OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-08-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number: 1082226 Registered Company Number: 03983543

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The members of the Council who are the trustees of the charity and the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law, submit their report and the financial statements for the period ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities SORP (FRS102), second edition, in preparing the report and financial statements of the charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES Richard Adams Fr George Bowen Charles Doyle Paul Harrington (resigned 16 July 2024) George Maher Filipe Martins (appointed 15 October 2025) Daniel Wright ADMINISTRATOR/ Alice Robinson COMPANY SECRETARY REGISTERED OFFICE Seagrave Road London SW6 1RX INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Tracey Young HaysMac LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG BANKERS Lloyds Bank 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN CHARITY NUMBER 1082226 COMPANY NUMBER 03983543

2

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Friends of the London Oratory School (FLOS) is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 28 April 2000. It is governed by its memorandum and articles.

'The Charity is managed by employees of the school on a part time basis. Alice Robinson, Development Officer, has responsibility of the management of the Charity with the support of ancillary staff. Five Trustees/Directors are currently appointed to oversee the Charity. New Trustees are appointed by the Council of Trustees. The induction and training of new Trustees are dealt with on an ad hoc basis depending on their needs.

The Council meets not less than 3 times a year and at each Annual General meeting the longest serving Trustees representing one third of the total number of Trustees must retire but are eligible for re-election, if each so wishes. No Trustee received any remuneration or expenses during the year nor in the preceding year. The trustees who served during the year and are in office at the date of this report are shown on page 1.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

Like many charities the London Oratory School has increasingly been adopting digital technologies to streamline operations, reach a wider audience and improve fundraising efforts. The Toucan Tech online platform has been used more extensively but there is still scope to increase use of social media to interact with all parts of the school community.

We expect donors and parents generally to increasingly demand more transparency and accountability from the school as they do with all charities. To ensure that we meet this requirement we have increasingly focused on measuring and reporting the impact of charitable activities to demonstrate effectiveness.

There is a reputational risk for any charity from a lack of clarity in communicating precisely what they are raising income for. It is therefore essential, particularly in relation to future capital campaigns, that plans are fully costed and agreed before any requests are made for donations.

It is also important to ensure that robust accounting practices are in place to ringfence donations made for specific projects and that these are communicated regularly to both donors and the broader school community.

With regard to the risk of a drop in income from the Parental Contribution Scheme this remains given the continued cost of living crisis but, whilst the school is far from immune to macro market factors, it is well positioned to continue to grow its charitable income.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects are to promote and further the charitable aims and objectives of The London Oratory School and the welfare and education of the registered pupils in attendance at The London Oratory School.

The sole aim of the Charity is to oversee the management of a Parental Contribution Scheme.

The principal activities of the Charity each year are to raise funds primarily from parental contributions and to remit these funds to The London Oratory School as required.

The grant making policy of the Charity is to make funds available to The London Oratory School to fulfil the objects of the Charity.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees confirm that, in determining the activities of the Charity, they have paid regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

3

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

During the 18 month reporting period to 31 August 2025, following the formal extension of the Charity’s accounting year to align with the School’s academic year, the Friends of the London Oratory School recorded total income of £789,317 - an increase of 58% compared with £498,547 for the 12 months ended 31 March 2024. This extended period showed strong parental engagement, continued growth in regular giving and Gift Aid, and the completion of the transfer of residual funds from the London Oratory School Foundation (“the Foundation”).

Nationally, the charity sector in 2024–25 remained resilient despite economic pressures, with total UK giving estimated at £14.3 billion (Charities Aid Foundation, UK Giving Report 2025). Against this background FLOS performed strongly, maintaining donor confidence and demonstrating the generosity and commitment of the School community.

The main factors contributing to the 58% increase in income were:

During the year FLOS grants enabled vital projects such as the Sixth Form toilets, swimming-pool refurbishment, the Junior House playground and the first phase of the theatre refurbishment programme. In addition, FLOS continued to underwrite the School’s in-year deficit, helping to maintain high educational and pastoral standards despite public-funding constraints.

The Trustees record their appreciation for the exceptional generosity shown by parents, alumni and friends of the School, particularly following the challenges arising from the December 2023 fire. Their collective support exemplifies the strength of the London Oratory School community and the continuing importance of FLOS in sustaining excellence across every aspect of School life.

The Parental Contribution Scheme enhances the quality of the education of the 1,395 pupils at The London Oratory School, including the benefits above and beyond what is expected of a school in the state system, as evidenced by the results of the September 2022 Ofsted inspection which was outstanding in every category and by the rich co-curricular provision.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total income for the period was £789,317. Total expenditure was £1,271,901 which included grants to the School and its Schola choir of £1,060,278. Therefore, the charity had a net deficit of £482,584 hence, with funds brought forward of £1,174,409, ended the year with funds carried forward of £691,825.

