLieiitly exi)ress ri qti-niig cle£ii-p to SLii3port scliools in the most disadvantaged oreas. ThroLigli our dedicoted Portiiei"sliips Managers, we're able to support them to have the iinpoct tliey want across EiicJlciiicl ciiicl Woles. 37% of volunteers recruited via our corporate partner r)etwork have been appointed cjt schools that serve underprivileged* communities 86% are under 45 44% are from the global majority "According to IDACI score Page ii GOVERNORS. SCHOOLS .: . Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Our corporate partnerships IBDO CLYDE&Co nationalgrid LLOYDS BANKING GROUP Admiral BANK OF ENGLANC citibank amazon Deloitte ioneAIM GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS Deutsche Bank BARCLAYS pwc A&0 SHEARMAN AtkinsRéalis British WESLEYAN OROYAL AIRFORCE Youth STEM 'II//. HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS C L l F F O R D C H A M C E &G irwinmitchell Page 12 GOVERNORS FOI SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 . Our university partnerships CAFIDIFF UNIVERSITY PRIFYSGOL CAEIIDYt9 HIJDDERsfiÉLD universiiyof WOIVFRHAMPTON Salford MANCHESTEft ING'S I_IX-. I--INI)()o)i_ LONDO LEICESTIR GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS IE,I Universityof Ea5lAnglia UIN11,' I..Il%l I')'I)I IIIMINCIll..INI UIN II'F.RSITYOF CAMBRIDGE OXFORD BROC)KF.S LSE IHE L(JNDQNScHODL ow Ecof40MICS POLITICthL5CIENCÉ 18?4 UNIVERSITY V DLlI-Iiaiii Edge Hill University Working with universities and the public sector With over 40 Liniversities Iiortnei-erl witli LIS oiid sliariiig recrLlitinent resoLirGes witli their people, we've beeii oljlp fo reci-Llit ni,'ei 400 volLlllteers ocross England and Wales Througli both stcff f aiicl alLimni networks 0111- I Iniversity i)ai-tners lielp LIS to f Lirtlier tlie geographicol reocli of skilled volLinteers oiid SLll3liOI t OLII drive to recrLlit yOLing governors Tliis yeor, we refi-esliecl resoLircef froi QLII- Liniversity and PLiblic sector portners to encoLiroge ongoincJ recrLiifiMent ric i-ol££ tlie yecii-. Oi-ganisotions can now easily access coininLlnlCations to proiiiote scliool oiovei-iicjiice oli OLir website. By working collaboratively witli university and PLiblic sectoi- 01-rjciiiiscitions, we're uble to identif y Colmmon goals in skill developiment and coinimLiniLy encJcicJeiMent, wliile successfully placing more people into school governonce roles. Page 13 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Our objectives for the year ahead To appoint over 1600 volunteers to governor and trustee roles. To engage more schools and trusts with OLir services, ensLiring tliey benef it from our support. To build on our current relationships with partners, and cleveloping new ones, to ensure we can continue to provide a "free-to-access" service for scliools. To run programmes, projects and campaigns wliich enable us to engage with rnew volunteers who have not previously considered tlie role To secure f unding and create o cleor potliway for the development of our charity, to ensure future sustoinability Good governance The trustees meet quorterly to monitor progress and Inake decisions concerning the strategic direction of the charity. The Chief Executive attends all boord rmeetings. The board opproves the annuol Business Plan and detailed bLidget. The staff of Governors for Schools are outhorised to work within the f roimework of tlie BLisiness Plon and bLidget under the direction of the Chief Executive. The trustees i-eceive reports from the Chief Executive, comprising financial, stotistical, ond other infoi-lnation to enable tliein to easure the company's performance ogainst bLidget, targets, ond objectives for the year. New trustees ore recruited to the boord os reqLiired ir) order to ensure thot the boord membership has the proper rornge of skills and competencies. A skills oudit is undertoken regulorly to identify gaps in expertise. None of the trustees receive remuneration or otlier benefit f roin their work with the charity. Any connection between a trustee or senior Imanoger of tlie charity must be disclosed to the full board of trustees. In the current yeor no such related party transactions were reported, other than as disclosed in the notes to the accounts. Risk management The Company has o comprehensive on-going and Llp-to-date risk register. The boord takes direct responsibility for Imanagement of risk in two IJLisiness criticol areas,. these areas are cessation or reduction of funding and the perforinance of the Chief Executive. The other risks ore designoted as operational and the Chief Executive is responsible for monitoring changes and alerting the board. Page 14 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Reserve policy Tlie trLlStees' current policy is to liol(_I SLif f Icieiit i-eserves to provide working capitol to Ineet contractecl coimiiiitrimeiits, Illillltliq 01)ercitincJ costs, oncl an organised wi nding down of tlie coinpony slioLiScl tlii£ pvpi. l)e i-eciLliI-ecl. Tliese reserves ore reflectecl Iii tlie i-_IpsicJiicited reserve fLind sliown in the accoLints Donotions f roim SLlPPOI't IiicJ orijciiiio'i 11 IL)IIS LII-P SOLiglit eai-ly in tlie f inoncial year to provide working capitol for tlie y@ni- cilieri(-I Reserves at the end of tlie year coiisisted of.. Restricted FLind £11,697 Designoted Fixed Asset FLind (to l)e motclied against futLire depreciation charges) £7,771 Designoted Reserve FLiiicI £321), 3fi8 Unrestricted FLincls of £223.7Ir Trustees, responsibilities The trLlStees Iwho ore also directoi"s of Governors for Schools for the PLirposes of coiYpor)y lowl aro responsible foi- iji ei)aring tlie TrLlStees' Annual Report ond the f inoncial statements in accordaiice witli cii)iiliccible low ond United Kingdoin Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Acceptecl AccoLinting PraGtIGel. Company law requires the trLlStees to prepare f inonciol stotpiiipnts for eoch f inonciol year. Uncler coimpany low tlie tl-LlSteeF ii)I I,-t Iiot opprove r.he financial stoteiments Linless tliey ore satisf iecl tlicit tliey riive fj.I fi-Lie rii Icl tciir view of tlie state of af f 011-s of the charitable colmpony ancl of tlie Ii"IcoiiiiirncJ i-e!0111-ce< aiicl application of resoLirces, inclLiding tlie incoine ond expenclitiire of tlie clicii Itcil)le coiiipaiiy for tliot period In preparing these f inoncial statements. tlie trLlSteg.! (-11"e i-eqLiirecl to". 