4

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

STATUS OF THE CHARITY

Reserves position and policy

Total reserves at 31 August 2025 were £691,825 (31 March 2024: £1,174,409). All funds are unrestricted and the decrease reflects the excess of grants payable in the period over net funds raised in the period.

The Trustees are aware of the tough financial circumstances faced by the School and the School's efforts to save money. The School is working hard to reduce the in-year budget deficit that FLOS supports each year, in order to preserve funds in FLOS for future extra-ordinary grant giving. The Trustees believe it is prudent to hold the current level of reserves at the current time should the funding climate deteriorate further for the School. The charity needs a very low level of retained reserve and the balance is available to support the School.

Plans for the future

The Trustees do not expect any significant changes to occur in the objectives or activities of the Charity. However, the School's finances are being closely monitored for improvement to assess the need for any future contributions. If the general funding outlook for state schools sufficiently improves in coming years, the Trustees may consider using the built up reserves to fund capital building development projects at the School in line with that recently carried out in 2013-2016, the clear benefits of which have and will be enjoyed by many generations of pupils to come.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Friends of The London Oratory School for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the Council

Richard Adams (Trustee) Date: 14th April 2026

5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the friends of the London Oratory School for the period ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Act"). The trustees are satisfied that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable 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 the charitable company's accounts as carried out undersection 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination 1 have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity's income is in excess of £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in the 2011 Act. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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

  4. 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 applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

Tracey Young ACA HaysMac LLP Chartered Accountants

10 Queen Street Place London EC4R IAG

Date: 6 May 2026

6

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including an income and expenditure account) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Total
18 months 18 months 18 months Year ended
Notes ended 31
August 2025		 ended 31
August 2025		 ended 31
August 2025		 31 March
2024
£ £ £ £
INCOME FROM:
Donations
- Parental contributions 2 660,814 - 660,814 262,807
- Gift Aid tax reclaimable 2 105,273 - 105,273 77,321
- Donation from The London Oratory Foundation 2 2,370 - 2,370 136,465
Investments 3 20,860 - 20,860 21,954
Total 789,317 - 789,317 498,547
EXPENDITUREON:
Raising Funds 120,178 - 120,178 49,753
Charitable activity
Grants made to the London Oratory School 1,048,892 11,386 1,060,278 457,560
Support costs of grant-making 91,445 - 91,445 67,431
Total 4 1,260,515 11,386 1,271,901 574,744
NET (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (471,198) (11,386) (482,584) (76,197)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward		 1,163,023 11,386 1,174,409 1,250,606
Total funds carried forward 691,825 - 691,825 1,174,409

No summary income and expenditure account has been prepared because this information is given in the above statement.

All recognised gains and losses in the current and prior year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. All amounts relate to continuing activities

The notes numbered l to 9 form part of these financial statements.

6

Registered Company Number: 03983543

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

CURRENT ASSETS
Notes
As at 31
August 2025
As at 31
March 2024
Debtors
7
33,226
697,388
Cash at bank
663,999
619,003
697,225
1,316,391
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
8
(5,400)
(141,982)
NET ASSETS
691,825
1,174,409
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
691,825
1,163,023
Restricted Funds
9
-
11,386
Total
691,825
1,174,409		 CURRENT ASSETS
Notes
As at 31
August 2025
As at 31
March 2024
Debtors
7
33,226
697,388
Cash at bank
663,999
619,003
697,225
1,316,391
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
8
(5,400)
(141,982)
NET ASSETS
691,825
1,174,409
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
691,825
1,163,023
Restricted Funds
9
-
11,386
Total
691,825
1,174,409		 CURRENT ASSETS
Notes
As at 31
August 2025
As at 31
March 2024
Debtors
7
33,226
697,388
Cash at bank
663,999
619,003
697,225
1,316,391
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
8
(5,400)
(141,982)
NET ASSETS
691,825
1,174,409
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
691,825
1,163,023
Restricted Funds
9
-
11,386
Total
691,825
1,174,409

1,163,023
11,386

1,174,409

The notes numbered 1 to 9 from part of these financial statements.

The Trustees consider that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and the members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit for the period in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to company's subject to the small companies' regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 16th March 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Richard Adams (Trustee)

7

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the 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 (The FRS 102 Charities SORP — second edition), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, and Regulations made thereunder. The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS102

In the view of the trustees, in applying the accounting policies adopted no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year. The charity has only simple financial instruments such as cash, debtors and creditors.

Going Concern

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties which would cast doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis which is appropriate in the opinion of the Trustees given the level of nets assets held and the discretionary nature of a large portion of the expenditure.

Company Status

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England. The members of the company are the trustees. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £l per member. The registration number and registered office address are shown on page 2.