3elect SLlltable OCCOLlliting policies and opply thein consistently Observe the metliocls ond priiicii?le.s in tlie Cliorities SORP Make iudgiments and estiimotes tlicit ol-e reasonable ond prLident state wlietSier applicable UK QCCOLinting stondords have been followed, subject to any departLires disclosecl oiicl exiilriiiipc.l iii tlie f iiioncial stateiiients Prepore tlie accoLlllts oli ri cJ(?IiioJ r.oncerii Iiosis Linless it is inoppi-opriate to presLime tliat the cliority will c.oiitlnLie Iii l)Lisiiiess Tlie trLlStees are respoiisible f or iiiciiiitciiiiing i)roper aCCOLinting records which disclose with reosonoble aCCLifcicy c1t cinv triii )p. flie Iincinciol13osition of tlie cliaritable company and to enoble their to eiisLlI-e tliat rli? ri(=COLints coirply witli tlie CoiMpcJnies Act 2006. Tliey ore also respoiisible for sof ecJLiarcliiiiJ tlie ossets of tlie clioritoble company and lience for toking reosonoble steps for tlie Inr•veiitioii ancl detection of f raud and other irregularities. Page 15 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Annual Report 2024 - 2025 Small Company Provision This report has been prepared in accordonce with tlie provisions opplicoble to companies entitled to the small companies, exemption. The Report of tlie TrLlStees' was signed on behalf of the board of directors On: /5- Jè2 J- Dominic McGonigol Chair of Trustees Page 16 GOVERNORS SCHOOLS Governors for Schools Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Trustees of Governors for Schools Year ended 31 March 2025 Opinion We have audited the financial ststements of Govèrnors for Schools (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, income and expenditure account, statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended., have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice-, have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basis for opinion 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 auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial slalemenls 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 wilh these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriale to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use ofthe going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial stalements is appropriate. Based on Ihe work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or condition5 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 financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 17 Governors for Schools Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Trustees of Governors for Schools (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Other information The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the trustees, report, other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial slatements does not cover the other information and, 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 information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or othe￿iSe appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Matters on which we are required to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities {Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the information given in the trustees, report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements," or sufficient accounting records have not been kept., or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purpose of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation offinancial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the truslees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basi5 of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 18 Governors for Schools Company Limlted by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Trustees of Governors for Schools (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Auditovs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS {UKI will always detect a material misststement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users laken on the basis of these financial slalements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.. Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. was as follows-. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations., we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with truslees and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector., we focused on specific laws and regulations whiGh we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operation5 of the charitable company,. we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence., and identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by- making enquiries of management as lo where they considered there was susceptibility lo fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we-. performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relation5hips', tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions. assessed whetherjudgements and assumption5 made in determining the accounting estimates 19 Governors for Schools Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Trustees of Governors for Schools (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 were indicative of potential bias., and investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions. In response to the risk of irregularitie5 and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to: agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation-, reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance- enquiring of management as to actual and potential liligation and claims,. and reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the charitable company's legal advisors. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulalions are from financial transactions, the less likely il is that we would become aware of non- compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-cornpliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAS (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also.. Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriale to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or Ihe override of internal control. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control. Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees. Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting uditieuiden¢wobtained_whether_a.material_uncertainly-exists-relate events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charily's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditorfs report to the related disc105ures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going Concern. Evaluate the overall presentation. structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner Ihat achieves fair presentation. 20 Governors for Schools Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Trustees of Governors for Schools (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scopè and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. AGP Chartered Accountants is eligible for appointment as auditor of the company by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees., as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company trustees, those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company s trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for thè opinions we have formed. AGP Chartered Accountants & statutory auditor Sycamore House Sutton Quays Business Park Sutton Weaver Runcorn Cheshire WA7 3EH .2025 21 GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS STA TEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31" March 2025 Note Restricted Funds Total Funds 202412025 Total Funds 202312024 Restricted Funds Income Income from Charitable Aclivities: Donations Grants Investment Income Chargeable Services Other Total Income 48,554 1,034,273 5,856 455.515 54.360 102,914 1,034,273 5,856 455,515 125,747 900,000 5.033 283,493 1544,198 54,360 1,598,558 1,314,273 Expenditure Expenditure on Charitable Activities". Raising funds Recruiting & Placement of School Governors Char&yeable Services Total Expenditure 240 860.729 240 908,392 230 998,167 47,663 466,503 1,327,472 466,503 1,375,135 310,050 1,308,447 47,663 Net (Expenditure) I Income for the Year Before Transfers Transfers between Funds.. 216,726 6,697 223,423 5,826 Net (Expenditure) I Income for the Year 216,726 6,697 223,423 5,826 Other Recognised Gains and Losses Net Movement in Funds 216,726 6,697 223,423 5,826 Reconciliation of Funds Balances brought forward at I April 2024 341,148 5,000 346,148 340,322 Balances carried forward at 31 March 2025 557,874 11,697 569,571 346,148 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from Continuing activities. 22 GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS INCOME & EXPENDITURE For the year ended 31" March 2025 TOTAL 202412025 TOTAL 202312024 Note Income Other Restricted Donations Unrestricted Grants Uni-esti-icted Other Unrestricted 54,360 48.554 1.0)4.273 461.371 1,598,558 20.000 105.747 900.000 288.526 1,314,273 Total Income Expenditure Salaries Other Operational Charges Depreciation 1.115,706 249.988 9,441 1,375,135 1,063,431 234,839 10,177 1,308,447 io Total Expenditure Surplus of expenditure over income 223,423 5,826 Net Transfer tolfrom Funds 223,423 5,826 Restricted fund Designated Fixed Asset Fund Designated Reserve Fund Unrestricted FLind 6,697 {6.405) 111,358 111.773 223,423 (1,683) (888) 8.397 5,826 23 GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION As at 31" March 2025 Note 202412025 202312024 Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets io 7,771 14,176 Current Assets Debtors & Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand li 55,647 683.964 739,611 96.770 366,682 463.452 Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 12 177,811 131,480 Net Current Assets 561,800 331,972 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 569,571 346,148 Net Assets 569,571 346,148 Funds Restricted Fund Designated Fixed Asset Fund Designated Reserve Fund Unrestricted Fund 13 11.697 7,771 326,358 223,745 569,571 5.000 14,176 215,000 111,972 346,148 For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exeinption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small coinpanies. Directors, responsibilities= The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for coinplying with the requirements of tlie Act with respect to accounting record5 and the preparation of financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the sinall companies, regime. These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on ned on behalf f tlie board by- NIC MCGONIGA AIR 24 GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As at 31" March 2025 202412025 202312024 Cash llows from operating activities Net incoine 223,423 5.826 Adjii.ftniei?Is.foi'- Depreciation and iinpairinent of taiigyible fixed assets Other i nterest receivable and similai. incoine Accrued (incoine)/expenses 9,441 (5.856) 67,739 10,177 {5,033} 5,805 ChaF7ges in.. Trade and other debtors and prepayinents Trade and other creditor5 41.123 (21,408) (43,634) 22,954 Casli gyenerated froin operations 314.462 (3.905) Interest received 5,856 5,033 Net cash (used in)Ifroin opei-ating activities 320.318 1,128 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible assets (3.036) (9,289) Net cash used in investing activities (3,036) (9,289) Net (decrea5c)lincrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 317.282 366.682 (8,161) 374.843 Cash and Cash equivalents at end of year 683,964 366,682 25 GOVERNORS FOR SCHOOLS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS General information The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, regislered in England and Wales and a registered charity tn England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Sycamore House, Sutton Quays Business Park, Sutton Weaver, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 3EH. ststement of eompliance The financial statements of the charitable coinpany, whicli is a public benefit entity, have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland,, the Statement of Recominended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006. Aeeounting Policies Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared on the lTristorical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financiLS RECRUITMENT SERVICE aovERNORY..4￿MgoLs RECRUITMENT SERVICE GOVERNOR¥~. SCH¢OL$ AND SUPPORT SERVICE.Tr GOVERNOR5',. $CI+OOL¥ i&0,. Governors for Schools is the legal entity for.diff erent recruitment services and is a registered charity in Englond and Wales No. 1078330