Income

Income comprises parental donations and related Gift Aid tax reclaimable, and investment income. All income is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Expenditure

Expenditures recognised in the period in which it is incurred and is classified under headings that aggregate costs as detailed below:

Expenditure on raising funds

Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charity with respect to fundraising efforts. They include direct costs, if any, and an allocation of support costs undertaken on a time allocation basis.

Expenditure on charitable activity

Charitable expenditure relates to grant payments to The London Oratory School, other direct costs of providing financial support for The London Oratory School arid an allocation of support costs undertaken on a time allocation basis. Grant expenditure is recognised when The London Oratory School notifies the charity of a contribution requirement and the value of that contribution requirement is communicated to The London Oratory School following its approval by the Trustees.

Support and governance expenditure

Support costs expenditure relates to those indirect costs which are necessary for the delivery of the charity's objectives and include items such as finance, administration, overheads and governance costs. The latter comprises costs of compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements including external scrutiny.

Assets and liabilities

Debtors and creditors are recognised on the balance sheet at transaction value and there are no items requiring subsequent re-measurement at fair value. Outstanding debtors are reviewed at the balance sheet date and the cost of the impairment of debtors, if any, is dealt with through expenditure.

Cash comprises readily available amounts held in UK bank accounts.

8

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Funds

The funds of the charity represent monies received not yet expended. Unrestricted can be expended at the trustees' discretion within the charitable purposes of the charitable company. Restricted funds must be spent in accordance with the donor’s instructions.

2.
DONATIONS
Parental contributions
Gift aid tax reclaimable
Donation from The London Oratory Foundation
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Bank deposit interest
4.
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE
2025
Costs of raising voluntary income
Charitable activity - financial support for The London
Oratory School
Schola grant
2024
Costs of raising voluntary income
Charitable activity - financial support for The London
Oratory School		 2025
£
660,814
105,273
2,370
768,457
2025
£
20,860
Grants
£
Support Costs
(note 5)
£
-
120,178
1,034,178
91,445
26,100
-
1,060,278
211,623
Grants
£
Support Costs
(note 5)
£
-
49,753
457,560
67,431
457,560
117,184		 2024
£
262,807
77,321
136,465
476,593
2024
£
21,954
Total
2025
£
120,178
1,125,623
26,100
1,271,901
Total
2024
£
49,753
524,991
574,744

Support costs includes governance costs relating to the Independent Examination of the accounts being £3,425 +VAT in respect of the Independent Examiner's fee in respect of her report (2024: £3,300 +VAT).

9

FRIENDS OF THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS

2025
Finance
£
Admin
£
Overhead
£
Raising Funds
7,221
12,452
100,505
Charitable activity
14,442
24,903
52,100
21,663
37,355
152,605
2024
Finance
£
Admin
£
Overhead
£
Raising Funds
5,623
9,561
34,569
Charitable activity
11,248
19,123
37,060
16,871
28,684
71,629		 2025
£
120,178
91,445
211,623

2024
£
49,753
67,431
117,184

Recharged employment costs of £57,469 (2024: £44,130) are included within finance and administration costs and have been allocated on the basis of estimated time spent by the relevant staff. External accounting costs and overhead costs have been allocated similarly.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the period (2024: £nil). No expenses were reimbursed to any Trustee nor paid out on any Trustee's behalf (2024: £nil). Two trustees serving in the year, Dan Wright and Charles Doyle (until 2 June 2025) were also Governors of the School, with Dan Wright being employed as Headmaster of the School. Fr George Bowen is a member of the Fathers of the London Oratory in whom the freehold interest in the School estate is ultimately vested. Charles Doyle is an employee of the School as its Director of Finance. None of the aforementioned Trustees and staff have personally benefitted from any funds raised and contributed to the School by the Charity. Alice Robinson, who is an employee of the school, was responsible for the management of the Charity and another employee of the school provided bookkeeping services. Part of their employment costs was recharged to the charity as set out in note 5. At 31 August 2025 accruals included £- due to the School (2024 £16,582) for clerical costs. At 31 March 2024 the School had a balance of interest-free loans from the Charity of £685,143, of which £295,000 was repaid by the School during the period, and the rest was converted to grants.

7.

7.

9.

DEBTORS
2025
£
Loan to London Oratory School
-
Prepayments and accrued income
33,226
33,226
CREDITORS: amount falling due within one year
2025
£
Accruals
5,400
Grants payable to The London Oratory School
-
5,400
RESTRICTED FUNDS
2025
£
Restricted Punds—income in year and closing balance held in cash
-		 2024
£
685,143
12,245
697,388
2024
£
21,982
120,000
£141,982
2024
£
11,386

Restricted funds were used for improvements works on London Oratory School's Junior House playground.

10